Just a brief update to let you know how I have been getting on…

Hi Everyone,

Just a brief update to let you know how I have been getting on…

I competed at the Aviva World Trials two weeks ago, coming 2nd and narrowly missing winning the race by just 0.4seconds.

I was disappointed not to have won the race as this would have secured my place on the Team for the World Championships in Berlin, however I was really pleased with the way I ran as I love Championship races and I ran my own race with intent to win.

I qualified for the final comfortably and going into the race I knew who my competition would be. When the gun went, the first lap was exceptionally slow. Instinctively I knew that this would make the race a tactical one compared to a race that would be run fast from the start.

Having discussed my race strategy with my coach Mick Woods, a lap and a half into the race I moved myself up the field. With 900 metres until the finish, I took the initiative to take the lead and I increased the pace quite significantly by running a 62 second lap compared to the 71 second first lap! I felt exceptionally strong and I was not afraid to front run the race on my own as I knew I needed to control my own destiny.

I continued to hit the last 300 metres hard however being at the front made me more of a target for the girls behind who were working together. With 90 metres to the finish I was overtaken by the eventual winner, Charlene, however I responded well with 50 metres to go and I ran strongly all the way to the line which secured my World Trial’s silver medal.

The team selection for Berlin still hasn’t been announced yet. The announcement will be made on Monday after the Aviva Grand Prix event at Crystal Palace this weekend.

I will be competing there on Saturday, in the 1500m at 15.31! A very precise time I know, but this is for the sake of the BBC’s television coverage. I am racing against a really good domestic field as well as Rowbury and Willard from America.

I am very excited to race as there will be a pace maker which will help me run a fast time. As we are approaching the World Championships, athletes are posting fast times and Crystal Palace is a great place to compete as there is always a fantastic crowd which really cheer you on so this will hopefully give me an advantage over my international opposition.

Training has gone well and I even fitted in a little extra on Wednesday when I went to Trafalgar Square to support the McCain Track and Field road show. I was joined by other McCain Ambassadors including Emma Pallant, Marilyn Okoro, Perri Shakes-Drayton inside what best could be described as a huge ‘inflatable athletics spaceship’! Inside the ‘tardis’ (which almost covered the entire square) were different zones which gave people the opportunity to try out different athletic disciplines including sprinting, throwing, jumping and reaction time tests to see the publics hidden athletic ability. Advice was on offer from local athletic coaches and it was a great day where I met lots of people and I saw lots of competitive characters who have the potential to go on and be athletes themselves! There was a real buzz about the whole day and it was great to talk to so many people, excited about the Olympic Games coming to London.

It was also a really satisfying day, not only because many of the people I spoke to either already enjoyed sport but some were considering joining their local athletics club. I know what joining my local athletics club has meant to me, so I really hope I may see some familiar faces in the future!

Now that I have finished this blog, I am going to be shouting at the telly all night, cheering on athletes competing at Crystal Palace and then I will start to unwind ready for my race tomorrow by reading my book (still One Day by David Nicholls) and by listening to some music.

I am ready to race well so hopefully the next time I write to you I will have secured my place on the team heading to the World Championships!

Wish me luck and I will write to you again soon!

Stephanie

Xx LONDON 2012 xX