Two weeks in Sri Lanka should have sorted me right out: I left with the usual feeling of work getting on top and had a busted rib or three from my first training session with Stuart (my opponent for The Judo Challenge).
But this is me folks - I have returned fully chilled and recharged but guess what? While I was away I managed to get another cracked rib!
One man's accidental quest to complete a challenge in EVERY Olympic Sport
Friday, 1 April 2011
Monday, 7 March 2011
Judo Challenge Training: First Randori
Waking up yesterday morning at my brothers house was not unusual, I wasn't there because I'd had a fight with the missus...but I was there for a fight, several in fact - this is the tale of my first Judo Randori.
Arriving at Camberley Judo Club we (I'd taken my brother along to take photos) met up with Coach Skillcorn and were introduced to Samantha Lowe - we were in the company of 2 of GBs finest so I couldn't let on that I was nervous about the next few hours.
Shortly after we arrived my fellow students rolled in, each sporting a gi (the name of the kit worn by these double hard dudies) with a different coloured belt, clearly they'd done this before.
We started with the same drills as per my first lesson, hidden within the warm up exercises were the building blocks to many judo techniques.
Within the warm up we played touch American football - this enabled us to get the heart rates going, worked as an ice-breaker between myself and my fellow students and incorporated some of the ducking and weaving skills that we would need for what was to come.
Next we were placed into pairs and the randori began...
Randori is a term used in many martial arts, in judo it refers to one-on-one bouts, while in other disciplines one player may be attacked by any number of opponents, one at a time, with the central player tasked with defending different attack methods.
For the next two hours the randori evolved to the wishes of Coach Skillcorn; periods of bouting would be punctured by fresh skills being taught, which we then looked to apply as the randori developed from floor level to standing combat.
While I managed to get involved in most of the lesson, there were stages which I sat out and during these I looked to watch and learn from my peers while I mopped sweat from every pore and tried to catch my breath.
During one of the final pairings I managed to drop a big buy ( I think he may have let me), but my sweep on his hampstring left me with a dead leg - he was built like Arnie I swear.
Once the randori was over I met my rival for The Judo Challenge - keep April 23rd free in your diaries folks, more on that to come later.
Coach Skillcorn had convinced Stuart to take part in my challenge, he'd been bringing his son for lessons at the dojo for a few years and had often mentioned he'd like to take up the sport.
He seemed like a really sound chap, though we weren't here just to get acquainted, with sweat still dripping from my brow we started a lesson that would last over an hour - covering some basic floor moves, including techniques which were new to myself.
Pain shot through the centre of my chest and in 2 areas just below my shoulder blades, we'd been practising a method of rolling your opponent when I felt and heard bones crack as Stuart practised the move on me.
Not wanting to make much of a fuss yet in pain, I took a break out of the next few moves, the pain subsided but I wasn't sure whether there was any damage.
Last nights sleep I can tell you was not the most comfortable.
More to come on The Judo Challenge day at Camberley Judo Club on April 23rd in the coming days.
Arriving at Camberley Judo Club we (I'd taken my brother along to take photos) met up with Coach Skillcorn and were introduced to Samantha Lowe - we were in the company of 2 of GBs finest so I couldn't let on that I was nervous about the next few hours.
Shortly after we arrived my fellow students rolled in, each sporting a gi (the name of the kit worn by these double hard dudies) with a different coloured belt, clearly they'd done this before.
We started with the same drills as per my first lesson, hidden within the warm up exercises were the building blocks to many judo techniques.
 |
| Honestly, I wasn't parping in this photo...I wasn't! |
Next we were placed into pairs and the randori began...
 |
| I get pinned down during the floor work |
For the next two hours the randori evolved to the wishes of Coach Skillcorn; periods of bouting would be punctured by fresh skills being taught, which we then looked to apply as the randori developed from floor level to standing combat.
 |
| Learning how to throw and be thrown |
During one of the final pairings I managed to drop a big buy ( I think he may have let me), but my sweep on his hampstring left me with a dead leg - he was built like Arnie I swear.
Once the randori was over I met my rival for The Judo Challenge - keep April 23rd free in your diaries folks, more on that to come later.
 |
| Stuart, Coach Skillcorn and a fat bearded lad some call The Everyman Olympian |
He seemed like a really sound chap, though we weren't here just to get acquainted, with sweat still dripping from my brow we started a lesson that would last over an hour - covering some basic floor moves, including techniques which were new to myself.
Pain shot through the centre of my chest and in 2 areas just below my shoulder blades, we'd been practising a method of rolling your opponent when I felt and heard bones crack as Stuart practised the move on me.
Not wanting to make much of a fuss yet in pain, I took a break out of the next few moves, the pain subsided but I wasn't sure whether there was any damage.
Last nights sleep I can tell you was not the most comfortable.
 |
| My day finished with frozen veg on my dead leg & 2 more packs on my ribs but I loved it! |
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Training: Week #54ish
After a 4 mile run around my brother's home village of Hook in leafy Hampshire the evening before, I was feeling chirpy though slightly anxious as I set off in the car with said brother to start my training for The Judo Challenge.
Saturday 26th February
I'd managed to meet Coach Skillcorn the week before and he'd assured me that I wouldn't simply be used like a rag doll into the dojo (the name of the room where you practice Judo is the same the world over).
My little/older/wiser/marathon running/brother had come along to take some photos and possibly drive the car back if I was a broken man at the end.
The hour long session started with exercise drills that would later prove to incorporate actual Judo techniques - I hadn't realised at the time I was sliding along on the mats that I was already starting on my path to Judo mediocrity.
Sweating from the warm up drills I then began to learn basic Ne Waza (kneeling techniques) and Osae Komi Waza (holding down techniques) before moving on to escaping methods, Kensestu Waza (arm locks) and Shime Waza (strangles and chokes)...there Waza lot to remember! (apologies Coach).
I'd started training for Sport 13 and found another one I instantly liked!
Sunday 27th
Coach Skillcorn had kindly emailed me some training tips which I could do away from the dojo and in the hotel gym as I was away all week, so that eve I was back on a rowing machine for the first time in a while.
Set to Level 7, I did 10 1 minute splits: 1 minute hard rowing, followed by 1 minute going slow x10.
I maxed out at 340 watts on the first minute and struggled to hit 250 watts regularly on the 10th set - this was before I found the Average Watts setting.
The idea of recording the watts was to gauge stamina - the aim being to maintain similar levels throughout the rowing session, clearly I had work to do.
Afterwards I got on the cross trainer for a bit, then hit the showers.
Monday 28th
In the evening I joined my workmates for 5-a-side footie, had a cracking hour (literally - shins clashed with my closest colleague, bruised bones) and managed to score a goal - I'm no player as my mates will testify so I was over the moon.
Tuesday 1st March
On the treadmill early bells and managed to get a new PB for 3 miles before work, 26:26 - not rapid I know but as a fat lad I was chuffed!
In the evening after work I headed back to the gym and repeated my rowing training for Judo, this time I used the average watts setting and managed 257watts on my first set, 191 watts on my 10th at Level 7.
Wednesday 2nd
My tweet after the morning session in the gym said it all:
In the evening I drove to Wrexham to meet Coach Morris to begin The Shooting Challenge...
The hospitality of Coach Morris & his wife Karen was so welcoming and a real treat after nights alone in my hotel, I felt very humbled in the presence of two such prominent folk in the world of Shooting.
During my first lesson I was shown the precious, hand crafted guns used for this technical event, had my handle shaped to suit my hand (amazingly they are made of wood!), discovered I would be able to use the very gun Coach Morris himself hopes to use in the Commonwealth Games 2014 - how generous and cool is that!! - and all the while I wore the shooting frames to enable me a chance to get used to only using my shooting eye.
2 and a half hours later I left with the confidence that we could do this, I had homework and a method of mimicking the shooting frames - game on!
Thursday 3rd
A morning visit to the hotel pool to test out whether 20 years away from front crawl (freestyle) had taken their toll didn't go so well - the pool was more suited to leisurely souls and too busy to really get any lessons learned, so I opted for 20 mins in the sauna instead.
Feeling disgruntled with my last 2 gym visits I was determined to improve on my rowing, so I upped the difficulty to Level 10 and the attitude paid off: I managed an average of 235 watts in Set 1 and finished Set 10 with an average of 221 watts.
Friday 4th
I looked down at the clock as I hit the 3 mile mark on the treadmill, I'd felt like poop for the last ten minutes but a smile broke out when I saw I'm equalled my PB of 26:26.
Happy Days
Saturday 26th February
I'd managed to meet Coach Skillcorn the week before and he'd assured me that I wouldn't simply be used like a rag doll into the dojo (the name of the room where you practice Judo is the same the world over).
My little/older/wiser/marathon running/brother had come along to take some photos and possibly drive the car back if I was a broken man at the end.
The hour long session started with exercise drills that would later prove to incorporate actual Judo techniques - I hadn't realised at the time I was sliding along on the mats that I was already starting on my path to Judo mediocrity.
Sweating from the warm up drills I then began to learn basic Ne Waza (kneeling techniques) and Osae Komi Waza (holding down techniques) before moving on to escaping methods, Kensestu Waza (arm locks) and Shime Waza (strangles and chokes)...there Waza lot to remember! (apologies Coach).
 |
| Coach Skillcorn shows me how to taste my own Adam's Apple |
Sunday 27th
Coach Skillcorn had kindly emailed me some training tips which I could do away from the dojo and in the hotel gym as I was away all week, so that eve I was back on a rowing machine for the first time in a while.
Set to Level 7, I did 10 1 minute splits: 1 minute hard rowing, followed by 1 minute going slow x10.
I maxed out at 340 watts on the first minute and struggled to hit 250 watts regularly on the 10th set - this was before I found the Average Watts setting.
The idea of recording the watts was to gauge stamina - the aim being to maintain similar levels throughout the rowing session, clearly I had work to do.
Afterwards I got on the cross trainer for a bit, then hit the showers.
Monday 28th
In the evening I joined my workmates for 5-a-side footie, had a cracking hour (literally - shins clashed with my closest colleague, bruised bones) and managed to score a goal - I'm no player as my mates will testify so I was over the moon.
Tuesday 1st March
On the treadmill early bells and managed to get a new PB for 3 miles before work, 26:26 - not rapid I know but as a fat lad I was chuffed!
 |
| Personal Best's don't always look pretty! |
Wednesday 2nd
My tweet after the morning session in the gym said it all:
'Could only manage 2 miles in 18,24 today...shins, calves, knees, toes - all aching with different pains. Gutted'
In the evening I drove to Wrexham to meet Coach Morris to begin The Shooting Challenge...
The hospitality of Coach Morris & his wife Karen was so welcoming and a real treat after nights alone in my hotel, I felt very humbled in the presence of two such prominent folk in the world of Shooting.
During my first lesson I was shown the precious, hand crafted guns used for this technical event, had my handle shaped to suit my hand (amazingly they are made of wood!), discovered I would be able to use the very gun Coach Morris himself hopes to use in the Commonwealth Games 2014 - how generous and cool is that!! - and all the while I wore the shooting frames to enable me a chance to get used to only using my shooting eye.
 |
| My 1st Shooting lesson with Coach Morris |
Thursday 3rd
A morning visit to the hotel pool to test out whether 20 years away from front crawl (freestyle) had taken their toll didn't go so well - the pool was more suited to leisurely souls and too busy to really get any lessons learned, so I opted for 20 mins in the sauna instead.
Feeling disgruntled with my last 2 gym visits I was determined to improve on my rowing, so I upped the difficulty to Level 10 and the attitude paid off: I managed an average of 235 watts in Set 1 and finished Set 10 with an average of 221 watts.
Friday 4th
I looked down at the clock as I hit the 3 mile mark on the treadmill, I'd felt like poop for the last ten minutes but a smile broke out when I saw I'm equalled my PB of 26:26.
Happy Days
Monday, 28 February 2011
Crouch, Touch, Pause...Engage!
I spent a day at Warrington Wolves stadium this week - I know, Rugby is not a sport in the Olympics, but read on and you'll understand why...
While I was at this Rugby League ground because the company I work for were using their meeting rooms to host an all-dayer to preach to the foot soldiers like myself I couldn't help but think of the wisdom issued by referee's prior to scrums in their rival sport, Rugby Union...
I'm not going to use this as a forum to debate the merits of League vs Union or vice versa, all I'm saying is that the strategy voiced in Union's four words: Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage, cannot be overlooked for its simplicity and greatness.
Crouch: Prepare yourself.
We've all heard the old adage 'Failure to Prepare, is Preparation for Failure' - surely not a truer statement has ever been made?!
When was the last time you charged into a situation without thinking about it first and come out with a 100% successful conclusion?
Touch: Confirm your position.
Know where you stand and how you fit in to the area where you want to gain success.
When you research a subject you should also look to research yourself; What factors are required of your chosen field? Which attributes do you have that suit these factors?
Pause: Check your information, then check it again.
Think through your plan of attack, is the information you've referenced to form your strategy complete? Is it correct? (never rely on just 1 source for information).
Engage: Go for it!
With the other steps adhered to you're now best equipped for success - but if you do fail use the lessons you've learned to plan your attempt...true success is born of the lessons learned from failure!
Righto, enough preaching from me - back to the fun and sport and meetings of interesting peoples...
While I was at this Rugby League ground because the company I work for were using their meeting rooms to host an all-dayer to preach to the foot soldiers like myself I couldn't help but think of the wisdom issued by referee's prior to scrums in their rival sport, Rugby Union...
I'm not going to use this as a forum to debate the merits of League vs Union or vice versa, all I'm saying is that the strategy voiced in Union's four words: Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage, cannot be overlooked for its simplicity and greatness.
Crouch: Prepare yourself.
We've all heard the old adage 'Failure to Prepare, is Preparation for Failure' - surely not a truer statement has ever been made?!
When was the last time you charged into a situation without thinking about it first and come out with a 100% successful conclusion?
Touch: Confirm your position.
Know where you stand and how you fit in to the area where you want to gain success.
When you research a subject you should also look to research yourself; What factors are required of your chosen field? Which attributes do you have that suit these factors?
Pause: Check your information, then check it again.
Think through your plan of attack, is the information you've referenced to form your strategy complete? Is it correct? (never rely on just 1 source for information).
Engage: Go for it!
With the other steps adhered to you're now best equipped for success - but if you do fail use the lessons you've learned to plan your attempt...true success is born of the lessons learned from failure!
Righto, enough preaching from me - back to the fun and sport and meetings of interesting peoples...
Friday, 25 February 2011
The Everyman Olympics 1st Birthday!
 |
| Some Birthday candle eh?! |
I began my mission to tackle every sport in the Games, rather conveniently on my 33rd Birthday, this week I turned 34 on The Everyman Olympics 1st Birthday!
Personally I believe that when most of us arrive at our 30's we take an introspective look at ourselves, reminisce on what we've done so far and reassess what we want to achieve - then work out how to get it.
I guess I took a little longer than most to work out my goals; What would I like to do with my life? (Probably the only question we ALL share).
When I started out with the idea for The Everyman Olympics I didn't do any regular sport, had the dietary habits of a fast food restaurant employee on the late shift who happened to like a drink straight after work, and the hand-eye coordination of an elephant...I looked like this:
I weighed 14 stone 4 pounds (200lbs / 90.9kg) and had the physique of a bag of spuds.
The facial hair may have calmed down since then (though if you follow me you'll know that at one stage I had a ginger hedge for a head), I now look like this:
I weighed 13 stone 7 pounds (189lbs / 85.9kg) when I stood on the scales the morning of my 34th and while I'm still chasing the original goal of losing a stone, my physique is starting to look more toned (less spud-like) and there are firm bumps where loose lumps once roamed.
I've met some very excellent people along my journey from swimming pool attendants to former World Record holders, but I've still got miles to go!
So far I've tackled Rowing, Badminton, Running, Weightlifting, Road Cycling, Tennis, Canoeing, Decathlon, Swimming, Table Tennis, and am midway through Water Polo and Fencing...oh and now I'm starting Judo tomorrow!
Judo will be my 13th sport of 38, making me officially a 3rd of the way there...and it only took 1 year.
Please check out this page and if you can help with a sport I've yet to achieve or want to get involved then please get in touch:
Or if you simply want to wish me a Happy Birthday! then add a comment below...Cheers!
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Sprint advice from Team GBs finest
In my quest to perfect my training techniques as I look to do each sport for The Everyman Olympics justice I was able to meet up with Team GB's 400m ace Martyn Rooney today.
After waking up early at the missus in the Midlands I logged onto Twitter and couldn't believe my luck when Martyn replied to tweet of mine - he'd be training at Loughborough University's HiPAC - High Performance Athletics Centre.
Rooney is a Double Olympic Finalist & World Medalist, so I figured he could teach me a thing or too about the most dreaded of track events - the 400 metres sprint.
I know what you're thinking - I've already completed The Decathlon Challenge (I just need to post the report...it is coming....honest!) BUT I've recently managed to get the opportunity to do another one - against real Olympians!!!
This next Decathlon will happen in Summer...hopefully...I'll keep you posted.
When I arrived at HiPAC Martyn was coming towards the end of a training session on the outdoor track, so I introduced myself as he walked back from one of his 150m sprints and then popped back inside the impressive building to wait for him to finish.
While I waited I had a chance to watch some of GBs finest talent train hurdles, sprinting and javelin - I know the latter sounds weird indoors but in the centre they have a purpose built area for this and use javelins without a point on them.
We spoke for around half an hour about everything from running technique to competing at the Olympic Games to legends Martyn knew and had trained with to the difference in training facilities here and in the US to preparations for London 2012.
I was buzzing when I left, I knew how to approach the toughest of the Decathlon races and I think there was even a mutual admiration as Martyn had asked about my quest and seemed to really like the idea of someone willing to attempt every sport.
It was a real privilege to meet a great athlete and a top bloke, I wish him all the best with prep for the World Championships in South Korea this August and come the Olympic Games I aim to be in the stadium cheering him on.
After waking up early at the missus in the Midlands I logged onto Twitter and couldn't believe my luck when Martyn replied to tweet of mine - he'd be training at Loughborough University's HiPAC - High Performance Athletics Centre.
Rooney is a Double Olympic Finalist & World Medalist, so I figured he could teach me a thing or too about the most dreaded of track events - the 400 metres sprint.
 |
| Martyn Rooney: Double Quick |
I know what you're thinking - I've already completed The Decathlon Challenge (I just need to post the report...it is coming....honest!) BUT I've recently managed to get the opportunity to do another one - against real Olympians!!!
This next Decathlon will happen in Summer...hopefully...I'll keep you posted.
When I arrived at HiPAC Martyn was coming towards the end of a training session on the outdoor track, so I introduced myself as he walked back from one of his 150m sprints and then popped back inside the impressive building to wait for him to finish.
While I waited I had a chance to watch some of GBs finest talent train hurdles, sprinting and javelin - I know the latter sounds weird indoors but in the centre they have a purpose built area for this and use javelins without a point on them.
We spoke for around half an hour about everything from running technique to competing at the Olympic Games to legends Martyn knew and had trained with to the difference in training facilities here and in the US to preparations for London 2012.
I was buzzing when I left, I knew how to approach the toughest of the Decathlon races and I think there was even a mutual admiration as Martyn had asked about my quest and seemed to really like the idea of someone willing to attempt every sport.
It was a real privilege to meet a great athlete and a top bloke, I wish him all the best with prep for the World Championships in South Korea this August and come the Olympic Games I aim to be in the stadium cheering him on.
 |
| Martyn meets a massive beard wearing a fat lad |
Monday, 7 February 2011
The Decathlon Challenge: Training
Aged 33 I have 2 distinct memories of the sport of choice I had in mind for this challenge, undertaken back in September, and they both involved the same man...
Watching arguably Great Britain's Greatest Ever Olympian at global athletics events on the tellybox as a nipper ...Daley Thompson.
And playing Daley Thompson on the game named after him on my old computer: Daley Thompson's Decathlon - the 1500m final took place in real time! You had to keep the animinated DT running for nearly 4 whole minutes - kids got blisters just getting the great man through this one event!
During The Canoeing Challenge I met a really sound chap called Henry - I'd later knock him off of his canoe but that's another story - he's a chilled fella who it turns out, happens to also be really good at the javelin.
Once I'd found this out I quizzed the man and he hooked me up with Clive, the man responsible for running Saffron Lane Sports Centre in Leicester.
Clive was probably a touch bemused by the request I made but nevertheless agreed that a few mates and I could come down to the club one Saturday in September and attempt to compete in our very own Decathlon.
There was just one issue he did highlight though: while the club owned the equipment for the Pole Vault, they didn't actually own any poles - not a problem I thought, I'd just get in touch with someone and borrow one...that'd be easy, right?!
Having booked a date I set about recruiting competitors; I asked friends, friends of friends, and spread the word on social networking sites.
I also made an effort to get in touch with actual athletes who might be able to provide tips for training and technique, in this respect I didn't get on too badly...
I broke the events down by category, thinking this would help with training:
3 Throwing Events = Shot Put, Javelin & Discus
3 Jumping Events = Long Jump, High Jump and Pole Vault
4 Running Events = 100m, 110m Hurdles, 400m and 1500m
I figured that if I could build a good pace for the 1500m, then shorten the distance and increase the pace that I'd soon nail the flat sprints...
I'd emailed local legend Dean Macey, Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist for the Decathlon in 2006, here's his advice on this matter:
'First thing with training for the Decathlon is to remember that most of the events need power and speed, so don't waste to much time on training for the 1500m as its only one event in ten'.
Ah...
I ditched my plans to run 1500m sets along the sea road at this point and relocated to Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre (which has an actual athletics) track from then on, where they had the equipment required for all 10 events.
'Power and Speed', Deano's words rang around in my head...thinking I had more power than speed already, I opted to train on my sprinting ability - as a 16 sec/100m guy at school I knew I'd need to put the work in...
I'm pretty sure that 100 metres never looked so long before. On my first attempt I started to fade after the first 40 metres - this was gonna be harder than I thought.
Twitter came in handy once again - this time I asked former European & Commonwealth 400m Champion Iwan Thomas MBE for some sprint training tips which sounded ace but to be honest I simply wasn't fit enough to follow them to the letter.
With a few weeks till the day of the Decathlon I looked to increase my focus on the other events, first up I borrowed a set of hurdles from the very helpful team at the sports centre.
I'm mythed how the pros manage this! I'm not kidding - even at 6ft tall, with hurdles set to competition height they're up beyond my hips...its like doing 10 High Jumps at speed, head on!
Keeping the sprint and hurdles training going (albeit with the hurdles set a few notches lower), I looked to add in some of the field events...
I used to throw Shot Put for my school as nipper so I had some idea on what to do with one, while the discus would take some effort to learn and I sought advice from the very best on the Javelin...
No, not from Henry as you may have thought but from former World Record holder (not to mention Olympic Silver & Bronze medalist, European & Commonwealth Champion!!!), Steve Backley OBE.
Armed with tips I again went back to the great folk of Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre and asked to borrow the three items that would help me train for the field events..and was denied!!
Seems for 'Health & Safety' reasons I needed to have certain athletics qualifications to use the blooming equipment - I was gutted, but I gather their insurance wouldn't cover them I speared myself / dropped the shot on my foot / smashed my teeth out with the discus...so I couldn't complain, they were simply doing their jobs.
I would have to learn a hell of a lot from my first attempts on the Big Day...
...to be continued...
Watching arguably Great Britain's Greatest Ever Olympian at global athletics events on the tellybox as a nipper ...Daley Thompson.
 |
| What an Athlete! |
And playing Daley Thompson on the game named after him on my old computer: Daley Thompson's Decathlon - the 1500m final took place in real time! You had to keep the animinated DT running for nearly 4 whole minutes - kids got blisters just getting the great man through this one event!
During The Canoeing Challenge I met a really sound chap called Henry - I'd later knock him off of his canoe but that's another story - he's a chilled fella who it turns out, happens to also be really good at the javelin.
Once I'd found this out I quizzed the man and he hooked me up with Clive, the man responsible for running Saffron Lane Sports Centre in Leicester.
Clive was probably a touch bemused by the request I made but nevertheless agreed that a few mates and I could come down to the club one Saturday in September and attempt to compete in our very own Decathlon.
There was just one issue he did highlight though: while the club owned the equipment for the Pole Vault, they didn't actually own any poles - not a problem I thought, I'd just get in touch with someone and borrow one...that'd be easy, right?!
Having booked a date I set about recruiting competitors; I asked friends, friends of friends, and spread the word on social networking sites.
I also made an effort to get in touch with actual athletes who might be able to provide tips for training and technique, in this respect I didn't get on too badly...
I broke the events down by category, thinking this would help with training:
3 Throwing Events = Shot Put, Javelin & Discus
3 Jumping Events = Long Jump, High Jump and Pole Vault
4 Running Events = 100m, 110m Hurdles, 400m and 1500m
I figured that if I could build a good pace for the 1500m, then shorten the distance and increase the pace that I'd soon nail the flat sprints...
I'd emailed local legend Dean Macey, Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist for the Decathlon in 2006, here's his advice on this matter:
'First thing with training for the Decathlon is to remember that most of the events need power and speed, so don't waste to much time on training for the 1500m as its only one event in ten'.
 |
| Local Legend Dean Macey, with his Commonwealth Gold Medal |
I ditched my plans to run 1500m sets along the sea road at this point and relocated to Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre (which has an actual athletics) track from then on, where they had the equipment required for all 10 events.
'Power and Speed', Deano's words rang around in my head...thinking I had more power than speed already, I opted to train on my sprinting ability - as a 16 sec/100m guy at school I knew I'd need to put the work in...
I'm pretty sure that 100 metres never looked so long before. On my first attempt I started to fade after the first 40 metres - this was gonna be harder than I thought.
 |
| The view as I trudged back from the Finish Line |
Twitter came in handy once again - this time I asked former European & Commonwealth 400m Champion Iwan Thomas MBE for some sprint training tips which sounded ace but to be honest I simply wasn't fit enough to follow them to the letter.
 |
| Iwan Thomas MBE: Double Quick |
I'm mythed how the pros manage this! I'm not kidding - even at 6ft tall, with hurdles set to competition height they're up beyond my hips...its like doing 10 High Jumps at speed, head on!
Keeping the sprint and hurdles training going (albeit with the hurdles set a few notches lower), I looked to add in some of the field events...
I used to throw Shot Put for my school as nipper so I had some idea on what to do with one, while the discus would take some effort to learn and I sought advice from the very best on the Javelin...
No, not from Henry as you may have thought but from former World Record holder (not to mention Olympic Silver & Bronze medalist, European & Commonwealth Champion!!!), Steve Backley OBE.
 |
| Steve launches another rocket. |
Seems for 'Health & Safety' reasons I needed to have certain athletics qualifications to use the blooming equipment - I was gutted, but I gather their insurance wouldn't cover them I speared myself / dropped the shot on my foot / smashed my teeth out with the discus...so I couldn't complain, they were simply doing their jobs.
I would have to learn a hell of a lot from my first attempts on the Big Day...
...to be continued...
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