1:46.87 in Ghent

Last night went well for me. And with all the surprises in the night, it's nice that it did. No heats sheets were known until you stepped on the line and they were delayed 30-40minutes (and didn't tell you). A mob of mens 800m athletes swarm the starter to find out who's in what heat. I snuck in to the 1st heat with the 1:45 guys and readied myself in lane one.

The gun went off and I tucked into 6th position. Going through 400 felt good; felt smooth. I got to 600m and that slow burning feeling started to come on. I heard what I think was 1:18 as I passed. I started to swing wide and accelerate. Off the turn I saw the gap shrinking from me to the front pack. 70m to go I went to the "well" to find a last kick and there was something. I moved by a group and snuck across the line in 3rd with a time of 1:46.87. Not a PB but so freaking close. I raced some solid competition today and I came out on top. I can stick with these guys.
What to take away: I need to make a move earlier and stronger, and set myself in top contention.

My dinner the night before was pasta and meatballs. Nothing gluten free about this meal. I ran well without the special diet. And post race I had two amazing types of belgian beer called Gruut and Orval, which I took the glass as a souvenir. But today I do feel like I've been partying all night. I'm hurting

Race in Gente

I've made my way to Belgium back to my where my European journey first began 2 yrs ago...Turnhout. It's a medium sized town in North East Belgium population 60, 000. Myself and 3 other Canadians are staying in an old convent called DeRank. I've got a lot of great memories here from meeting new people to meeting my girlfriend here....ha ha. But this time around I came here for a mission. I'm trying to set a new personal best in my event. I've got a great race tomorrow. with some top times. I've got a good shot at running well and even making a little cash. My goal is simple, race the competition. I don't want to get caught leading the entire thing and I don't want to be too far back from the front group that I can't make up the difference. Positioning will be everything and staying strong when it counts. Gente here I come

Bitch Slapping Frenchies

Every four years everyone and their grandma becomes an expert on track and field because of the Olympics. People have opinions on racers and give their input on what they think certain athletes should have done differently. It would be great to have track and field as popular as hockey, football etc. Two athletes decided the other night how to pack the stands and make Don Cherry shed a tear.
Mehdi Baala and Mahiedine Benabbad had a little scuff after some misconstrued words were said between the two in the Monaco Diamond League. Remember their 1500m runners

BMC-Manchester

I went for it and couldn't hold. The pace went out in 50.0. The leader couldn't help himself from pushing the pacer off the track at 350. I had a choice, stick with the lead pack and go through fast, or settle back. I went for it. We went through in 64 through 500m and the leader through 600m in 1:17. I was on the heels of the 3rd with 200m to go. The front three start breaking away and I go to the "well" to find my kick....nothing. With 120m the group pulls further away. I get passed by one other guy with 50m to go. I held together and crossed the line. 1:48.75.
All I can say is I went for it. It wasn't there today. It could have been the race on tuesday (second fastest time), could have been the weather, it could have been anything, but I just didn't have it today. All I know is I went for it today. My body will learn that pace a little better and it'll handle more next time.
I've got a few races left to find that perfect pace to go through and still have a kick. I'll get it.

1:46.97

Watch more video of Lignano 2011 - Meeting Internazionale di Atletica Sports Solidarity Meeting on flotrack.org

Saturday night was a great turnaround for me. My plan was to race. Stop overthinking and just race the competition. As we lined up along the line, there are some big names (from Olympians to top Americans and Australians). 13 guys line up on a waterfall start which I haven't done since high school, and the gun goes. Immediately we crash for the inside lane. I get bumped and pushed to the back, which works because the pace in this race is a little quick. 51 high through 400m. At the 500m mark the front group starts to move and I want to follow. A lane opens for me and I start to rev up. 200 to go I keep it going. At 100m left I swing off the turn and go wide to pass a couple guys, but someone else has the same idea. I go back inside and push till the line. Finishing 7th with a 1:46.97. I just snuck under. It's my second fastest time ever, and I was all over the place.

Saturday is another race. I'm back in the UK prepping for another BMC meet. I need to redeem myself after my first race in the UK.
Keep racing the competition and the times will come.

Vai a casa grande o Go (Go Big or Go Home)

After a frustrating week and an even more annoyed coach (mainly because of me), I have my second race confirmed.  Where is it...ITALY BABY!!!  I'll be heading to Lignano Sabbiadoro.  My initial plan was to run a 1500m at a low key meet on the 13th, but the morning of the 13th I get an email from Coach Wynn saying to book my flight to Italy.  HELLS YA!!!  


This last week I've been frustrated like many athletes with trying to find meets.  As I've recently found out, the track world is no different than any other business in the world.  It's all about who you know.  Meet directors can pick and choose who they want in races.  Whether they want to stack a race, or set it up for one athlete in particular. So I just sit and wait.  Usually until it's last minute.

What this means: When I get an opportunity I need to take full advantage of it.  So the plan; race with the best.  I'm a competitor.  I'm going to put myself in a position to do well and maximize this opportunity.  


Tuesday July 19th is the 22nd  Meeting Int. di Atletica Leggera Sport Solidarieta. 


Think good thoughts.  1:46.30 or faster..........
   

On to the next one

What I've learned.....Don't race 3 days after a 9 hour time zone change.  It felt like altitude.  I pushed hard for as long as I could. I made it 50. through 400m and then 1:19 through 600m then completely died. 

UK is eh OK!!

Tuesday 6:45 AM I left the University of Victoria dorms and touched down at 11AM wednesday (over 20hrs of travelling) morning in Birmingham UK!!!! Welcome to England. I go through customs only to find they have lost my bag (still waiting), but it wasn't raining so first sterotype shattered, though it did off and on the rest of the day.

My family picked me up at the airport and I was off to Rugby, UK to their house. Walked to the car and, oh ya I get in on the other side. ha ha.

Other than that I've been trying to pick up "the Queens language" as Tat (second uncle) calls it. Words like "bugger", "bloke", "bloody", "bub",
"bonnet" etc I'll be a local in no time.

Today I'll be heading out for a little shake out to try and get my legs under me after the flight. I've got a race on the 9th. It's part of the British Milers Club. It's in Solihull, UK which I've been told is the "posh" area.

Europe is all about winning and running fast. I can't focus on times. They'll just need to come. Just win the races and times will come.

There it is...found it

Watch more video of Victoria International Track Classic 2011 on flotrack.org

Last night was a good turning point for me.  After a disappointing race on Friday at the Harry Jerome Track Classic I stepped onto the UVic track to compete in the Victoria International.  Sharing the line with me, were 4 Olympians, an NCAA stud and some other top contenders.

My only plan was to get after it.  Stay in the front pack for as long as I could. and give'r with 100m left.  That was it.  Simple and to the point. The pace goal was 50 sec through 400m and 1:17 through 600m  (actual time 52/1:19).  The starting gun shot and the pacemaker went right to the front.  I was sitting comfortably in 3rd.  With 250m to go Khadevis Robinson (8x US National Champ/Olympian) went by me and I tensed. Rookie mistake!!! With 100m left I snapped out of it and turned on what was left finishing 4th overall with a time of 1:47.11.  It was my second fastest time of my career so I can't be too disappointed. Live and learn from my mistakes.  I need to run my race, and not get out of my zone.

I'm happy with the result because I committed to the pace.  World Championship "B" standard is 1:46.30, so I'm off to Europe to chase some times.  I'm feeling good and feel confident that I've got another fast time in me.

Prince William hide the wife....I'm coming to England

   

 

Shut down

I've got nothing to say about this race except I had nothing. Today the whole race felt out of my league. It was set up perfectly to run fast and I couldn't. Big congrats to Andrew Ellerton on a huge PB.
It's only one race. I didn't have it today.  One race one day...that's all it is. Anyone who doubts me on my path is  about to have an awakening.
Rest up for sunday.  It's another chance to roll.

Flotrack race

Harry Jerome race today is being broadcasted today on flotrack.
www.flotrack.org
I race the 800 today at 4:07pm pacific time.