HARVARD LINKS STILL GOING STRONG

European Junior 200m Champion David Bolarinwa has kicked off his winter in style with excellent progress already, reports Trackspeed1 coach John Powell, and both have now flown to East Coast America for a few days to continue early winter training.

They are based in Boston, where John is further developing his contacts in Harvard University, at the same time availing the five star facilities to David as a brief change from his usual surroundings at Crystal Palace.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for David to see an American University and how they work, as well as enjoy some pretty special facilities,” said John.  “This is going to be a critical development year for David, and he needs to expand his horizons wherever possible.

"We've already had a shock running into former AAA 800m champion Tim Bayley, who is working with his wife at Harvard.  Talk about small world!  They have a great team here, and it's a great opportunity to network with coaches their side of the Atlantic and take new ideas home."

David attacks one of the local challenges in Harvard's football stadium

 David’s first impressions of Boston were very positive, although both athlete and coach were taken a little by surprise by the freezing temperatures and driving rain and eventual sleet and snow on arrival on Saturday:

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me,” said David, “as I have never been anywhere in the States other than warm weather training in Florida.  Boston is a great city, and I’m looking forward to getting around the Harvard complex and seeing as much of one of the best universities in the world as possible.”

David has already kicked off his training at Harvard in style, attacking one of the big local challenges.  The university’s American Football stadium houses some evil steps, and sprinting up these is a challenge failed by many.

Harvard's football stadium steps present a massive challenge to even
the fittest athletes!

 “It was a seriously tough session,” said David.  “I didn’t go all the way round the stadium, but I was on my last legs at the end after three sets of the first eight aisles – that was enough for me!”

David has also been reunited with Harvard staff including Harvard sprints coach Bryan Fetzer, whom he met during international duty in July in Germany.  He is also getting access to the exclusive strength and conditioning facility that is revered as one of the best in the world at Harvard.  


Coach and athlete fly back to the UK on Friday (4^th)

BACK TO THE GRIND!

Trackspeed1 return to full squad training tomorrow (Sunday 9th) and begin their preparation for what is likely to be the most high profile year for track and field in the UK in hstory!

The glory of the World Championships in Korea for James Ellington, the slitz of three medals in the European Juniors for David Bolarinwa, now fade as yesteryear's statistics, as the heat is on for a massive year for athletics.

The business starts with a basic fitness test to see what sort of shape the squad have got themselves into without the guidance of coach John Powell.  Then on Tuesday its back to the basics with conditioning sessions based on grass, astroturf, and the winding hill that hugs the outside boundary of Crystal Palace.

Trackspeed1 coach, John Powell: "2012 is going to be massive...!"

"I don't think people, even in track and field, quite realise just how massive a year it is going to be in 2012," said John Powell.  "It's not just for the likes of James who should be running in the Olympics, and David who should be right up there in the World Junior Championships, in Barcelona - it's everyone!

"Track and field is the high profile sport at an Olympic Games, and the fact it is this time in our own back yard, I believe, will be the source of huge motivation to people, and everyone will want a slice of the action.  If it's managed right - and that is in my opinion still an 'if' - that L-word, 'Legacy', could play a far bigger part than anyone might have imagined."

As usual, there have been changes to the Trackspeed1 landscape since the end of the 2011 summer.  Lawrence Wooldridge has left the group, former squad member Andrew Matthews has come in, and John is now talking to an international class 400/hurdler who is looking to hop in from later this week.

"I'm irritated  that Lawrence chose to leave," commented John, "as he told me before I went away he was staying, and then I get an email out of the blue.  Heaven knows what he is looking for elsewhere, so I just hope he finds the magic wand!

"On the other hand, we are delighted to have Andrew back with us after a spell with Linford Christie.   His PB is still a performance achieved whilst last with us, and it would be terrific to get him back to that sort of form.  And if this other lad comes in to join the 400m group the likes of Omari Carr-Miller, Jason Hussain and others will have a great little squad to push them through the cold months."

On the coaching side, John has the assistance of English Schools 100m bronze medalist Anton Daley as he recovers over coming months from major back surgery, and another ex-athlete is in talks with the squad with a view to both starting up training again as well as joining John in a coaching role.