Slowly Getting There

Tuesday:
Had a good gym session working on my legs. Instead of doing the abductors and adductors I used a new machine. I’m not sure what it’s called, but it flexed my ankles and calves.

Wednesday:
At the Pingles the session included 3 x 50m, 3 x 100m and a further 3 x 50m. Afterwards I did some practice starts with the blocks, which was very useful, as I can feel myself driving more out of them.

Thursday:
At the Loughborough track did 5 x 200m, but not at sprinting pace more jogging. This helped me to understand the distance more. Did a long warm-up and cool-down.

Friday:
This was my first time with Amy and we went to the gym. Ultimately I would like to do my usual CV with her and core stability work, but to give her an idea of what I normally do I worked on my arms. It went ok since it was the first time, but I need to encourage her to give me more time checks now, as I didn’t get one until after 8mins on the cross trainer.

Saturday:
I went to Walsall for the AGM goalball tournament. It was a friendly so everyone was mixed up. I was put with this short kid who I had last year too and an Albino from New College Worcester. Considering I hadn’t played for a couple of months I didn’t do too badly and my team ended up winning the development section.

Introduction

I best introduce myself before I start rambling on about what I do in the gym and on the track every week! In short I'm 20 years old, totally blind in my right eye and just have light perception in my left. This makes me a B1 athlete in the disabled world of sport.

My main sport is running, but I also play Goalball. I enjoy going to the gym and generally keeping fit. I am aiming for the 2012 Paralympics and know it will be a tough journey.

I've started this diary in order to be more of a serious athlete. It will enable me to track my progress and I hope I can regularly write new PBs. At present my best time for 100m is 15.9secs and 800m 3mins 33secs. I need to be running sub 14secs for 100m to be a world class athlete in my category.

Since September I've employed Courtney who is my guide runner, takes me to the gym and generally helps me to access sporting activities. Sheila is my coach, but only yesterday did I see her again after a fair few months.

So join me on my determined journey to become one of the best visually impaired runners! I know I have the potential, but most people think I'll never make it! I'll prove them wrong!