There’s nothing I like more than seeing a fun run taking place somewhere, so I was delighted to go to Scarborough to take part in the Yorkshire Coast 10k run. As you might expect, McCain was the proud sponsors of this run as it was in their own backyard. Over 1000 people pitched up to have a go – a great turnout!
I’ve done my time running in all weathers, chasing training goals. These days, I like a bit of sunshine with a gentle cooling breeze. You might think there would be no chance of that in North Yorkshire during October, but you’d be wrong. Conditions were perfect and I was glad to get my running shoes on.
I’d been asked to officially start the race before plodding off myself, in the company of a rather fragile looking Iwan Thomas. I was interested in his pre-race preparation, which seemed to have consisted of a very late night out. Good news for me, because he was only too happy to lope round at my speed. We eventually came home in around 50 minutes. A fairly sedate and enjoyable pace!
The McCain Track and Field Roadshow was also in town. Steph Twell also popped over to pull the starter gun for the 2.5k Fun Run. McCain has put on athletics roadshows up and down the country throughout the summer and they have been brilliant. I’ve really enjoyed watching people having a go at athletics, under the friendly and watchful gaze of some of our biggest stars.
The future health of the sport will be determined by how many kids get involved through events like this. Whatever your level, athletics wants you and you’ll get healthier from being involved. If that’s not a win-win, I don’t know what is!
Entrance money from the run has been put towards the fund for a proper track in Scarborough. Currently, athletes have to travel to York for training. I used to have to do a fair bit of traveling myself, so I know how much benefit local kids will get from their own facility. The sooner they can get the money together, the better.
Like most runners, I like a good plate of food after I’ve put some work in. I have to say that the scampi and chips I had in Scarborough were the best I’ve ever eaten anywhere. I’m sure the chips were McCain, by the way!
Sally x
Monday, 2 November 2009
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Back down to earth!
I had such an inspiring time at the Olympic site in London a few weeks back that I felt a bit deflated the following day. I can remember having a similar feeling in the days after my big races; it can be hard to cope with the “come down”.
Team GB’s athletes might have been forgiven if they struggled to lift themselves for the Gateshead athletics meet, which took place very soon after the World Championships in Berlin. It’s hard to put in to words just how much a world class competition can take out of you, especially if you do well. I remember being totally shattered after winning gold in Barcelona; I really wanted to come home and thank the British fans with a good performance on home soil…at the same time, I wanted to crawl in to a corner and sleep for a week!
It was fantastic for athletes such as Jess Ennis to come home and race in front of their home fans. Most of our Berlin stars seemed to cope well in Gateshead, in stark contrast to my post-big-race performances! They got a great reception from an enthusiastic crowd and they thoroughly deserved their moment after years of hard work. I’m delighted that we’ve now got some names to follow as we count down to London 2012. But they’re not just great athletes, they’re great people, too, and it can only be good for our sport that we have these new characters to cheer on.
This business of coming home and picking yourself up to compete after a major championship – it does bring back some funny memories…In 1993, Linford Christie, Colin Jackson and I returned from Stuttgart to a rapturous reception. It was amazing. The three of us were competing in a “welcome home” event and as usual I was worrying that I might not have enough in the tank to do well in front of the people who matter most – the home fans. Somebody said “Hey, you guys! Look at the fantastic gold running suits we’ve made for you to race in!” Colin and Linford looked stunning in their new attire – their brown skin seemed to contrast beautifully with the material. I, on the other hand, appeared to be stark naked apart from my race number! Not a good look, I can assure you! Colin and Linford loved it and at least it took my mind off my exhaustion for a while. Embarrassment can be quite a strong pick-me-up when you’re feeling low on energy!
Bye for now
SG
Team GB’s athletes might have been forgiven if they struggled to lift themselves for the Gateshead athletics meet, which took place very soon after the World Championships in Berlin. It’s hard to put in to words just how much a world class competition can take out of you, especially if you do well. I remember being totally shattered after winning gold in Barcelona; I really wanted to come home and thank the British fans with a good performance on home soil…at the same time, I wanted to crawl in to a corner and sleep for a week!
It was fantastic for athletes such as Jess Ennis to come home and race in front of their home fans. Most of our Berlin stars seemed to cope well in Gateshead, in stark contrast to my post-big-race performances! They got a great reception from an enthusiastic crowd and they thoroughly deserved their moment after years of hard work. I’m delighted that we’ve now got some names to follow as we count down to London 2012. But they’re not just great athletes, they’re great people, too, and it can only be good for our sport that we have these new characters to cheer on.
This business of coming home and picking yourself up to compete after a major championship – it does bring back some funny memories…In 1993, Linford Christie, Colin Jackson and I returned from Stuttgart to a rapturous reception. It was amazing. The three of us were competing in a “welcome home” event and as usual I was worrying that I might not have enough in the tank to do well in front of the people who matter most – the home fans. Somebody said “Hey, you guys! Look at the fantastic gold running suits we’ve made for you to race in!” Colin and Linford looked stunning in their new attire – their brown skin seemed to contrast beautifully with the material. I, on the other hand, appeared to be stark naked apart from my race number! Not a good look, I can assure you! Colin and Linford loved it and at least it took my mind off my exhaustion for a while. Embarrassment can be quite a strong pick-me-up when you’re feeling low on energy!
Bye for now
SG
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Olympic Dreams
A big part of me wishes I was young and fit enough to consider competing in 2012. There’s nothing like going for gold on your own turf. Sadly, the years have taken their toll, so I’ll just have to watch and cheer on the next generation of Team GB.
Earlier this week, some of Britain’s finest young Olympic hopefuls came with me to visit the 2012 site in Stratford, East London. Katarina, Liam, Freya, Matti, Rickie and Emma are all dreaming of competing in 2012. With the help of McCain’s Track and Field Programme, they have every chance of making it!
I’d been so looking forward to catching up with the potential young stars of the future that I hadn’t really stopped to consider what we might see on our visit to the Olympic Park. I was blown away. The main Olympic stadium is there in overall form and it looks impressive, even without the grass, the track and the seats! We could also see the aquatics centre and the basketball and handball stadia. Seb Coe himself came out to greet us, which my young friends were very excited about. When he told us he was going to show us round, even I felt a bit giddy!
Seb took us to the warm up area, where athletes will stretch, run, jump or just sit until they are called to compete. From there we walked on to the Call Room, where athletes gather before going out to the track. I know this might sound a bit silly, but I really felt the tension in there; it brought back so many memories for me! When Seb took us out on to the track, I was very emotional. I could see that some of my young friends were as well. I can hardly describe how it felt to stand on what will be the 100 metre start line, looking up at the empty stands. I could hear, taste and smell the atmosphere of a packed house waiting for the sound of the starter’s pistol…
A tour around the rest of the Olympic site allowed me to calm down and get myself together. I was struck by how close everything was to the arenas. I’ve competed in places where the trip from the athletes’ accommodation to the stadium is an epic journey by bus, train and bike. In 2012, athletes will have a five minute walk. Shops, bars and restaurants are being built around the stadia and competitors’ accommodation, so it’ll be really easy to meet up with friends and family in the little pockets of down time that athletes have. The London organisers have thought of everything.
Seb told us all about the 2012 legacy. Once the Games are over, the site will be transformed in to a public amenity. There’ll be loads of new housing, office space and, of course, some great sports facilities in a part of the capital that really needs some good infrastructure.
When I got home, my husband asked me how the day had gone. About an hour and a half later, I’d told him. I guess I’d sum it up by saying it was brilliant to see the young athletes dreaming of 2012 success in the place that is already becoming London’s Olympic reality.
Bye for now!
S
Earlier this week, some of Britain’s finest young Olympic hopefuls came with me to visit the 2012 site in Stratford, East London. Katarina, Liam, Freya, Matti, Rickie and Emma are all dreaming of competing in 2012. With the help of McCain’s Track and Field Programme, they have every chance of making it!
I’d been so looking forward to catching up with the potential young stars of the future that I hadn’t really stopped to consider what we might see on our visit to the Olympic Park. I was blown away. The main Olympic stadium is there in overall form and it looks impressive, even without the grass, the track and the seats! We could also see the aquatics centre and the basketball and handball stadia. Seb Coe himself came out to greet us, which my young friends were very excited about. When he told us he was going to show us round, even I felt a bit giddy!
Seb took us to the warm up area, where athletes will stretch, run, jump or just sit until they are called to compete. From there we walked on to the Call Room, where athletes gather before going out to the track. I know this might sound a bit silly, but I really felt the tension in there; it brought back so many memories for me! When Seb took us out on to the track, I was very emotional. I could see that some of my young friends were as well. I can hardly describe how it felt to stand on what will be the 100 metre start line, looking up at the empty stands. I could hear, taste and smell the atmosphere of a packed house waiting for the sound of the starter’s pistol…
A tour around the rest of the Olympic site allowed me to calm down and get myself together. I was struck by how close everything was to the arenas. I’ve competed in places where the trip from the athletes’ accommodation to the stadium is an epic journey by bus, train and bike. In 2012, athletes will have a five minute walk. Shops, bars and restaurants are being built around the stadia and competitors’ accommodation, so it’ll be really easy to meet up with friends and family in the little pockets of down time that athletes have. The London organisers have thought of everything.
Seb told us all about the 2012 legacy. Once the Games are over, the site will be transformed in to a public amenity. There’ll be loads of new housing, office space and, of course, some great sports facilities in a part of the capital that really needs some good infrastructure.
When I got home, my husband asked me how the day had gone. About an hour and a half later, I’d told him. I guess I’d sum it up by saying it was brilliant to see the young athletes dreaming of 2012 success in the place that is already becoming London’s Olympic reality.
Bye for now!
S
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
British Athletics gets a lightening Bolt!
Other commitments kept me away from the Palace, but seeing a full stadium on TV was a genuine pleasure. It’s fantastic to have the likes of Bolt over here doing his thing; he’s a real crowd pleaser. But you know what? So are a lot of our home grown athletes. Christine Ohuruogu’s performances over the last 18 months have been nothing short of sensational. She’s the World and Olympic Champion, which is no mean feat! There are other talented guys out there who, with the help of McCain, are getting closer and closer to the podiums of the world. We have a lot to look forward to and I hope people will get behind our young stars in the same way that they do with Bolt and co. 2012 isn’t far away and there’s never been a better time to get in to our sport.
The McCain Track & Field Roadshows have shown me first-hand just how much folk in the UK enjoy their athletics. So many people have come along to try their hand at everything from sprinting to discus throwing. Who knows, maybe I came across a champion of the future among the crowds of young participants that I worked with at the London and Brighton events? Lots of people talked about Usain Bolt as an inspiring figure, which is great; anything that gets kids in to athletics has got to be good. The more youngsters that come in to the sport, the more pressure there’ll be at the elite end and the more likely we’ll be to uncover and develop our own British Bolt of Lightening!
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