Monday 31 May 2010

ELLINGTON POISED FOR GLORY

Trackspeed1's James Ellington stood poised to at last make his mark among the elite of British sprinting after a scintillating 200 metre victory at Bedford today (31st May).  He was competing in the annual inter-counties championship meeting.

The 24-year-old Belgrave Harrier timed the fastest half-lap sprint of his illustrious career of 20.86 seconds, but it was frustratingly assisted by a 3.1m/s following wind and so won't impact on existing rankings.  It nevertheless placed the former World Junior finalist among the top performers over both sprints in the UK this year.

"James is on fire this summer," said a delighted coach John Powell who has worked with Catford-born Ellington since the age of 13 bar two seasons.  "He has wintered really well, and touch wood, all the niggles of last year seem to have cleared up.  Although the winds have been just over the permitted limit for his early outings, it's obvious he's in great shape and only a matter of time before he puts down a serious - and legal - performance."

The weekend hadn't begun quite so positively for Ellington, as he false started in the 100m heats, and was given a straight red card under the new zero tolerance rules, a repeat of the scenario in last year's Crystal palace grand prix.

"We've looked at the film John took of the start, and the guy on my right twitched which is what set me off," said James.

Ellington now looks toward next weekend when he travels to Germany with the British team for an international meeting, contesting the 100 metres and 4 x 100m relay.

Also in action over the weekend for Trackspeed1 was 27-year-old Blackheath Harrier Dwayne Grant, who was competing in a European invitation meeting in Greece.

Grant clocked a season's best 100m of 10.42s, finishing third in the A-race, and went on to time another season's fastest 21.13s over 200m, also finishing third, and with legal wind speeds in both events.

"It's really coming together well this season," said John Powell, and there are other athletes in pretty good shape who haven't really got going yet, so 2010 is looking very positive right now."
James Ellington (left) and Dwayne Grant in training before 
a productive weekend's sprinting at home and abroad.

Saturday 29 May 2010

BRITAIN CALL FOR ELLINGTON AS UK WEATHER STALLS PROGRESS

This article is updated at the foot of the text


Trackspeed1 stalwart James Ellington began life with coach John Powell aged 13, and went on to become one of the most successful championship medalists through the agegroups of all time in the UK.  In 2010 he could just be on the brink of the ultimate breakthrough as a senior.

It's been a while coming, but after a period in the wilderness, James has at last received a call-up to Great Britain seniors, competing in Germany next weekend.  After his performance at Loughborough last week (see previous blogs) he is well and truly back on the international sprinting map!

The only thing between him and personal bests over both 100m and 200m at the inter-counties meeting at Bedford tomorrow (30th) and Monday, will be the good old UK weather.  Training comrade David Bolarinwa suffered at the hands of a 4.8m/s headwind in winning the South of England title at Ashford today (29th), but was blown backwards to a 11.22s run - one of his slowest for two years.

"We don't want wind or rain at Bedford," said coach John Powell, "but whatever we get we simply have to deal with.  James is on awesome form right now, and it's only a matter of time before he puts down a serious lifetime best mark."

The second Trackspeed1 athlete in action at the Ashford meeting was 15-year-old Omari Carr-Miller, the youngest of Powell's protégées.  After a winter ravaged by injury, the under-15 national 400m champion successfully progressed to the final after a solid 51.94 run to second place in his under-17 men's heat.

Update from Bedford...
High winds - exactly what coach John Powell was hoping would not be the case - blighted the sprinters at Bedford on the first day of the inter-counties meeting, although this proved to be the least of James Ellington's troubles.

Lining up as the fastest athlete by far in his heat of the 100 metres, Ellington false started and was immediately red carded by officials under the new zero tolerance false-start ruling.  He must now wait until tomorrow (31st) when he will contest the 200 metres.

"It was frustrating, but absolutely the right decision within the rules," said John Powell.  "James is in great shape, and having a wind like that behind him would have blown him to an exceptional time, but it wasn't to be.  I don't think he'll be doing that again in a hurry though, so hopefully it was a learning experience for him!"

Winds at Bedford were measured between plus four and plus six metres per second - a huge aid to sprinters.  The secobd day will see both James Ellington and Jason Hussain of the Trackspeed1 squad contest separate 200m competitions.

Meanwhile, in Greece, Dwayne Grant improved vastly from his season's opener in the USA at the beginning of the month with encouraging performances over both sprint distances.  He clocked 10.42 (wind +1.2) over 100m, and 21.13 (wind +1.4) over 200m, finishing third in both races.

Sunday 23 May 2010

DESTINATION: THE WORLD!

Trackspeed1 sprinters enjoyed an amazing opening day of their summer season today (Sunday 23rd) with success at home and abroad.

In Moscow, 16-year-old David Bolarinwa came within an inch of a second gold medal in three days, eventually finishing second in the 200m at the European Youth Olympics, clocking a lifetime's fastest 21.49s.

Meanwhile, back home, James Ellington opened his account at the Loughborough International meeting with his fastest ever 100m of 10.22s, albeit slightly wind aided (+2.5m/s).  Later he was awarded second leg for England seniors who proceeded to beat the Great Britain 4 x 100m relay team.

Also in action at Loughborough was Trackspeed1's Jason Hussain, who signaled a return to form with 21.58s from lane one (wind +2.3m/s).

Coach John Powell was smiling all the way back to his hotel on the Moscow Metro:

"Make no mistake, there is alot more to come yet," he said, "and this is only the start.  We knew we had athletes in form, and we haven't even seen the likes of Dwayne Grant and others in action yet.

"David did outstandingly well in Moscow, and just couldn't quite catch the Pole outside him, but gold on Friday in the 100m added to this silver makes him arguably the highest achiever as an individual in a major championship this squad has seen!

"And James has far more in the tank - don't forget he finished second ahead of Marlon Devonish, Christian Malcolm, Nick Smith and others - real scalps!

"And people may not think that the 2008 nightmare that saw Jason Hussain undergo punishing chemotherapy is of any relevance now, but I can say from personal experience that it is!  It rips the body apart, and the fact that he has fought back to this kind of form in little more than 18 months is a massive compliment to an exceptionally determined athlete."

John Powell will have to budget carefully this year, as his squad could potentially be competing all over the world!  Barcelona sees the European Championships, and Singapore the World Youth Olympics, where David Bolarinwa is now officially selected in the 100 metres.

"I am immensely grateful to United Kingdom Athletics (Jo Jennings in particular) for helping me attend Moscow," he said, "but I now have to work out how I can afford to get myself potentially to the Far East as well as any other majors, not to mention domestic competitions all over the UK.  And if anyone gets selected for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi....!"

Saturday 22 May 2010

BOLARINWA TARGETS A EUROPEAN DOUBLE

Trackspeed1's David Bolarinwa is targeting a European double this weekend after successfully qualifying for the 200m final at the European Youth Olympics in Moscow.

After winning the 100m on Friday (21st) in a lifetime's fastest 10.68s, the latest young talent to emerge from Trackspeed1 is on the verge of a sensational double gold.

In the heats on Saturday evening, he clocked a winning 21.60s after a nightmare start.  Just as they came under starter's orders, an official realised the lanes had been re-drawn and insisted David and the Polish sprinter swapped places.  Not being allowed to properly re-set his blocks, the first 50m saw David trailing around the bend.

With three athletes clear he had it all to do, but a phenomenally strong pick-up toward the finish saw him emerge a clear winner.  The only other athlete faster than him was the Italian winner of heat one, clocking 21.57.

"It would certainly seem that tomorrow is a two-horse race," commented coach John Powell afterwards, "but the minute you exclude anyone as a threat is the day they decide to have a big break-through.  So we'll be aware of everyone, but as long as David runs the race to his plan, it is going to take a real talent to get to the line before him."

David's final goes at 4.30pm BST and is the last event of the tournament.  Afterwards he and his coach have to agree before leaving Moscow on which event he will opt for in the World Youth Olympics, in singapore, in August.
David (lane 4: 4th from left) digs deep after a nightmare start
 to win his 200m heat in Moscow

British team physiotherapist Shane Kelly helps 
David's 200m preparations in Moscow

Friday 21 May 2010

BOLARINWA STRIKES GOLD IN MOSCOW

Trackspeed1 teenage sprint sensation, David Bolarinwa, struck gold for Britain in Moscow today (21st May), as he powered to the European Youth Olympic 100 metres title in a lifetime's best time.

David, whose heat time of 10.72s was the fastest qualifying mark, clocked 10.68s in near perfect conditions, beating the fastest athletes in Europe by some margin - second was a German competitor in 10.85s.

Celebrating the squad's first European Gold since Chris Lambert won the Under-23 200m title in 2003, coach John Powell was grinning from ear to ear:

"He didn't have the greatest of starts, and we have to work on that, but his transition and pick-up was absolutely awesome," he said.  "I'm delighted for him because he has worked hard for this, and it's a great springboard now for the rest of the season, let alone the years to come."

David will get little rest though - he goes again on Saturday (22nd) in the heats of the 200m, which are due off at 4.20pm BST.  The final is at 4.30pm BST on Sunday.
David celebrates gold on the rostrum with the other medalists

European Youth Olympic 100m Champion 
with a delighted coach, John Powell.

BOLARINWA FACES EURO TEST

See end of this story for updates from Moscow...

Trackspeed1's latest teenage sprint sensation, 16-year-old David Bolarinwa, faces his sternest test yet today (May 21st), as he opens his account in the European Youth Olympics, in Moscow.

The heats of the 100m go at 1210m local time, and the final at 7.40pm.  Moscow lies three hours ahead of the UK, so by late afternoon in London the title will have been decided.  The event doubles as the trials for the first ever World Youth Olympics, to be held in Singapore in August.

It will be a tough test for David, with fellow Brit' Jerome Musa Lawal having already clocked a faster time this year, plus rivals from Russia and Turkey.  The top four go to Singapore , but only one British athlete can be selected.

Speaking from the Olympic complex in Moscow, coach John Powell commented: "This will be a tough test.  David is in great form, but he is almost a year younger than Jerome, and we know there are at least two other lads faster than him on paper."

David runs also, as the only Brit', in the 200m tomorrow (heats) and Sunday (final), and so has two chances of selection for the prestigious world event later in the summer.

MOSCOW UPDATE...


11:10am BST - David Bolarinwa came through the heats of the 100m in the European Youth Olympics unscathed, and qualified for this afternoon's final as the fastest in the field.


He clocked 10.72s, equal to his one other performance this year, set in Florida, USA, two weeks ago.  Fellow Brit' Jerome Musa Lawal, failed to qualify after finishing second in his heat with the winner only sure to go through.


Of the other strongly fancied athletes, the Italian pulled up with a hamstring tear, but both Russians looked very impressive.  The final goes at 16:40 BST, and this website will be updated later this evening.
David Bolarinwa wins his heat with ease in Moscow

Sunday 16 May 2010

OSHO LEAVES TRACKSPEED1

Set Osho, who clocked several lifetime best performances over 400m in 2009, and clinched bronze in the World Championship Trials, has left Trackspeed1 after only 20 months.

Coach John Powell cited unreconcilable differences between coach and athlete, along with a deteriorating relationship with fellow athletes in the group.

"Set called me just before we left the U.S., but I would have called it when we got back anyway.  Set had tremendous potential as an athlete, but for some reason he has drifted this last 8 months, and hence unsurprisingly his performances have fallen.

"In Trackspeed1 we have a vast network of advice and opportunities stretching the globe as well as at home, and all we ask in return is for respect and engagement.  I believe the successes of our group over the years endorse that approach.  It is a shame Set chose to look elsewhere."

Thursday 13 May 2010

ATHLETES HEAD HOME HUNGRY!

Trackspeed1 athletes training in Florida for the past 3-4 weeks arrive home this weekend hungry for competition to commence.  Initially blighted by volcano ash that delayed departure, and then electrical storms canceling their opening races, the news from the south eastern corner of the U.S. is now all good!

"We've had some set-backs," said coach John Powell, "but this has ended up being one of the most positive camps I've been on, and we have had absolutely no injury problems at all.  Times in training have progressed beyond previous years, and all everyone wants to do now is race.

"I'm not expecting PB's straight away, although most people have shown an ability to go very close already, but I would be surprised if we don't have a really good summer if everyone stays clear of injury."

Some members of Trackspeed1 will open their account at the Loughborough International meeting on Sunday 23rd, and others will wait for the annual inter-counties championships, in Bedford, on 30-31st May.

The annual pre-season camp in Florida features just about everything a track and field athlete can wish for in optimising preparation for the summer season.  The weather is clearly a huge plus, with 80-90 degrees guaranteed daily, but the training facilities put the UK to shame and explain very clearly why athletes drift away from home shores in April and May.

Trackspeed1 have partnerships with the now ESPN Wide World of Sports, and access outstanding facilities there both on track and in the gym.  Clermont's National Triathlon Training Centre provide access to six-star physio' treatment at discounted cost if and when needed, and there is an alternative track and gym facility there also.

Couple this with opportunities for developing athletes such as David Bolarinwa to train with some of the world's best seniors under the watchful eye of US sprints supremo Brooks Johnson, and it begins to look like a pretty attractive package!  Just a few photographic memories appear hereunder...
The Florida squad (l-r): Jer O'Donoghue, Dwayne Grant, 
James Ellington, Jason Hussain, front - David Bolarinwa, 
John Powell, Ellie Doel.

David Bolarinwa gets a thorough screening by manager 
Leah Dearman, at Clermont's six-star physiotherapy and 
rehabilitation facility

Training on the final day saw the previous three years' 
records re-written! L-R: Jer O'Donoghue, James 
Ellington, David Bolarinwa

Experience tells!  Seasoned international James Ellington
imparts words of wisdom with video feedback to young
prospect David Bolarinwa

No competition for Trackspeed1.  James Ellington leads 
Dwayne Grant and David Bolarinwa home in the 200m at 
a High School meeting in Orlando. 

Jason Hussain training at ESPN - his nightmare of 3 years
traveling there injured, now well behind him!

Saturday 8 May 2010

TRACKSPEED1 OUT OF THE BLOCKS

Trackspeed1 at last kicked off their 2010 outdoor season today (Saturday 8th) at the Florida Gliders Spring Classic meeting, at Lake Brantley High School, Orlando, USA.

Amid searing heat that reached 102 degrees, and no shelter provided at the venue from the sun all day, it was a tough day out for even the most experienced sprinters.  As it was though, some encouraging performances from most concerned will send them back to the UK next Saturday (15th) knowing that this summer promises potential rich rewards.

Former European relay gold medalist James Ellington, and World Cup gold medalist Dwayne Grant, locked horns in both sprints, with Ellington coming out on top - just - on both occasions.  He clocked 10.59s for the 100m - his fastest ever start to a campaign - while Grant clocked 10.67s.  Young David Bolarinwa completed a one-two-three for Trackspeed1 in third, timing the second fastest time of his life of 10.74s.

In the 200m, Ellington crossed the line in 21.37s, Grant in 21.43, with Bolarinwa trailing in third in 22.02s, heavily affected by the intense afternoon sun.
James Ellington (left) and Dwayne Grant lock horns in the 200m

Ellington pips Grant in the 100m at Lake Brantley
The one other event Trackspeed1 were involved in was the 4x100m relay where expectation was high for a fast time, but the mid-day heat combined with no competition at all, saw a solo quartet complete the lap in a rather tame 41.34s.

Friday 7 May 2010

GODS NOT LOOKING KINDLY ON TRACKSPEED1

The second "act of God" in less than a month frustrated Trackspeed1's pre-season preparations yesterday (6th May), as electrical storms prevented their opening competition from taking place.

The annual University of Central Florida Twilight track meet, a traditionally high class affair, failed to kick off as the skies clouded over, the rain poured down, and thunder and lightening put the whole UCF campus on 'red alert'.

"We're all frustrated as anything," said coach John Powell, because we simply can't wait to get going this year, but we have the Lake Brantley meet tomorrow (May 8th)."

Trackspeed1 have all their Florida athletes competing at the Florida Gliders Spring Classic meeting at Lake Brantley High School, Orlando.  "It's a bit of a crazy meeting with loads of kids and a rather unpredictable timetable," explained John, "but the senior races are usually pretty classy, and we know some from the UCF event may well be chasing late entries."

In true American style, the timetable begins at 7.30am and works through to 5pm.  Looking to be in action over 100m will be James Ellington, David Bolarinwa, Dwayne Grant and Jer O'Donoghue, with all bar O'Donoghue in the 200m with the addition of Jason Hussain.

The squad will also make a late entry in the 4 x 10m relay to see if their quartet of O'Donoghue, Grant, Bolarinwa and Ellington can crack the 40-second barrier, which would see them into the IAAF world rankings as a training group - possibly the first European squad to do so!

With UCF cancelled, we were able to do a couple of baton changes at the ESPN track today (Friday)," said John, so we'll see what happens.  At the end of the day it's about the individual events mainly, although a good relay would be a great boost early on in the year for everyone."
 
Trackspeed1 relay practice at the ESPN training track today (7th)

Storms sweep across the UCF track yesterday, postponing Trackspeed1's kick-off to the new season by 48 hours.  They compete at Lake Brantley tomorrow (8th)

Tuesday 4 May 2010

BOLARINWA RUBS SHOULDERS STATESIDE WITH THE WORLD'S BEST!

Trackspeed1's pre-season training camp in Central Florida is switching into overdrive with some athletes beginning to show some outstanding form, but that is not all.

Sixteen-year-old Woolwich Poly student, David Bolarinwa, from Thamesmead, rubbed shoulders with some of the world's top athletes on Tuesday, as he completed a blocks session under the tutelage of leading USA sprints coach Brooks Johnson, alongside Trackspeed1's own John Powell.

Athletes lining up alongside David included Olympic hurdles medalist David Oliver, and Dwight Thomas, Jamaican Olympic sprint relay gold medalist.  America's Xavier Carter, one of the fastest men in history over 200m, was also on hand for advice.

"This was the experience of a lifetime for David at his stage of development," said John Powell, "we both learned alot.  It's the best opportunity going from my point of view to have another set of eyes look at your athlete, because they are almost certain to pick stuff up you've missed."

David, obviously thrilled at the whole deal, made a few adjustments through the session, and ended barely a yard behind some of his new found training group for the day as they blasted out of the blocks over 20-30 metres.
David (in yellow) powers out of the blocks with some of the world's fastest.
David said afterwards: "That was an amazing experience and I kept having to pinch myself that I was actually running alongside those guys.  You see them on TV, and you read about their results, but this was some of them training just like the rest of us.  It helps you realise nobody is superhuman and anything is achievable if you really want it.  This has really doubled my determination to work hard over the next few years, and then it will be me entertaining the apprentice!"

Meanwhile, Trackspeed1 now face their first serious competition of the season as they contest the University of Central Florida (UCF) Twilight Track and Field Meeting this week, and then the Florida Gliders Spring Classic Meeting at the weekend.  

The UCF meeting could see a bit of athletics history made as the 4 x 100m relay team of Jer O'Donoghue, Dwayne Grant, David Bolarinwa, and James Ellington, aim to crack 40 seconds as a squad team, and become the first training group to break into the IAAF world rankings!

Some more images of David's session appear below, beginning with the end-of-session handshake between Brooks Johnson, who is also Trackspeed1's Training Advisor, John Powell, and David...