Thursday 16 April 2015

ATHLETES FACE THEIR FIRST TEST

Trackspeed1 UK haven't had the  best build-up to the summer season, but many of their number are looking pretty impressive just short of the first 2015 outdoor meet in the USA this Saturday - their first test of the year.

They open their account at their pre-season training venue, Clermont National Training Center, on Saturday.  Conditions are likely to be challenging with the Florida heat peaking mid-meet, but with a classy line-up from both Europe and the USA, the opportunity to perform will be ideal.

"It's very early in the day", said 'Trackspeed1 UK' Head Coach, John Powell, and I have emphasised to all our guys that this is very much part of their training programme only, but there again it will be a great indication as to where some athletes are at the moment.

"Not everyone is competing - some have rightly elected to wait until the following week when we travel to Gainesville for the annual Tom Jones Memorial meet, and there are likely to be a couple who won't open up until they get back to the UK.

"It's been a harsh winter, and residual injury issues have been rather stubborn in a couple of cases, and the last thing an athlete should be doing is looking to compete until he or she is fully fit."

The group return to London at the end of the month, and competition plans are already in place that indicate a very busy time in May for most athletes.

The opening British Athletics League fixtures are rapidly followed by the Loughborough International fixture.  Then there are meetings in Europe as an option to the County Championships, and the Bedford International Games round off a hectic start.

Meanwhile the training camp in the South East corner of the United States continues to progress well.  In addition to the climate and excellent facilities at the Clermont NTC, the group have the privilege of Dr John Allen as the group physio' - one of the most accomplished in his field in the UK, along with  masseuse Amara Tapson who, in the words of John Powell, has been "worth her  weight in gold" to the athletes between workout days.
Trackspeed1 UK masseuse, Amara Tapson, offers essential
massage therapy between sessions in Florida.

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