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.