Trackspeed1 sprinters continued their pre-season competition programme on Saturday (28th), at the Florida Gliders Spring Classic Meet, at Lake Brantley High School, Orlando.
After a scintillating start to their season a week earlier in Gainsville, coach John Powell was looking forward to some more good performances, but plans were undone by a meeting peppered with long delays amid scorching conditions.
In the 100m athletes were called into the competition zone some 40 minutes before they got to run and, in the case of the 200m, were made to wait on the track over 20 minutes before they got to compete.
"We were very disappointed with this year's meeting," said John after his group's nine hour stay at an arena with next to no shelter from the Florida sun. "We were given a time for the 100m to start with everything else a 'rolling schedule' through five age-groups for each event, but even that ended 40 minutes out.
"The meeting had so many delays it wasn't until after 6pm that our guys got to run the 200m (the 100m was at 11.30), and even then only after the starter went off to get a drink leaving them stranded on the track for upwards of 20 minutes! It's a great meeting for the younger ages, but not for elite athletes."
Despite all, there were still personal bests set by squad members, and those that didn't hit new times, weren't far off.
"The fact that, in these conditions, we hit so many PB's or almost-PB's," said John, "shows just what sort of shape the group are in this year."
Leading the pack was Edmond Amaning who sliced a further two tenths off his best to record 21.57 in the 200m despite easing short of the line. Then Ed Harrison, more accustomed to 400m hurdling, set a lifetime fastest of 21.71s - not bad as he'd already cracked his 100m best some hours earlier with a fine 10.79 sprint!
Omardo Anson clocked 22.41s which was a fraction outside his best, but that was after setting a personal best 100m time earlier of 11.07s. Melvyn Anukam clocked a personal best 11.20s in the 100m, and came close to his 200m best with 22.52s. None of the times had wind speeds either against or following of any significance.
Youngest member of the group, 15-year-old Phillip Robinson also got among the personal bests with a lifetime's fastest 11.35s in the 100m, and a 23.47s 200m which was just outside the best mark he set at Gainesville a week earlier.
"We've got some very tired athletes at the end of this trip after that meeting," said John, "but they have now proved twice that they are in the shape of their lives and, after a few days recovery, will be ready to roll back in the UK."
Trackspeed1 arrive back in the UK on Tuesday morning (1st May)
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Thursday, 26 April 2012
NEXT STOP LAKE BRANTLEY
Trackspeed1 sprinters continue their early season competitive programme with a trip to Lake Brantley High School on Saturday.
Their annual participation in what will be the 20th Florida Gliders Classic will see coach John Powell looking for his troops to continue where they left off at Gainsville a week earlier.
The Central Florida meet saw TS1 men achieve the best opening day ever, and the news from Stateside is that everyone is fighting fit for Saturday, including crocks from last week Melvyn Anukam and Andrew Matthews.
"We're looking forward to it," said John, "and just as long as people manage the inevitable heat there, we should see some more great performances."
Trackspeed1 round off their trip with a final recovery session on Sunday before flying home Monday night.
Their annual participation in what will be the 20th Florida Gliders Classic will see coach John Powell looking for his troops to continue where they left off at Gainsville a week earlier.
The Central Florida meet saw TS1 men achieve the best opening day ever, and the news from Stateside is that everyone is fighting fit for Saturday, including crocks from last week Melvyn Anukam and Andrew Matthews.
"We're looking forward to it," said John, "and just as long as people manage the inevitable heat there, we should see some more great performances."
Trackspeed1 round off their trip with a final recovery session on Sunday before flying home Monday night.
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| Trackspeed1 pose for the camera before another training session in Orlando. Rear L-R: David Bolarinwa, Ed Harrison, James Ellington, Jason Hussain, John Allen (physio'), and front L-R: Edmond Amaning, Omardo Anson, Andrew Matthews, Phillip Robinson, Melvyn Anukam |
Sunday, 22 April 2012
TRACKSPEED1 OPENER THE BEST - EVER!
Trackspeed1 sprinters opened their 2012 account in Gainsville, USA, yesterday (Saturday 21st) and produced the best set of results ever achieved by the squad on the opening day of any summer campaign.
Lifetime best marks went tumbling as John Powell's young stars got off to a flying start at the University of Florida track in Central Florida.
Arguably the best performances of the day came from European Junior Champion David Bolarinwa. He clocked one of his fastest ever 100m times of 10.33s to win his heat ahead of a classy field. But then he went on to the 200m, and immediately found himself lined up against fellow Brit Adam Gemilli.
Gemilli had the final say with a winning personal best 20.70, but David's 20.78 was a huge personal best, achieved as he said afterwards, with still more in the tank. All times at the meeting were wind legal.
These achievements had not come easily. Just as the athletes were getting ready to warm up for the 100m races, the heavens opened, and thunder storms enveloped the nine-lane circuit. The meeting was suspended well over two hours, which meant the athletes were competing deep into the evening.
Olympic hopeful James Ellington was first onto the stage with a fine 10.35s to win his heat - by far and away the fastest he has ever opened a season with, and this year he had started even earlier than usual! In the 200m he clocked 21.04s winning his heat again, and notching another mark that was way ahead of any other season opener in past years.
It had to be the most encouraging start to any season Coach John Powell had ever seen, and he confessed to being a little startled after the dramatic weather conditions that threatened for so long to terminate proceedings completely:
"It was fantastic to see my guys firing so well so early," he said, "I never ever line athletes up to intentionally PB on day one - that would be pure folly. But that is just what some people did, and believe me there is way more to come from everyone yet."
In the other sprints heats, Edmond Amaning at last cast 18 months of injury frustration behind him with a lifetime fastest 10.88s in the 100m, and 21.74s in the 200m, but he was one that John Powell specifically singled out as having far more to come:
"Edmond is a potential dark horse this year," he said, "he is a massive talent, and if he can stay clear of injury he could do very well indeed as a junior."
Omardo Anson equalled his 100m PB with 11.10s in his heat, and improved his 200m mark to 22.34s, while Jason Hussain notched 21.74s in his 200m heat after a 10.97s effort in the 100m.
Youngest squad member, fifteen-year-old Phillip Robinson, opened his track debut with solid 11.44 and 23.45s performances over both sprints - pretty reasonable while competing up to four years out of his age, and a t a meeting where world best times were being set in earlier rounds!
In the 400m hurdles, England Champion Ed Harrison clipped hurdle one, and clattered into hurdle two, but still managed to recover to record his fastest ever opener of 52.70s.
Trackspeed1 continue their pre-season preparations with further training in Orlando this week, and then compete again at the 20th Florida Glider's Spring Classic meeting, at Lake Brantley High School, on Saturday (28th). They return to the UK on May 1st.
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| Trackspeed1's Olympic hopeful James Ellington gets some last minute therapy from 2012 TeamGB physio' , John Allen, who is working with the squad in the States |
Arguably the best performances of the day came from European Junior Champion David Bolarinwa. He clocked one of his fastest ever 100m times of 10.33s to win his heat ahead of a classy field. But then he went on to the 200m, and immediately found himself lined up against fellow Brit Adam Gemilli.
Gemilli had the final say with a winning personal best 20.70, but David's 20.78 was a huge personal best, achieved as he said afterwards, with still more in the tank. All times at the meeting were wind legal.
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| Some of the TS1 squad get ready for the meet in the Gainsville stadium |
Olympic hopeful James Ellington was first onto the stage with a fine 10.35s to win his heat - by far and away the fastest he has ever opened a season with, and this year he had started even earlier than usual! In the 200m he clocked 21.04s winning his heat again, and notching another mark that was way ahead of any other season opener in past years.
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| The Gainsville track is awash as the meet is suspended during storms. The meet restarted but ran deep into the evening, making it a marathon day for the sprinters who had driven up from Orlando for the day! |
"It was fantastic to see my guys firing so well so early," he said, "I never ever line athletes up to intentionally PB on day one - that would be pure folly. But that is just what some people did, and believe me there is way more to come from everyone yet."
In the other sprints heats, Edmond Amaning at last cast 18 months of injury frustration behind him with a lifetime fastest 10.88s in the 100m, and 21.74s in the 200m, but he was one that John Powell specifically singled out as having far more to come:
"Edmond is a potential dark horse this year," he said, "he is a massive talent, and if he can stay clear of injury he could do very well indeed as a junior."
Omardo Anson equalled his 100m PB with 11.10s in his heat, and improved his 200m mark to 22.34s, while Jason Hussain notched 21.74s in his 200m heat after a 10.97s effort in the 100m.
Youngest squad member, fifteen-year-old Phillip Robinson, opened his track debut with solid 11.44 and 23.45s performances over both sprints - pretty reasonable while competing up to four years out of his age, and a t a meeting where world best times were being set in earlier rounds!
In the 400m hurdles, England Champion Ed Harrison clipped hurdle one, and clattered into hurdle two, but still managed to recover to record his fastest ever opener of 52.70s.
Trackspeed1 continue their pre-season preparations with further training in Orlando this week, and then compete again at the 20th Florida Glider's Spring Classic meeting, at Lake Brantley High School, on Saturday (28th). They return to the UK on May 1st.
Friday, 20 April 2012
GO TIME FOR 2012 !
Trackspeed1 at last open their 2012 account tomorrow (Saturday 21st) at the Tom Jones Memorial Meeting, in Gainsville, Florida, USA.
All but one of the athletes currently in the southern state for pre-season training will be in action, mostly in the 100m and 200m events.
World Championship sprinter James Ellington leads the field in both sprints, while European Junior 200m champion David Bolarinwa will be looking to tag on to his coat tails as he has been in training this last week.
England Champion Ed Harrison goes over 400m hurdles, and the whole squad will be supported by coach John Powell, and TeamGB lead physio' John Allen, who has joined the party for the second part of their training camp.
"We are in pretty good shape," confirmed John Powell, "and apart from the normal one or two niggles pre-season, the Gainsville meet should be a positive opener. I'm never looking for PB's first time out - just good, well-executed performances. Our programme doesn't lend itself to early peaks, but comparisons with previous years will be interesting, as one or two guys have shattered training rep' times from 2011."
Trackspeed1 are in the States for another 10 days, with a second warm-up meet in Orlando - the 20th Florida Gliders Spring Classic, at Lake Brantley High School, on Saturday April 28th.
All but one of the athletes currently in the southern state for pre-season training will be in action, mostly in the 100m and 200m events.
World Championship sprinter James Ellington leads the field in both sprints, while European Junior 200m champion David Bolarinwa will be looking to tag on to his coat tails as he has been in training this last week.
England Champion Ed Harrison goes over 400m hurdles, and the whole squad will be supported by coach John Powell, and TeamGB lead physio' John Allen, who has joined the party for the second part of their training camp.
"We are in pretty good shape," confirmed John Powell, "and apart from the normal one or two niggles pre-season, the Gainsville meet should be a positive opener. I'm never looking for PB's first time out - just good, well-executed performances. Our programme doesn't lend itself to early peaks, but comparisons with previous years will be interesting, as one or two guys have shattered training rep' times from 2011."
Trackspeed1 are in the States for another 10 days, with a second warm-up meet in Orlando - the 20th Florida Gliders Spring Classic, at Lake Brantley High School, on Saturday April 28th.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
PREPARING WELL STATESIDE
Trackspeed1 preparations for the summer season are going well - that was the latest bulletin from Florida, USA, where the majority of the squad have emigrated to for pre-seasopn training.
After deciding against competing in Gainsville on 5-6th April, preparations are going well for their fist meeting of the year, also in Gainsville, on Saturday April 21st.
"We've had the usual few niggles here and there," reported coach John Powell, "but all in all everyone is in shape, and I think we can promise a couple of dark horses emerging on the scene this year!"
This wekend sees a break from training with Saturday and Sunday off, but then preparations begin again in earnest on Monday for the final run-in to Gainsville.
After deciding against competing in Gainsville on 5-6th April, preparations are going well for their fist meeting of the year, also in Gainsville, on Saturday April 21st.
"We've had the usual few niggles here and there," reported coach John Powell, "but all in all everyone is in shape, and I think we can promise a couple of dark horses emerging on the scene this year!"
This wekend sees a break from training with Saturday and Sunday off, but then preparations begin again in earnest on Monday for the final run-in to Gainsville.
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| Trackspeed1 in training at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex |
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| Squad therapist Greg' Funnell gives a little trackside attention to Jason Hussain |
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| Coach John Powell gives an ESPN media team an interview on his group's experiences Stateside over the past 13 years. |
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| A few TS1 athletes take time out for a happy snap post-training. L-R (back): Phillip Robinson, Ed Harrison, Melvyn Anukam, and front: Omardo Anson, Edmond Amaning, David Bolarinwa, Jason Hussain. |
Thursday, 5 April 2012
TS1 GO STATESIDE
Trackspeed1 emigrated to the United states of America on Sunday - just in time to avoid the cold snap back home! Based in Orlando, Florida, they are now basking in 90 degrees and near perfect conditions to put final preparations together for summer 2012.
Olympic sprints prospect James Ellington leads the pack with European Junior 200m Champion David Bolarinwa, alongside the likes of former internationals Andrew Matthews and Jason Hussain. Among the junior athletes are Omardo Anson (18), and youngest of the bunch, Phillip Robinson, just 15 and on the trip of a lifetime.
"Phillip is on a vertical learning curve," laughed coach John Powell. "He's shaking hands with pain in the gym, whilst looking round in awe at the amazing facilities a US training base provide. It'll be great experience for him, and he should go home a little fitter into the bargain!"
It's a huge year for many British athletes as track and field will never have a higher profile, and so all are anxious to optimise their return. The venue is one that TS1 have used for many years, and provides a virtual home from home for the majority.
"We've started off well this week," said John, " but have scratched the idea of competing in Gainsville on Friday/Saturday. It was a great idea while it lasted, but we aren't quite ready, and I don't want athletes going into their first competition of the year with niggling doubts as to readiness in their heads. We will be ready instead for 2 weeks' time, and that should see all of us ready to roll!"
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| Melvyn Anukam runs into Omardo Anson as TS1 rehearse a few relay changes ahead of race meets later in the trip. British Senior James Ellington, and Ed Harrison look on. |
"Phillip is on a vertical learning curve," laughed coach John Powell. "He's shaking hands with pain in the gym, whilst looking round in awe at the amazing facilities a US training base provide. It'll be great experience for him, and he should go home a little fitter into the bargain!"
It's a huge year for many British athletes as track and field will never have a higher profile, and so all are anxious to optimise their return. The venue is one that TS1 have used for many years, and provides a virtual home from home for the majority.
"We've started off well this week," said John, " but have scratched the idea of competing in Gainsville on Friday/Saturday. It was a great idea while it lasted, but we aren't quite ready, and I don't want athletes going into their first competition of the year with niggling doubts as to readiness in their heads. We will be ready instead for 2 weeks' time, and that should see all of us ready to roll!"
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