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.

Trackspeed1 in training at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Squad therapist Greg' Funnell gives a little trackside attention to
Jason Hussain

Coach John Powell gives an ESPN media team an interview on his
group's experiences Stateside over the past 13 years.

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.

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.

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.

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!"

LONDON 2012 - A SOUR TASTE SAYS POWELL

It's the pinnacle of any athlete's career, and arguably the ultimate achievement of any coach - competing or coaching an athlete who goes on to compete in an Olympic Games.  But for Trackseed1 coach John Powell, the feeling of elation if sprints favourite James Ellington makes it to Stratford this summer could be tinged with bitterness.

The statistics have been around for years as to how many countries, athletes, journalists, tourists, spectators... will converge on London in July, and the work needed to run the biggest show on earth is little short of phenomenal. 

But for those who have toiled night and day, invested time, effort, money... blood, sweat, tears, and suffered tidal wave after tidal wave of emotion with the ups and downs of athlete progress, their reward is to watch their charge on the bniggest day of their lives - on TV in their own sitting room!

"Let's be vey clear here," says John.  "This is not the fault of UK Athletics, or of the British Olympic Association.  It is the way the International Ollympic Committee have always worked.  Access for coaches is hugely restricted and always has been - remember Chariots of Fire?

"It doesn't make it any easier though, and because it's always been the case doesn't mean to say it shouldn't change.  There are many sports whose coaches are afforded access, and of course UKA will have a full staff to support the athletes TeamGB send for the athletics events, and that support will be outstanding as always. 

"But the personal coach?  The guy who has worked for years and years with the athlete, ridden the rollercoaster of emotions any sporting career inevitably brings, and ultimately grooms one of the best athletes in a given discipline in the world?  Unless he's lucky in the ticket lottery everyone else had to endure (and I wasn't!) it's a packet of crisps on the sofa in front of the TV!

"In my humble view it is a situation that needs complete review.  If I had 30 minutes at the warmup track with my athlete, and 10 minutes standing in a corner in the stadium to watch him compete, and a brief hand-shake afterwards, that would be good enough for me.  That would be reward enough for everything.

"But all too often personal coaches are treated with contempt by international governing bodies.  Look at the World Youth Olympic Games in Singapore 2 years ago.  With Trackspeed1's David Bolarinwa, the fastest guy on the planet at the time for his age, I couldn't even get a pass to coach him at the training track in the days running up to the Games.  As for access to the event - forget it.  Buy tickets or, in my case, chat up a journalist and sneak in the back door!

"It's not about the athlete being so reliant on their coach that they need me there - it's a respect thing.  Without personal coaches sport would be on its back, and yet time and again they are taken for granted and treated with utter contempt.

"I have no doubt that venting my feelings on this blog will change nothing, but if anyone reading it is in a position to mount a challenge to proceedings for future years - feel free to get in touch.  It's time for change!"

POWELL'S LITTLE MIRACLE!

Trackspeed1 coach John Powell has already begun celebrating 2012 in a way he never thought would be possible in his wildest dreams!

Baby daughter Jasmine was born on February 20th a healthy 7lb 5oz, and made history the moment she entered the world.

Some 21 years ago John was diagnosed with a cancer that went on to very nearly kill him, and he was told that one of the lasting after effects would be that he would never be able to father children again.  But on advice of Doctors for that 'just in case' scenario, he froze some sperm in 1991.

Now married to his second wife, Chanphen, the couple decided in 2011 to cash in on his investment and they had enough money saved for just one round of IVF.  To John's astonishment it worked, and nine months later, Jasmine Ellen Powell turned up!

"I'm in LaLa Land," said John.  "I simply can't believe it.  I look at Jasmine now and have to pinch myself to make sure this is all happening."

John's Cancer nightmare saw him relapse twice and have a pioneering bone marrow transplant back in 1991/2.  His brush with death was rescued only by leading doctors at the time, for whose unit John then raised £7000.  But the most amazing statistic of all is that Jasmine represents the 'oldest' baby ever born in Britain via IVF, and the third oldest in the world.

By tragic coincience, Trackspeed1 athlete Jason Hussain contractd the same desease as John in 2008, but by then treatments had moved on significantly, and within 20 days of finishing chemotherapy - amazingly - he was back on the track!

Jasmine already has a Trackspeed1 babygrow waiting to be worn, but she hasn't quite grown into it yet according to John.  "I had one badged up for a bit of a giggle," he said, "and I'm sure she will be impressed when we put it on her!"

Proud Dad John Powell with baby Jasmine

HUSSAIN HONOURED

Trackspeed1 sprinter Jason Hussain was given an early boost to his 2012 summer preparations last weekend when he featured among the highest honours at the annual Crawley Athletic Club's awards for 2011.

Jason, who moved from belgrave Harriers to become Crawley's sprints number one, set thier team alight with his performances last summer, despite an overall season of disappointment for the club as a whole in the British League.

Jason, now 25, and who represented Great Britain as a junior, received the British Athletics League 'Athletes' Athlete of the year' award, and was also presented with the Senior Men's Sports Personality of the Year award.

"I have really enjoyed my time with Crawley so far," said jason after the ceremony. "They are a great club with huge spirit which is what attracted me in the first place.  You don't need to be at the very top to enjoy your athletics, be part of a great team, and achieve both peronally and as a group."

Jason flies off with trackspeed1 to the USA on April 1st to the group's annual warm weather training camp, and will return on May 1st hoping that 2012 will be as specila a year for him personally as it is l;ikely to be for the sport of track and field across the UK.

Jason won the London Indoor games 200m last month

2012 a year to remember already!

Trackspeed1 is already billing 2012 as a year to etch into the history books!

Coming soon on this blog - news of coach John Powell's new addition, but who won't be training with the squad for a good few years to come...

...And an athlete being honoured for his achievements during the 2011 season. Full update and details here in the next 48 hours!

TRACKSPEED1 ON THE BRINK OF SPONSORSHIP!

Trackspeed1 sprints group, based at Crystal Palace, look poised to become the first British sprints group to land a sponsor.


John Powell declined to say who it was, but did admit to being really excited at the prospect of outside support at last relieving him of single handedly backing his squad.

"It's been tough, and this is the last year I can continue supporting my athletes personally, so the possibility of outside support is fantastic," he said.  "Combined with James Ellington's individual sponsor this year, it'a rhe best possible start to 2012 we could have dreamed of."

HUSSAIN A WINNER IN LONDON GAMES!

It may not be the biggest event of the year in the Capital, but for now Trackspeed1 sprinter Jason Hussain can look upon himself as a Games Champion in East London - which in 2012 is a pretty positive start to the year!

Jason (one from left) emerges victorious at the London Indoor Games

The 25-year-old Crawley AC speedster soared home to victory in the London Indoor Games today (January 28th) with a 200m time of 22.15s at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.  It wasn't his best ever - far from it - and technically it was not one of his better outings - but it produced a win that sends him into the final phase of winter training on a positive note.

"I've had a week out with flu, and before that had a ten-day layoff with a hamstring problem, and have only been back training a fortnight, so I'll take that," he said after the race.  His time is equivalent to performances a year ago when he was in better shape, and 2011 saw him end the summer with the fastest time of his life over the same distance outdoors!

"I have told my lot they can do what they like in January, but from next week we are back into winter training," said coach John Powell.  "As I've said many times - everything is much earlier this year because of the Olympics, and I for one am not going to be caught out with athletes lacking endurance in what will be the biggest year for track and field in UK history!"

In the same meeting, Trackspeed1 under-20 Omardo Anson proved to be the second fastest in the meeting as a junior, recording 22.80s in his race, despite sensing a tight hamstring half way round.

Omardo Anson is at his marks and ready to roll toward what was the
second fastest 200m mark by a junior at the London Indoor Games

"I couldn't open up properly on the back straight," he said afterwards, "and I didn't really attack the last bend as a result, but it was an ok run.  I ran 22.3 last year outdoors, so it's at least as good as that.  Running injury-free, I really hope this year will see a sub-22s run."

Omardo's success gave his coach extra satisfaction as an athlete recruited from his Met-Track scheme 18 months ago continues to progress in the sport.

"I have seen Omardo mature as a person as well as progress as an athlete," said John, "and that is massive job satisfaction for me."

Day two of the Games could see the action step up as James Ellington takes to the boards once more with the 60m tomorrow (Sunday 29th), along with Trackspeed1 sprinters Alex Ojo, David Bolarinwa, Kieran Daly, and others.

Jason Hussain is set to go at Lee Valley!

ELLINGTON IN THE FORM OF HIS LIFE

James Ellington ended an amazing week on Sunday with four top class runs as he opened his brief indoor campaign at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, London.

James with his South of England bronze medal at Lee Valley

Competing in the South Of England Championships, he posted four performances underlining that, even at this early stage in 2012, he is in the form of his life.  In the semi-finals he ran 6.69s - equal to his lifetime fastest over 60 metres - before going on to cement that with 6.70s in the final to take joint third and a bronze medal.

The competition opened with a first round win in 7.03s run in a style so relaxed that both athlete and his coach John Powell drew breath at the ease with which he decimated the rest of the field.  The second round was significantly faster with a 6.77s run winning that race too, with the series amounting to the best opening to an indoor season of his life.

Earlier in the week, James had been celebrating landing sponsor King of Shaves after the publicity around his attempt at attracting support through E-Bay stalled, and had again been the centre of significant worldwide media attention.

"James has had one hell of a week," said John Powell after the Lee Valley event.  "His interviews have been beamed all over the globe after a totally innovative approach to getting support through E-Bay.  He now has his sponsor and he is already justifying their support in showing world class potential at Lee valley.

"The guys he was running against had mostly been running indoors already and had already been posting some impressive times.  this was James's first outing, and to be rubbing shoulders with his personal best first time out is simply astounding."

Training colleagues of James in his Trackspeed1 squad were mostly all in action at the same meeting with mixed fortunes.  Outstanding individual of the day though was 19-year-old Kieran Daley, who ran a lifetime's best 60m of 6.96s - shaving over a tenth of a second off his best time of the 2011 indoor campaign.

Andrew Matthews enjoyed an encouraging opening to his season with first and second round 6.95s and  6.87s runs, but earned a roasting from his coach as he pulled up in the last 10 metres of the semi as he slipped out of the top two qualifying places!

Another athlete who was given the benefit of his coach's advice was David Bolarinwa, whose heat performance of 6.91s looked very impressive indeed.  But in the second round, he false started and was immediately disqualified.

"There were aspects of his heat performance which, combined with a false start, which is unacceptable from an experienced international, that I felt were learning opportunities.  He's competing again at the same venue on Sunday in the London Indoor games, and I suspect things will be rather different there!"

ELLINGTON SUCCEEDS BY HIS WHISKERS!

James gets the expert treatment from new sponsors 'King of Shaves, with
CEO and Founder, Will King, giving a quick demonstration!

Trackspeed1 sprinter James Ellington's attempts at auctioning himself on E-Bay in a desperate bid to secure sponsorship failed - but at the last minute, shaving products conglomerate King of Shaves came to the rescue.


The bid of well over the reserve price on E-Bay was revealed to be someone from overseas who misunderstood the process, and they withdrew, leaving James back at square one.  But then came the sponsor who had for several years supported former Trackspeed1 sprinter and World Junior Championship 100m finalist Wade Bennett-Jackson.

James's story has been well documented in the media and has attracted world-wide interest.  Channel 4 News compiled the report which can be seen at Olympics hopeful Ellington's close shave after ebay bid
www.channel4.com 

Will King, CEO and founder of King of Shaves was delighted to support James, and was at the initial press launch of the deal at Crystal Palace track.  All sorts of corny photo's and remarks were bandered about, but the widest smile was from the athlete who can now properly concentrate on preparing for what will be a massive year in an already illustrious career.

Trackspeed1 coach John Powell watched the launch and spoke to Channel 4, along with a Reuters crew  a couple of days later:

"I am truly delighted for James, I really am," he said, "this deal has been a real life-shaver... sorry, saver!!  In all seriousness it takes the pressure right off an athlete's shoulders.  Always looking back at a depleting or near-empty bank balance, wondering where the money will come from to support travel, kit, equipment, you name it.  At least for this year, James has none of those worries to contend with.

"We are  exceptionally lucky in Trackspeed1 as we have a huge amount of good will from top therapists, Adidas who provide heavily discounted kit, and other sources who want to support us at home and abroad.  But bottom line if you want to compete with the best, you have to be fully supported."

Meanwhile back at the office, James opened up his active 2012 account in a slightly different way than usual, competing in the South of England AA indoor 400m at Lee Valley last Sunday (15th).  His 49.93s for the 2-lap sprint was an encouragement to his coach, although the semi-final saw him run out of steam on the final run-in.

"We aren't taking indoors particularly seriously this year, and most are only competing in January before getting back to a month or so of basics," he explained.  "Everything is early this year with Olympic Trials in June, so we have to make sure there is enough gas in the tank to sustain peaks at the right time this summer."

Further pictures from the press launch follow...

 

James partners CEO Will King for his photo-shoot and press interviews, with mother Andrea joining him for a chat with Channel 4.