Trackspeed1 coach John Powell has had a fortnight to see his enlarged and diverse squad of athletes for 2011 back in training, and he is already wondering whether 2011 could just be the strongest year ever!
"I have taken on a few more athletes than I had intended, but the group is gelling really well. The seniors mentor the younger athletes, and the general environment is really upbeat and positive. People are willing to really work hard, which at this stage of the game is vital if you are to have half a chance in the New Year."
The squad include a number of new international standard athletes as well as developing youngsters, not forgetting the existing elite achievers like James Ellington, the 2010 UK number 3 over 100m, and the World's fastest under-18, David Bolarinwa, who only turned 17 last week.
"Of the new guys there are still one or two whose life in the group could be quite short if they don't wake up to the reality of hard work," John continued, "but we have some real workers too.
"Ellis Zorro works hard, and twins Kieron and Anton Daly are grafters, as is Joshua Atille, and Edmond Amaning is really impressive. We are also delighted to see that Lawrence Wooldridge was able to adjust his working routine to join us after all - a 21.5 200m athlete is always going to be a positive addition to the existing clan of Hussain, Grant, Ellington, Bolarinwa and others, even if there are a few tenths to make up on paper!
Lucozade testing session sets the standard
Trackspeed1's new-found partnership with Lucozade saw Sports Scientist Joel Enoch carry out a number of base level tests at Crystal Palace today (Sunday 24th October), which will be repeated throughout the winter months into next season.
The tests were for reaction time out of blocks and speed / acceleration over 30m. Then there were jump tests to assess power. The results will be used to compare progress through the squad training programme this winter, and will highlight areas that might need additional attention.
"We are delighted to be working with Lucozade," said John Powell, "it is a unique opportunity for everyone, and has already produced some fascinating data.
James Ellington was unsurprisingly the strongest statistically, with Danny Doyley just behind, but the newest recruit to the squad, currently on a month's trial, was the youngster who caught Joel's eye. Omardo Anson (17) was referred from John Powell's Met-Track scheme and, although very raw in terms of experience, produced one of the most impressive sets of statistics overall.
"He's a very very raw talent," said John, "and he did a totally unconventional start for the runs. That alone will improve him further. It will certainly be interesting to see how he goes."
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
TRACKSPEED1 READY FOR LIFT OFF !
The preliminaries are over, the new guys have been briefed and, despite a slight alteration to the start date, this weekend sees the new Trackspeed1 squad for this winter swing back into action.
The group will reconvene at Crystal Palace on Sunday (October 10th) when every athlete will be put through a rigorous fitness test to assess just how well their preparation training has gone.
"There's no messing around this year," said coach John Powell, " I am absolutely not interested in anyone who is not willing to put the work in. If I can get up at 5am to go to work in order to ensure I can make training, the least my athletes can do is apply themselves to the job in hand."
Talking of the new faces who have joined the group, John was extremely upbeat about their prospects, but lamented what he referred to as the "usual gossip" about how they came to join the squad:
"I haven't taken on anyone who I do not believe 100 per cent can improve with our training regime - what would be the point? There's been the usual banter though about athletes moving around between coaches this summer, but I sleep easy at night - every one of the new athletes to Trackspeed1 approached us first, and not the other way round.
"It's never pleasant losing an athlete to another coach (heaven knows, I do know!) but you have to move on - no coach owns an athlete and if the athlete wants to move on there is absolutely nothing you can do about it."
John was especially delighted that former Trackspeed1 400m sprinter Mark Brown has returned to the squad after a 2-year absence. His personal best of 46.3 back in 2008 he hasn't come close to since, and is now hoping that he can rekindle the form that brought him to within one trial race of a place in the Beijing Olympic Games.
The group will reconvene at Crystal Palace on Sunday (October 10th) when every athlete will be put through a rigorous fitness test to assess just how well their preparation training has gone.
"There's no messing around this year," said coach John Powell, " I am absolutely not interested in anyone who is not willing to put the work in. If I can get up at 5am to go to work in order to ensure I can make training, the least my athletes can do is apply themselves to the job in hand."
Talking of the new faces who have joined the group, John was extremely upbeat about their prospects, but lamented what he referred to as the "usual gossip" about how they came to join the squad:
"I haven't taken on anyone who I do not believe 100 per cent can improve with our training regime - what would be the point? There's been the usual banter though about athletes moving around between coaches this summer, but I sleep easy at night - every one of the new athletes to Trackspeed1 approached us first, and not the other way round.
"It's never pleasant losing an athlete to another coach (heaven knows, I do know!) but you have to move on - no coach owns an athlete and if the athlete wants to move on there is absolutely nothing you can do about it."
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| Mark Brown rejoins Trackspeed1 for the coming winter. |
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
POWELL'S ULTIMATUM TO CLASS OF 2011 !
Although still on vacation in the U.S., Trackspeed1 coach John Powell today fired a warning shot across the bows of all his squad of 2010-11, saying that they need to be fit to stay with the group past day one!
Squad training restarts on Thursday October 7th, although it is highly likely that Powell will call together the considerable number of new faces a couple of days before that.
"We have become quite popular of late," said John who is currently in Las Vegas, " and I have had to turn a number of athletes down who have approached us. Numbers are in fact a little higher than I would have liked, but that is fine as long as every last one of them realise what is expected.
"We begin with a fitness test and anyone failing to impress will get their marching orders. If they can't be bothered to get fit to train, then I can't be bothered to invest the time and effort needed to see them through our winter programme.
"All the new faces will be required to meet at Crystal Palace on Tuesday 5th for a meeting where I will spell out very clearly where the goalposts are in terms of continued association with the squad. After that, it is up to them.
"We have massive potential for 2011 now both among the younger ranks and the seniors, and I would even ay we have at least 2-3 candidates for potential contention for 2012. But potential means nothing until it is realised."
John has stamped a new motto on every page of the squad's new winter training schedule which reads: "Train hard, win easy". It was the trademark of World under-18 100m number one David Bolarinwa this year, but both agreed it could be adopted as a simple but most effective motto for all.
Are YOU new to Trackspeed1 this winter? Make sure John has your mobile number and email address or you won't get squad / training updates over the coming weeks!
Squad training restarts on Thursday October 7th, although it is highly likely that Powell will call together the considerable number of new faces a couple of days before that.
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| Trackspeed1 coach John Powell takes time out on holiday to relax as well as have a bit of fun before the serious business of winter training, which begins early next month. |
"We begin with a fitness test and anyone failing to impress will get their marching orders. If they can't be bothered to get fit to train, then I can't be bothered to invest the time and effort needed to see them through our winter programme.
"All the new faces will be required to meet at Crystal Palace on Tuesday 5th for a meeting where I will spell out very clearly where the goalposts are in terms of continued association with the squad. After that, it is up to them.
"We have massive potential for 2011 now both among the younger ranks and the seniors, and I would even ay we have at least 2-3 candidates for potential contention for 2012. But potential means nothing until it is realised."
John has stamped a new motto on every page of the squad's new winter training schedule which reads: "Train hard, win easy". It was the trademark of World under-18 100m number one David Bolarinwa this year, but both agreed it could be adopted as a simple but most effective motto for all.
Are YOU new to Trackspeed1 this winter? Make sure John has your mobile number and email address or you won't get squad / training updates over the coming weeks!
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Trackspeed1 September News
The winter schedules commence on Thursday October 7th, when the new-look squad will gather at Crystal Palace and face immediate scrutiny buy their coach with a fitness test.
"I'm not interested in athletes who sit on their backsides completely during the rest period," said John powell, "and everyone is expected to be 'fit to train' on 7th, and a little test will show exactly who is and who isn't.
It's a great squad for 2010-11 and if everyone works together, we could see some really dramatic headlines on this site next year!"
Sunday, 5 September 2010
SQUAD 2011 TAKING SHAPE
Trackspeed1 coach John Powell has revealed that the training squad that will carry the group's label into 2011 is finally taking shape after an unprecedented number of requests from new joiners.
Several athletes, many as a result of visiting this site, have expressed interest in training at Crystal Palace this winter, but only a very elite few have been given the nod.
"It's great that people want to join us," said John, "but quite apart from keeping numbers down to a practical level, Trackspeed1's reputation revolves around international athletes or young athletes who have developed to a high standard, many internationally, from novice.
"I always want to keep my feet on the ground with young blood, but I have to respect my senior athletes whose lives revolve around their success or otherwise, and their training environment is of paramount importance.
"This said, we have some outstanding talent joining the squad this winter, and probably now have one of the strongest squads we have had for a while. The new year could be very exciting indeed."
Joining the likes of Youth Olympic Games double medalist David Bolarinwa, former Olympian Dwayne Grant, and British number four over 100m, James Ellington, will be another English Schools 200m Champion, Edmond Amaning. Bolarinwa, Grant, and Ellington all won schools titles on their way through the sport.
In addition, Lawrence Wooldridge, a 21.5 / 48.2 200/400m sprinter joins the Palace squad and will be excellent company for the Trackspeed1 seniors. And then there is the potential dark horse of junior sprinting fo[r 2011, 17-year-old Reyss Albert. Reyss is in town from native Grenada, but is a British citizen, and has two years as an under-20 to go, with a pb of 10.66s over the 100m sprint.
"Reyss is far from in shape at present," said John, "but if he works hard he could really turn heads next year."
John has also admitted two or three younger athletes to wrap around his younger squad members this year which, he says, "adds a really good balance" to training for this winter. "I hate saying no to athletes," he went on, "but you've got to be practical. I just hope the guys we have taken on prove they were worth it!"
Several athletes, many as a result of visiting this site, have expressed interest in training at Crystal Palace this winter, but only a very elite few have been given the nod.
"It's great that people want to join us," said John, "but quite apart from keeping numbers down to a practical level, Trackspeed1's reputation revolves around international athletes or young athletes who have developed to a high standard, many internationally, from novice.
"I always want to keep my feet on the ground with young blood, but I have to respect my senior athletes whose lives revolve around their success or otherwise, and their training environment is of paramount importance.
"This said, we have some outstanding talent joining the squad this winter, and probably now have one of the strongest squads we have had for a while. The new year could be very exciting indeed."
Joining the likes of Youth Olympic Games double medalist David Bolarinwa, former Olympian Dwayne Grant, and British number four over 100m, James Ellington, will be another English Schools 200m Champion, Edmond Amaning. Bolarinwa, Grant, and Ellington all won schools titles on their way through the sport.
In addition, Lawrence Wooldridge, a 21.5 / 48.2 200/400m sprinter joins the Palace squad and will be excellent company for the Trackspeed1 seniors. And then there is the potential dark horse of junior sprinting fo[r 2011, 17-year-old Reyss Albert. Reyss is in town from native Grenada, but is a British citizen, and has two years as an under-20 to go, with a pb of 10.66s over the 100m sprint.
"Reyss is far from in shape at present," said John, "but if he works hard he could really turn heads next year."
John has also admitted two or three younger athletes to wrap around his younger squad members this year which, he says, "adds a really good balance" to training for this winter. "I hate saying no to athletes," he went on, "but you've got to be practical. I just hope the guys we have taken on prove they were worth it!"
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
SATURDAY SHOWDOWN FOR BOLARINWA
Trackspeed1's David Bolarinwa faces a Saturday evening showdown with his Jamaican rival in the first ever Youth Olympic Games 100 metres final, 2110hrs local time (1410 UK).
See his blog for a full report on today's heats, and how Britain's world leader in the event at the moment qualified for the final as the fastest in all five heats...
See his blog for a full report on today's heats, and how Britain's world leader in the event at the moment qualified for the final as the fastest in all five heats...
Monday, 16 August 2010
DAVID READY TO ROCK!
Trackspeed1 sprinter is ready for the off in Singapore as he completed his final preparatory training session today at the Anglo-English Independent School facility.
See his regular daily update at the link top left of this site's home page. He starts the 100m in the first ever Youth Olympic Games on Wednesday as the fastest under-18 in the world...
See his regular daily update at the link top left of this site's home page. He starts the 100m in the first ever Youth Olympic Games on Wednesday as the fastest under-18 in the world...
Saturday, 14 August 2010
BOLARINWA TO MAKE HISTORY IN LEADING TEAMGB IN FRONT OF MILLIONS!
Trackspeed1 sprinter David Bolarinwa is to make history in Singapore as he leads TeamGB out in front of a multi-million worldwide TV audience, at the opening ceremony of the first ever Youth Olympic Games.
See our dedicated blog top left of the home page on this site for pictures and daily updates from the Far East...
See our dedicated blog top left of the home page on this site for pictures and daily updates from the Far East...
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
DAVID ARRIVES IN SINGAPORE AS WORLD NUMBER ONE!
David Bolarinwa landed in the Far East yesterday as the world number one over 100 metres after his sensational sprint double at lee Valley last week.
See his Singapore blog on this website for his progress. His 10.39s sprint in the north London open meeting took him to the summit of the 2010 world lists as he prepared to travel east to Singapore for the first ever World Youth Olympic Games.
Watch this blog for updates as to how David progresses after landing in the Orient!!
See his Singapore blog on this website for his progress. His 10.39s sprint in the north London open meeting took him to the summit of the 2010 world lists as he prepared to travel east to Singapore for the first ever World Youth Olympic Games.
Watch this blog for updates as to how David progresses after landing in the Orient!!
Sunday, 1 August 2010
BOLARINWA CHASES HIS (YOUTH) OLYMPIC DREAM
Sixteen-year-old Trackspeed1 sprinter, David Bolarinwa, unbeaten over 100m this year, and Europe's number one under-18, faces the race of his life later this month in the World Youth Olympic Games. But he will have to complete last minute preparations without the coach that has taken him to the brink of Youth Olympic glory.
David wins the European 100m Olympic Trials in Moscow
Coach John Powell, who has remortgaged to travel out to Singapore so he can support his protégée - a real TeamGB medal hope - says that he could be twiddling his fingers in a hotel room rather than helping the Thamesmead-based Cambridge Harrier prepare for the event of a lifetime.
"UK Athletics warned me there may be a problem," he said, "and it appears that the organising committee in Singapore have said that there will be no accreditations for personal coaches. At one stage I wasn't even going to get in to see David compete, because all the tickets were sold out, but then thankfully the British Olympic Association stepped in and said they could sell coaches tickets for sessions relevant to their athletes. The journey has cost me a fortune, but I want to see a fantastic season through to its climax."
"We won't know for sure whether I can access the training track before the Games begin. The very idea of possibly not being able to coach David for the final ten days before the event is quite bizarre. David will have a detailed training programme, and I'm sure the team staff will do all they can to ensure he completes it if I can't.
"Having seen him through his first serious winter of training, followed him to the European title in Moscow, and overseen an outstanding unbeaten season in the UK to date, I would of course rather like to finish the job! I can't criticise the British authorities though - UKA and the British Olympic Association seem to have done everything they can, and the flow of information on the event throughout the season has been really helpful in guiding David's preparations."
David is all smiles as he meets leading USA sprints coach Brooks Johnson during pre-season training in Florida
Bolarinwa starts as a strong favourite to medal in the blue ribband event of any Olympics. This is the first ever 'Youth Olympics' and will take on the format of a full Olympic Games incorporating all sports, but aimed at participants from all over the globe aged under 18.
The South East Londoner is ranked second in the world at present, a fraction behind a Jamaican rival whose best currently stands at 10.46s. But TeamGB's brightest young sprints prospect in years remains a firm hope for a medal on the day - which colour remains to be seen!
Bolarinwa has won the English under-20 title as well as the English Schools under-17 championship, not to mention the international schools crown. His fastest 100m time came in the English under-20 final when he clocked a wind legal 10.47s, after timing a slightly wind-assisted 10.43s in an earlier round.
"I'm going out to Singapore to win," he said, "but as long as I bring home a medal, I guess I'll be fairly happy. The whole trip's going to be amazing, but I'm going to have to really get it together to achieve my goals there. I want two golds ideally - with Europe winning the relay too!"
An additional pressure on David will be documentary cameras from CBBC's Blue Peter programme, who are filming him and three other TeamGB athletes from airport to track and home again for footage that will go out early in the New Year.
"This will be a great adventure for David," said Powell, "but he must remain incredibly focussed throughout the trip if he is to get even close to the winners' rostrum."
Check out this website for up-to-date news on how David's preparations go and then how he deals with the world's most talented teenage sprinters in Singapore!
Check out this website for up-to-date news on how David's preparations go and then how he deals with the world's most talented teenage sprinters in Singapore!
Apprentice David learns from senior international training
partner James Ellington as they review training video footage
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