Training is tough and will only get tougher

Training is tough, that’s expected.  I’m getting tired, that’s expected.  It’s going to get tougher, that’s expected.  These are facts that professional athletes have to come to terms with and accept.  It is normal reaction to conserve, protect, dodge or avoid real work- to take the easier option.  Indeed in  most professions the economic option is probably the correct one- in sport it never ever is.

Training with a group is such an advantage in learning.  I can see reactions and responses in all my training partners – learn new approaches and siphon out the poor decisions they make.  When I was away last week I missed them and I missed the mountains.  We are becoming a team and not a team from a country or a town.  A real team that try and create excellence in our environment and in our pursuits.  It is a privilege to be here.

Last week I popped back to England to fulfil some sponsorship obligations.  A photo shoot at Sigma sports, a training session with Instant Offices in Hyde Park and a sunny afternoon spent at Basildon Gloucester Park Athletics ground on behalf of Essex legacy and active school week.

It was great to see young kids giving the different athletic events a go, all with smiles and all doing their best.  Throughout secondary school Gloucester park was the scene of many back breaking track workouts with my old club Brentwood Athletics Club.  It may be that I’m getting old but I felt some sorrow that they have knocked down the old concrete block club rooms to be replaced with a full on stadium.  Those cold concrete rooms saw a lot of blood, sweat and tears from our workouts.

 Kings of Leon that evening in Hyde Park...it was awesome- a brilliant venue, an even better crowd and a humble and hard working band...worth the four hours sleep to get back to Leysin and how I missed it when I’m away.

Back in Leysin the days are spent getting ready for the London WS and all the races in August, the world cup, Wimbledon and the Tour de France all daily sources of inspiration on tired, tired days.

Just a shout out to Bek Keat for Roth next weekend, she is in awesome shape and will kick arse no doubt.  Also to Nic Spirig who retained her European Title in Athlone this weekend.  I would have loved to have been there but I guess I didn’t fit in with the team tactic.....which wasn’t that successful for the women.   Anyway, another weekend it will be different. Stay cool homies ;)