Author: megs

WOW! What a day. I think we’ve all just about recovered from the excitement of yesterday. We were truly honoured to be visited by GB athletes Lawrence Clarke, Christine Ohuruogu and Greg Rutherford.

Startrack athletes impressed the Olympians with their athletic prowess, while Christine, Greg and Lawrence gave advice and encouragement to help them become Olympians of the future.

It was an amazing day. Through a question and answer session with the stars we found out that Greg plans to get selected for the GB 4 x 100m team in the future and he also thinks he might be able to beat Bolt! (At the long jump.)  The athletes posed for many photos and gave loads of autographs; they really did everything they could to inspire those around them.

Thank you so much Christine, Greg and Lawrence.  We’re all so grateful to you for giving up your time to come and see us.  Best of luck for tomorrow’s Diamond League. And a big thanks to UK Athletics for selecting our club to host such an exciting event.

This week, there will be a 60m sprint straight in Birmingham City Centre (outside the Town Hall – where the German Market is every Christmas).  To show the public how it should be done, R.S.C.A.C. have got use of the track from 2pm – 5pm today.  If you’re a RSCAC athlete/coach/official/supporter come and show your support. If you intend to take part, bring your club vest and spikes. We’ll do a training session of warm up, drills, sprint starts and sprints over a short distance. Then we’ll all get a timed 60m run in. (There is electronic timing).

I shall be getting the train in from Sutton. If you wish to join me, be at the Sutton ticket office at 1pm. We’ll be back at Sutton station at about 5:45.

Earlier today, 20 members of R.S.C.A.C. got to see a selection of athletes from the Jamaican Track and Field team. The Jamaican athletes’ training session was opened to carefully picked members of the public as well as the media.  Athletes present included: Dominique Blake (female 400m women), Shericka Williams (female 400m), Novlene Williams-Mills (female 400m), Jermaine Gonzales (male 400m), Edino Steele (male 400m), Errol Nolan (male 400m), Damar Forbes (male long jump) and Jason Morgan (male discus).

Seeing the athletes up close was amazing and their speed was phenomenal.  The atmosphere in the stadium was electric; with all spectators being given a Jamaican flag and reggae music blasting from the sound system.  Levi Roots of ‘Raggae Raggae Sauce’ fame was also on site to cheer the athletes along.

All the R.S.C.A.C members present now truly have the Olympic spirit and cannot wait for the games to kick off on Friday.

Fiona and myself have just attended a coaching conference with the head coaches of the USA Track and Field team (Amy Deem and Andrew Valmon).  110m hurdler and world leader this year, Aries Merritt was also on the panel; telling us some of the secrets as to why he is so good.  It was an insightful evening. Thanks to the organisers and the Americans for giving up their time.  I’ll also now be cheering on Aries as well as team GB!