Can’t believe a month has flown by so quickly. When writing my last blog I had just begun my campaign for 2009… since then I have had a few more runs; including a great win over the 800m in the Golden Spike grand prix, Ostrava, I took some good scalps there. I have also managed to get in a couple of 400m races, the last of which I won in a seasons best time of 52.3…not bad for a half miler.
I moved house three weeks ago, which is probably not advisable in season and although I wasn’t too busy, it was still stressful! My new house is just perfect; spacious and light and with this I feel a whole new sense of organisation and order which is an essential part of the lifestyle of a professional athlete. Training full time for me has meant that I am always on the go so it has been important for me to get the work /life balance right as you should in any career. The only difference with Athletics is your work goes with you…everywhere and all the time!
What I do in my down time often makes or breaks a training session and consequently affects my competition. Since becoming full time I have learnt to incorporate naps into my days. I have been blessed with the ability to try my hand at two events the 400 and 800m. Whilst the 800m is my main discipline, I come at it from a 400m/speed background. Training for both you can imagine at times can be conflicting! I continue to adapt well and I have completed my biggest ever endurance volume and that hasn’t come at the detriment of my speed as we so often see. My coach Ayo Falola has structured my programmes in such a way as to peak when it matters and I have every confidence that come Berlin I will be more than ready to meet the challenge ahead of me!
So that’s it from me…as always it’s been a pleasure, thanks for taking the time. Look forward to meeting some of you at the next McCain roadshow!
Maz’s top tip for July: REST and RECOVERY are just as important as training! Listen to your body, it never lies!
