Tuesday
3rd August 2004
The next instalment
of my diary brings me to the middle of June, and the dreaded
fitness tests! This includes a rowing VO2 max test, wingate
test (I nearly passed out doing this!), Judo fitness test
and various power and weight tests. I am pleased to tell
you that I improved on all of the above, which mean things
are looking good for Athens.
Next on the calendar
was an international training camp in Paris. This was a
very good camp for me as I managed to throw a lot of my
rivals, including the World and European Champions. As the
week came to an end things went slightly wrong when a rather
large girl from Germany trod on my foot doing a Tai-toshi,
which resulted in my foot staying where it was and my body
going over it! This was of course very painful and meant
that I missed the last session. The team physio, Barry Edwards,
got to work on it straight away and when I returned home
carried on with the treatment. I was able to train on it,
but did not try Judo until I went to Spain 3 days later.
It was a flying trip
to Spain as when I tried Judo my foot was to sore and the
team manager sent me home, a) for treatment and b) to find
out exactly what was wrong! On my return home the doctor
put me on crutches, I had a scan and it revealed a bone
bruise and fluid on the tendon. For the next week I was
able to train in the gym and do my weights as normal.
One of the highlights
for any Olympian is going to collect all of their kit for
the games. We did this and I was surprised at how much we
were given, from bags, suits, Adidas clothing to Ben Sherman
knickers! 45 kilos in total! When you receive this kit it
gives you a feeling of pride and a sense of anticipation
that you are actually going to the Olympic Games.
This may sound silly, to get excited over some clothes,
however it really is symbolic!
Although I was planning
to compete in Germany it was thought rather than risk damaging
my foot further I would not fight at this event. This brings
me to mid July and the training really intensified. The
lack of Judo training in the past few weeks meant that I
had to put in extra effort on the mat (as any Judo player
knows missing a few weeks on the mat means it hurts when
you get back on!).
The British Team
meet up for four days at Bisham Abbey for the last time
before we go to Athens. My last minute preparations with
the team were very successful and we all left Bisham, aching
but happy! Since then everything has gone to plan, training
hard and ready to leave for the BOA holding camp in Cyprus
in a few days time.
It is very hard to
explain how I am feeling at the moment, however it is a
mixture of emotions, because of expectation from myself
and knowing in my mind that it is my last chance for Olympic
Gold, but I know I can do it! According to my test results
I am the fittest I have ever been and I am totally ready.
I know this is my fourth Olympics and everyone thinks that
they would all be the same, but believe me everyone is different
(it is not like a World Championship, although it is mainly
the same opposition), this one for me will be different
again for many reasons - hopefully all good ones.
I would like to
wish the rest of the team good luck and enjoy it!
  
Thursday
24 June
| My
training for Athens has been another step up from
Sydney but I believe that is what it takes to strive
for a gold medal at the Olympic games.
After the
British Open earlier this year, although I only got
a bronze my aims were achieved in terms of gripping
and stamina, the serious training began. We (the coaches
and I) decided to miss the European Championships
because it would have no benefit to me at this stage
of my career and I can also train through the competition.
Generally in this phase the training in the gym is
strength and in Judo terms I was learning to use gripping
more effectively instead of attacking all the time.
An average
day would consist of 1 hour technical Judo, weights
session, Judo, boxing and randori in the evening,
a total of 7 hours training a day.
After the
Europeans the Olympic team was selected and we headed
off to the holding camp in Cyprus for 5 days and Greece.
The time got us used to the heat and environment and
hopefully help us to acclimatise when we go back in
August. During the week we were tested for hydration
while training in an average heat of over 30 degrees.
Although it was supposed to be a moderate week, I
did not appreciate the saddle sores from cycling (also
the puncture!) and the 6K run nearly every day! On
the last afternoon as team building we were allowed
on the banana boat and the funniest thing of the whole
trip was Mac Abbott on the boat, and if you see him
ask him about it!
Athens,
although still being constructed, was very friendly
and there is definite Olympic fever and I am sure
it will be great in August. We came back from Athens
on the 30 May, and celebrated my 31st birthday, so
I had a well deserved day off!! On the 1st I went
to Bisham Abbey with my training partner, Ben Naunton,
to do some specific training with Diane Bell (Women’s
Team Coach) on opponents I am likely to face in Athens.
Returning to Bath for a few days to work with Roy
Inman and then back to Bisham the following week.
France was
the next destination for a EJU training camp, which
was well attended including a team of number 1 and
2 Japanese fighters. In one day I fought with the
world number 1, both bronze and 5 other qualifiers
(and I did not get thrown!). I felt really good and
my training has really paid off (even the gripping!).
This has given me a good base of knowing where I am
and what techniques are working and what to concentrate
on before Athens.
Next I have
a training camp in Spain and a competition in Germany,
in my next instalment I will tell you all about them...
 
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