How things are progressing for our athletes and coaches on the High Performance Support Scheme
These guys have been attending Core Cambridge now for a few months. So I have asked them to give me an update on how they are getting on and what benefits they feel they have seen.
Coach: Mark Vile Athlete: John Oakes – Endurance runner
John says “Although it is still a bit early to see any major effects of the program at Core Cambridge on my running, I think it is going really well. I am making good progress there and I am definitely getting stronger and there are some good signs. For instance, I have been doing some intervals at the track faster than I have ever done them before. There have been big improvements from the original tests I did in my assessment at Core Cambridge to now. I am hopeful that I will see some good results at my target races in the next couple of months. I am very happy with Nicole Chase, my personal trainer at Core Cambridge, she is enthusiastic, knowledgeable and encouraging. It is also nice to have clear explanations of the reasons behind the various exercises we are doing.”
“I have also been working hard at Mark's track sessions through the winter, which should also have an effect. I haven't raced much yet this year, as advised, but I have run well in the races I have done, if not quite at my best, but it is just the beginning of the session so I am quite happy with my progress.”
I have spoken to Mark and he is very impressed by what Core are offering John and what he as a coach can learn and take back to his groups at the track.
Coach: Mick Graham Athlete: Ben Snaith 400m
Ben was injured at the end of the last outdoor track season so has used these session to build up his strength and get back to form. He is doing well but still has a bit of catching up to do, that said he still managed to pick up the silver in 400m in the Eastern indoor champs and bronze in the 200m in the southern champs. He is currently ranked 1st in the East for both events and 10th in the UK for 200m and 8th in the UK for 400m.
Ben’s coach, Mick has this to say about Core “I was very impressed during my visit to Core Cambridge, those guys certainly know what they are doing. I was previously aware of some of the strength and conditioning exercises but not all. Strength is an important part of an athletes development and I am always trying to encourage my athletes to incorporate body core exercises and or gym work, depending on their development stage, into their training. Ben is progressing well under the scheme and it’s certainly showing in his race and training time despite the long injury lay off. I coach adults and children of all ages and ask Ben to demonstrate to them not only running technique but the strength and stretching exercises he has learnt from Core Cambridge. It’s a team effort, incorporating his strength training into his running schedule and also around his race days. It’s a great scheme and can only help athletes like Ben reach their full potential, ordinarily he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do so.
Ben says “I am really enjoying my training at Core Cambridge, the staff there are great particularly Nicole, my instructor and Dan the boss. I was a little down after the injury in September and was itching to get back as soon as possible. My first session with Core was an in depth assessment by the Physiotherapist who picked up my weaknesses in certain areas which were affecting my balance and also problems with my posture. I’ve been doing corrective exercises for this which is leading me on to increased weight training or “sexy stuff” as Dan calls it. I’m feeling stronger and more balanced which gives me more confidence for the coming outdoor season. Prior to Core I was doing the occasional gym session alone but it wasn’t structured. I’ve now learnt proper techniques for lifting weights and also simple exercise such as squats which I hadn’t been doing correctly and meant I was more susceptible to injuries. I’ve incorporated a lot of the stretching exercise into my warm ups and my flexibility has also increased. The programme has certainly been beneficial to me. As the training intensifies and the weight I’m lifting increases, I’m hoping it will further improve my performances. Mick is always drumming into us that speed is a bi product of strength. I’m looking forward to the outdoor season and would like to thank Julie and GCAN for their help and backing”
From Julie:
I can’t wait to hear the results of both these athletes over the Summer, I will keep you all up to date. Unfortunately we are unable to offer this scheme this year as it was not funded by England Athletics. We are, however, offering groups of up to 6 coaches the opportunity to learn from the coaches at Core Cambridge over several weeks. If this is something you think you might be interested in please email me at julie.pashley@gcan.org.uk.
Juley Pashley - March 2012
