Written in the van at Nottingham campsite Saturday night after the Junior race
Selection is a tough time for everyone, parents, coaches and athletes. The pressure and expectation put on the athletes from parents and coaches can be quite daunting, however this level of expectation is nothing compared to what the athlete can expect from him/herself. I can only speak from my personal experiences here, however I certainly put a huge amount of pressure and expectation on myself, which I find helps me gain more focus and composure for a race.
2011 was a scary start for me, in the first 2 prem races I had made mistakes, but my times were good. Being my last year of junior I was ever more anxious to make these races count and to perform to the level I needed to.
Bala Selection – International Site – Junior Selection 1
I was reasonably calm in the lead up to Bala selection. It is one of my favourite courses here in the UK due to its fast, narrow channels of flow which with correct stroke placing you can use to your advantage and speed down the tight little course, The disadvantage however is it does seem to get shallower each year, but fortunately a fantastic course was set this year, with nearly all the gates over deep ish water.
On the day of the race I woke up rather nervous, something I have become used to over the last two years at important races, working with one of the GB canoeing psychologists, Dean, I have learnt how to overcome these race day feelings, whatever they may be, and use them to my advantage, or block them out completely. Before my run I had walked and analysed the course 6 times, working with Mark, Dean and my Dad as well as other friends to make my race plan suit me and my racing style.
Run 1 went completely to plan, getting a clean line on all the key moves, subtle time losses here and there but overall it was a great run. It put me in First place in the Junior class, and also first over all.
The second run I pulled out all the stops and unfortunately this time it didn’t work out, however my efforts on my first run still secured me a first place in junior and second overall just behind Campbell.
Nottingham Selection – Junior Selection 2 & U23 Selection
The week between Bala and Nottingham I just stayed focussed and made it my priority to stay sharp, calm and not to over train!
Most of the week we had fantastic weather with temperatures in the low 20s, I had a good session in Nottingham on Wednesday and then came back over to Nottingham on Friday afternoon. On Friday we again had great weather, I spent the evening looking at the course designed by Mark and Ian, and it was a fantastic racing course. I learnt the course well and went back to the van for dinner. I went for a relaxing walk before bed then did some mental prep and slept.
I woke up, as usual at just before 5, I had breakfast early and went down to watch the demos. It was fantastic to have some really high quality demo runners which allowed me to make a good plan. I went back up to the van after demos and relaxed and had some more food.
After numerous course walks and minor plan changes on the course I was ready to race, My first run was clean, but one move choice lost me a chunk of time so I had to correct this on the second run to make up for lost time and improve my placing.
Again after another few course walks and rehearsals with both Mark and Dean I was on the water and watching the clock tick down to my start time.
I executed the plan exactly as I had hoped, only with minor time losses here and there but nothing significant. I ended up in first place in the Junior race and 3rd U23.
I had now made it on to the team in first place.
At this point in the blog I would like to say congrats to Ciaran who has also made it on to the GB junior team this year after his performances in the first 2 races, there is still one place to fill which will be decided in the final race in Scotland this coming weekend.
Written in the van on the way to Scotland
Nottingham U23 Selection – Race 2&3
The U23 selection this year in the K1M was certainly going to be some extremely intense racing with many top athletes competing for the 3 available places.
As usual the races are done on 1 run on the final U23 Selection events.
On my first run I unfortunately made mistakes from the start (Gate 1) and the run, although had good sections were not what I wished for. I had to paddle back for an upstream on a hole, which I was very disappointed about as it was one of my favourite upstream gates.
Second run I was intent at following my plan, but most importantly nailing gate 9, the upstream i had previously messed up on. The run went to plan. Apart from 2 very silly touches with put my time well down, I nailed gate 9 and got a good cheer from the crowed, something that meant a lot after my mistake on the first run.
The Under 23 selection series over all did not go perfect for me, but thankfully it did not need to due to my position on the junior team already secured.
Again congratulations are in order to Joe Morley, a fellow Nelo team member, Joe Coombs and Joe Clarke who gained a place on the U23 team to race at the European Championships in Bosnia this year.
Junior Selection 3 – Grand Tully – Scotland
Leading up to the race in Scotland I was keen to focus on training hard, and testing out my new boat, already mindful that preparations must start for the Europeans this year.
I went in to the race more tired than my previous selections but was still hoping for a good performance.
My first run was reasonably clean but nothing special, I knew I had to step it up in the second run, but unfortunately this did not go to plan either.
All in all it was a rather disappointing weekend with my paddling being sub-par throughout all my runs.
The final results were, Ciaran first, I in second place and Jonathon Abbott in third, gaining him the final place on the junior team.
I shall be spending this week training and preparing for senior selection at the Lee Valley Olympic white water course where there is a 3 day racing series being held.
