Olympic Trials: Michael's Progress

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The Olympic Trials are well under way and the brand new Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park is proving to be a popular venue with GB swimmers.

On Saturday the 100m breastroke semi-finals saw Michael qualifying fastest to take the coveted Lane 4 spot and gain a psychological edge over his rivals. At the turn he was just 2 hundredths of a second (a mere fingertip!) ahead of his friend Kristopher Gilchrist, but then finished strongly and well ahead in a time of  1 minute and 66 hundredths of a second (1.00.66).

With just over a second separating the eight fastest swimmers, there was all to play for in Sunday's final...

After the race Michael tweeted:

Needed that to settle the nerves! Game on tomorrow! Atmosphere was awesome, thanks to everyone coming to watch!! :) #champschat

In yesterday's final, British record holder Daniel Sliwinski showed he was the swimmer most eager to get the race over and done with, storming over the first 50m in 27.78 seconds. His commanding lead proved to be unassailable and Daniel easily made the first qualification spot for the Olympics. But who was to join him in second?

Michael's turn at the 50m mark showed him down in 7th place in a time of 28.79 seconds. But he dug deep over the second length, clawing back the lead from his other rivals. 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th... come on Michael!!!! The race finished in a blur but had Michael done enough?

The scoreboard said it all. Michael had indeed made the qualification time of 1.00.50 required for the second Team GB spot. He'd swum a Personal Best time, BUT 17 year-old Craig Benson swam the race of his life to finish just ahead at the touch in a time of 1.00.47.

Michael looked very disappointed at the medal ceremony and I hope he can recover from this moment and take forward the positives from his race. 200m breastroke is Michael's better event, so last night was an excellent platform to build on ready for Tuesday's and Wednesday's 200m races.

I've tweeted the following message to Michael on behalf of Smiths News:

...take the positives from today ready for your next race. Me and all of #smithsnews are still cheering for you!!!

Now let's all get behind Michael and cheer him onto his next race.

On the Eve of the Olympic Trials

On the eve of the Olympic Trials this weekend, Michael Jamieson updates us on what's been happening since he got back from Australia... 

Since the last blog from our camp on the Gold Coast, we have been resting and preparing for next week’s competition. After three weeks of reduced volume and intensity, it feels great to get up the stairs at home without gasping for air or grimacing from the burning sensation in my legs!

Every tapering phase is different from the last and although I mentioned in the last blog about the importance of staying calm and putting faith in the training that has been done, it’s easier said than done. The body adapts and repairs through taper at different rates and the feeling in the water can change on a daily basis. Logic would suggest that you can swim faster and more consistently when you rest, but unfortunately it’s not as simple as that, it takes time, and at the moment, I’m waiting for my ‘taper blues’ to subside.

I was inspired last week by Sir Chris Hoy’s performances at the Cycling World Cup event in London. It seemed that Sir Chris was sending a message to his competitors ahead of the Olympic Games this summer, he seemed determined to make his mark on the velodrome in front of a very noisy home crowd. What a great spectacle of sport and fantastic to see Great Britain performing so well. I briefly let myself drift past the Trials next week and thought about walking out at the Games and hearing the roar of the crowd before my race. At the moment, that’s still a long way off but I’m desperate to be a part of that atmosphere.

It’s been a long road to get to this stage and the nerves are definitely playing a role already but from now I need to remind myself to enjoy the event next week and focus on my own performance. I have swum at so many competitions over the years and this is just another one.

The psychologist I’ve been working with this year asked me recently, “when are you going to stop training to prepare and just say you’re ready now”. That was a bit of a light bulb moment for me and I’ll be repeating it in my head over and over again in the next week.

My first event is on Saturday 3^rd March – the 100m Breaststroke. The event will be shown live on BBC via the Red Button so tune in!

Thank you for all the well wishes and I hope the next blog is reflecting on a successful week.

Thanks Michael for a most insightful post.  Now let's see if all our good wishes can push you through the water even faster! I'm looking forward to reporting some very good news in Dispatches next week.

From S to N Meets Bishop's 'Week of Hell'

[caption id="attachment_2133" align="alignleft" width="300"] Gordon Scott and Andy Cook relax after John Bishop arrives in Calais[/caption]

If you're following this year's Sport Relief, you've probably come across John Bishop's 'Week of Hell' already. Yesterday the comedian set off in his quest to cycle, row and run from Paris to London in just 5 days.

There's also an exciting Smiths News connection with John's quest. Andy Cook and Gordon Scott of last year's From A to B fame were closely involved in the organisation of John's 185 mile cycle ride from Paris to Calais yesterday.

In the photo they look happy (and probably relieved) John achieved yesterday's target. What it doesn't tell you is he finished his ride at 3 in the morning!

We're pleased Andy and Gordon's expertise will be available on this year's From S to N bike ride and would like to reassure this year's applicants that 3am finishes shouldn't be a feature of their experience ;)

We'll be featuring Andy and Gordon again in a future post on Dispatches. And don't forget, if Sport Relief features as part your fundraising, we'd love to hear about it too!

All Set for the Coast to Coast

[caption id="attachment_2112" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Fred Napier, Kevin Graham and Steven Clark are all set to go...[/caption]

The keen fundraisers at Newcastle House have announced their latest initiative in aid of their local Marie Curie Hospice. Fred Napier (Day Pack Manager), Kevin Graham (Day Pack Deputy) and Steven Clark (Day Pack Supervisor) have all had family members and close friends cared for by the hospice.

The team from Day Dispatch will be tackling the marvellous Coast to Coast (aka C2C) cycle route, starting at Whitehaven on the west coast and heading homewards and beyond to Tynemouth. They'll be riding through the northern Lake District, the highest market town in England (Alston) and Northumberland along the way.

Their challenge is to cycle 140 miles over three days from June 1st to 3rd, with the support of their back up driver. The cheers of various work mates and family members will be greeting them en route and at the finish point.

The fundraising target is £1,000, with over £635 raised already. A Just Giving page is open for your donations, which also has details of how to donate by text message.

Donna's in the Swim for the Swimathon

Following our first fundraiser focus a couple of weeks ago, Donna Brown has contacted us to say she's taking part in this year's Swimathon to raise funds for Marie-Curie Cancer Care. Crawley House's HR Administrator aims to swim an impressive 100 lengths of her local pool on 28th April in order to complete her 2.5 kilometre challenge.

Good luck with your training Donna and we look forward to hearing (and possibly seeing?) how you get on!

Is there anyone else out there also taking part in this year's Swimathon? Like Donna, be sure to complete your Publicity Form to be featured in Dispatches and qualify for an extra £20 donation!

Cake a Difference

Smiths News' famed liking for cakes coupled with fundraising for Community Week got off to a sound start last Thursday at Wakefield House.

Thanks to Nicola Hewlett and her team of volunteer bakers (Zoe Marlow and Sam Marlow + their mum, Maria Ogbourne, Rebecca Hedges, Jen Taylor and Deborah Preston), no-one was allowed to ignore the sweet temptations on offer as a trolley was taken around the office between 10am and 3pm.

On being asked whether a photo could be provided for Dispatches, Rebecca Hedges admitted:

Unfortunately, we didn’t get a photo – the cakes sold too quickly! Next time I will get one.

A total of £102.08 was raised for Bliss, the charity which provides support for premature and sick babies and their families. Cake a Difference is their annual fundraising event.

From S to N Reminder

[caption id="attachment_1747" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Get on yer bike for Community Week!"][/caption]

There's just one week for you to get your application form in for this year's From S to N bike ride, If you've been dithering over whether to apply, here's what some of last year's From A to B participants said - quite spontaneously - about last year's experience:

Being part of the A-B group last year was a real privelege and I hope the coverage inspired others to challenge themselves this year. Chris Atherton, Commercial, Wakefield House.

This was an amazing experience. Don’t underestimate the amount of preparation you’ll need to do for this event, both in terms of fundraising and exercise – and if you’re anything like me, you’re still trying to work off the Christmas pudding. The recipe for a great week is all there, with the Smiths News ingredients of guidance, support, encouragement and fun with a twist of satisfaction and a helpful topping of pride in what you’ve achieved. Ian Tallamy, IS Wakefield House.

Had A great time Last Year it was A Fantastic Week. I Hope To be On the team again this year. Ian Evans, Aberystwyth.

Last year’s bike ride was a great experience and a big achievement for all those involved. I will always remember the first day riding through the Welsh mountains. Unfortunately I will not be able to make it this year as I will be embarking on a separate challenge – to cycle up 3 cols in the French Alps (Col du Galibier, Alpe d’Huez and Croix de Fer). All the best to those who take part in this year’s event and enjoy the experience! Simon Cousins, IS, Wakefield House.

Last years bike ride was a great experience, a lot of great people and some really big hills. It was hard work but really good fun. I would recommend this to anyone it’s a chance of a life time. Jason Marshall, Peterborough.

So don't delay, you can request an application form from Kerrie Colford on 01793 56 3516 or email kerrie.colford@smithsnews.co.uk . The closing date is 24th February.