My sincere thanks and appreciation to each and every member of staff who shared in Michael’s journey to qualify for the Olympics (I’m still getting goose bumps when I say that).
The messages of support after he missed out the 100m really helped him to stay focussed.
The 200m was his main event and prior to his race he sent a brief text message to his sister Lauren to say ‘I’m ready for this’.
I feel as though I took every stroke of that race with him, to see his time flash up on the scoreboard and announce that he had made the qualifying time was absolutely amazing.
Immediately afterwards the messages from friends and fellow colleagues came rolling in and I hope I managed to respond to everyone.
Michael has declined the option of a week’s holiday – he’s gone straight back to training this morning to work on his next race at the Olympics.
I cannot thank everyone enough for the kind wishes of support and messages of congratulations.
Jackie
Update: Since I scheduled Jackie's note to go up this morning, Michael added a comment to last week's Michael's In! post as follows:
Thanks everyone for all the amazing messages, they made such a difference last week – especially after missing out on selection in the 100m!
I’m so relieved to have made it, I didn’t realise how nervous I was until the last few days but it’s now sinking in and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders!
I didn’t swim as fast as I was expecting/hoping and it was tough to lose both titles but there is definitely more in the tank and I’m thoroughly looking forward to the next few months!
Hope to do you all proud, thanks again for all the messages of support, really appreciate them all!
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Monday, 12 March 2012
Goaaaaaal! For BLS
[caption id="attachment_2199" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Post shoot out fun with Billy Bantam, the Bradford City FC mascot"]
[/caption]
Flying footballs were the order of the day when Bradford Disability Football Club held a penalty shoot out with Bradford City's mascot, Billy Bantam in goal.
BLS Commercial team's Jaimie Dorward ensured her and son Aaron's efforts didn't go unrewarded by raising sponsorship to the tune of £111.
They and the other children had to shoot at Billy Bantam and try to score 4 goals. Sponsorship was either a fixed amount or per penalty.
Jaimie explains:
The team is a pan disability team for all with junior and senior teams. They run regular coaching sessions twice per week all year round. The coaches are qualified FA standard coaches with experiences of working and guiding players of all levels and abilities.
They participate in tournaments and games with other clubs throughout the UK. Most recently we went to Chelsea on a weekend trip to London, Bradford City beat Chelsea 2 nil (never thought I’d hear that). In march they will play Manchester United and get a tour of the ground and some free pizza.
As well as offering an excellent environment for the children it also offers some respite for carers and allows them to meet and support each other.
It looks like the children have a lot of fun!
This isn't the last we'll be hearing from BLS by a long shot. Stayed tuned for updates in future posts planned for Dispatches.
[/caption]Flying footballs were the order of the day when Bradford Disability Football Club held a penalty shoot out with Bradford City's mascot, Billy Bantam in goal.
BLS Commercial team's Jaimie Dorward ensured her and son Aaron's efforts didn't go unrewarded by raising sponsorship to the tune of £111.
They and the other children had to shoot at Billy Bantam and try to score 4 goals. Sponsorship was either a fixed amount or per penalty.
Jaimie explains:
The team is a pan disability team for all with junior and senior teams. They run regular coaching sessions twice per week all year round. The coaches are qualified FA standard coaches with experiences of working and guiding players of all levels and abilities.
They participate in tournaments and games with other clubs throughout the UK. Most recently we went to Chelsea on a weekend trip to London, Bradford City beat Chelsea 2 nil (never thought I’d hear that). In march they will play Manchester United and get a tour of the ground and some free pizza.
As well as offering an excellent environment for the children it also offers some respite for carers and allows them to meet and support each other.
It looks like the children have a lot of fun!
This isn't the last we'll be hearing from BLS by a long shot. Stayed tuned for updates in future posts planned for Dispatches.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Michael's In!
We have a new Olympian on the block :DIn an exciting 200m breastroke final last night, Michael Jamieson led the race for the first 150 metres just shy of GB record pace, but was pipped to the post down the final length by Bath team mate Andrew Willis. Both qualified to make Team GB in the world's two fastest times this year (2.09.33 and 2.09.84 respectively). They're astonishingly good times which bodes well for The Olympics in July.
Congratulations, Michael from everyone at Smiths News. Now go for the big one!
I'll leave it to Michael to have the last word:
What a relief! I'm going to the Olympic Games!!
— Michael Jamieson (@mj88live) March 7, 2012
Really really appreciate all the messages I've had this week. Was a massive help!! Thanks a lot!! :)
— Michael Jamieson (@mj88live) March 7, 2012
Add your congratulations in the Comments below and I'll make sure Michael sees them.
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
After Michael's Race
I've mentioned Michael tweets a couple of times - via @mj88live. On Sunday evening I was so glad he does, because his reaction to the 100m breastroke race is an object lesson on how to take defeat in the right way.This is what he had to say (in 4 tweets):
Hard one to swallow tonight, just don't have the speed on the front end. Sometimes have to hold your hands up & say wasn't quite good enough. Congrats
And here's a mere fraction of the response he's had:
From the winner Daniel Sliwinski:
Thanks
From swimming coach Ian Wright:
Well done
From fellow swimmer Andrew Mayor:
From sports enthusiast Elaine Vaughan:
From Rebecca Adlington, fresh from her awesome swim in the 400m freestyle final:
And finally from his sister:
Don't get many guys like
So come on everyone, let's all cheer him on for the 200! The heats and semi finals are today and the final tomorrow. I'll make sure any comments you leave below are passed onto Michael.
Update: Since yesterday's post I've also found out the twitter hashtag #champschat is being used by the championship organisers to flash twitter support messages around the Aquatic Centre during the competition. I'll be tweeting Michael with this to see if we can get a big cheer for him from Smiths News onto the message board :)
Thoughtful Paws Sales Start for 2012
[caption id="attachment_2173" align="alignleft" width="640" caption="Jaqueline Bunnett sets out her stall..."]
[/caption]
Following January's post introducing Wakefield House's Jacqueline Bunnett and her charity handiwork, she has already started her 2012 fundraising activities for Torbay Animals in Distress via her Thoughtful Paws Hand Made Cards and Gifts/Babysitting Service.
She set up her stall for a couple of hours or so at the Toothill Charity Tabletop Charity Sale at the end of February, attended by around 75 people, including Brett from IT. Jacqueline said of her efforts:
Although not a large amount of money was raised a lot of enquires were made regarding my babysitting service and commission pieces. I was also invited to another event in 2 week’s time so I am now back making a few more cards, Dolls Pram/Cot sets. Mothers Day and Easter Cards were best sellers on the day.
Donations were also placed in the pictured collection tin, which will be opened by the charity later. NB Jacqueline has more Mother's Day and Easter cards for sale if you're interested.
Don't forget Jacqueline is is appealing for donations of cotton and polycotton fabrics for her patchwork products if you have some to spare.
[/caption]Following January's post introducing Wakefield House's Jacqueline Bunnett and her charity handiwork, she has already started her 2012 fundraising activities for Torbay Animals in Distress via her Thoughtful Paws Hand Made Cards and Gifts/Babysitting Service.
She set up her stall for a couple of hours or so at the Toothill Charity Tabletop Charity Sale at the end of February, attended by around 75 people, including Brett from IT. Jacqueline said of her efforts:
Although not a large amount of money was raised a lot of enquires were made regarding my babysitting service and commission pieces. I was also invited to another event in 2 week’s time so I am now back making a few more cards, Dolls Pram/Cot sets. Mothers Day and Easter Cards were best sellers on the day.
Donations were also placed in the pictured collection tin, which will be opened by the charity later. NB Jacqueline has more Mother's Day and Easter cards for sale if you're interested.
Don't forget Jacqueline is is appealing for donations of cotton and polycotton fabrics for her patchwork products if you have some to spare.
Monday, 5 March 2012
Olympic Trials: Michael's Progress
[caption id="attachment_2163" align="alignleft" width="197" caption="Getting ready..."]
[/caption]
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.
[/caption]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!! :)
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
Now let's all get behind Michael and cheer him onto his next race.
Friday, 2 March 2012
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 3rd 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.
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 3rd 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.
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