This weekend we had the first outdoor competition of the year. Athletes were warned that this is very, very early to be competing, and not to expect super-fast times. The objective of the competition was to get some competition experience, narrow down selection for BUCS, and also get a very good speed endurance workout. I didn’t make any effort to taper for this event. For athletes unable to compete, we held time trials during training mid-week. Despite this context, the results were fantastic!

Aimee Welsh - 100m - 13.36 - PB by 0.15, won race
Harriet Reese - 100m - 14.07 - PB, third in race
Pippa McCarthy - 100m - 14.20 - Fastest since 2017
Elizabeth Archer - 100m - 14.73 - First Pof10 result, probable PB
Ayo Cole - 200m - 27.06
Eva Mouchet - 200m - 27.90 - First Pof10 result, probable PB, won race
Aimee Welsh - 200m - 27.99 - First Pof10 result, probable PB, second in race
Abbie Mills - 200m - 28.54 - PB equivalent (time trial)
Harriet Reese - 200m - 28.76 - Fastest since 2016, 0.16 off PB, third in race
Ali Klemz - 100m - 11.17 - PB equivalent (time trial)
Ade Kosefobamu - 100m - 11.40 - PB by 0.2, second in race
Charlie Eisinger - 100m - 11.72 - First Pof10 result, probable PB
Cellan Robinson - 100m - 11.85 - 0.07 off PB
Maurice Sainsbury - 100m - 12.59 - PB by 0.34
Vlad Levchenko - 200m - 22.43 - Won race
Ali Radford - 200m - 23.32 - PB equivalent (time trial)
Cellan Robinson - 200m - 24.17 - 0.25 off PB

In addition, I competed alongside Josh, who I train outside of the University. I was delighted to run my fastest 100 in the UK since 2009 (although still not worth shouting too loudly about), and I managed to get through a 200m less than an hour afterwards without my hamstrings complaining! Josh had a tougher time, having only been training for 10 weeks and recovering from a sickness. He ran well with all things considered, but quite far off his PBs. We’re a training block behind the University athletes and it showed with our cadence and general ‘sharpness’. This will change noticeably in the next 4-8 weeks as we work through some Specific Development training blocks in anticipation of competing harder in the summer.

All in all, I’m very pleased!