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Cooling down after a training session

Post Pre
10th June 2005
Hi Everyone,

With Gerard Hartman

Well my trip to the States was a bit more eventful than anticipated. The Prefontaine Nike meeting in Eugene is an event that I have wanted to take part in for a while now as the atmosphere always looks so good. I was really looking forward to my first 1500m since 2001 and though I knew after only three-and-a-bit weeks training that I wasn't flying, I was still confident of being able to revise my PB a bit. After a first lap of 63 secs I was feeling comfortable and as the pace was slowing was just preparing to go wide around the outside when suddenly the field went down like skittles in front of me. I had nowhere to go and saw myself hitting the ground hard in slow motion. Fortunately I was only grazed and was up again as soon as I could.

Getting treated by Chris and Robyn after the fall

Fired up, I set off after the field trying to be controlled in how I got back to them, however my legs did really tie up in the last 100m. I was really frustrated because I wanted to run fast and get so few chances to race 1500m. However, looking on the bright side, at least I wasn't hurt seriously and counting the 8 secs I lost while falling and getting back up again I would have been close to my PB! I also won the race of the seven girls who fell! I made sure to get checked out properly afterwards and get my back and shoulders put back into line (see picture to the right).

I also got the chance while out there to attend a tribute to Nike Founder Phil Knight at the Global Sales Meeting in Portland. It was a great chance for many of us athletes to thank Phil for his support and passion for all sports. It was amazing to be in the same room as athletes such as Michael Jordan, Pete Sampras, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Sergey Bubka, Carl Lewis, Seb Coe, Justin Gatlin, Ian Rush, Cantona and Wayne Rooney (see picture below right) and many others.

With Wayne Rooney

I also was able to meet up again with the shoe designers and chat to the vision guys about new glasses and their exciting new Max Sight contact lenses project. This is really going to help sports such as football, tennis and golf where it is difficult to wear sunglasses and I'm having fun trying them out while running.

So now I'm back here in the Pyrenees and trying to get over the jet lag! It's been great to have my Mum out staying with us for a few days this week giving us a chance to catch up.

Best Wishes,

In the Rad-mobile

Training run

Taking a breather

Liu Xiang in Eugene

Just eight weeks to go...
Entry 27, 13th Nov 2006

A special announcement
Entry 26, 12th Jul 2006

Making progress after foot surgery
Entry 25, 9th Jun 2006

Back on track
Entry 24, 25th Apr 2006

Out of London
Entry 23, 10th Apr 2006

Out of Melbourne
Entry 22, 9th Mar 2006

Starting the new year on the right foot
Entry 21, 24th Jan 2006

Rounding off a good year
Entry 20, 10th Dec 2005

Frustrating few weeks
Entry 19, 1st Nov 2005

Up-coming races
Entry 18, 11th Oct 2005

Back from holiday
Entry 17, 21st Sep 2005

A week of mixed emotions
Entry 16, 14th July 2005

Post Pre
Entry 15, 10th June 2005

Facing track debut
Entry 14, 27th May 2005

Back from a Break
Entry 13, 16th May 2005

Post-London Buzz
Entry 12, 24th Apr 2005

Cobwebs gone in New Orleans, next stop: Limerick
Entry 11, 27th Mar 2005

Hicham shares the Albuquerque quirky weather
Entry 10, 21st Mar 2005

No World Cross for me
Entry 9, 8th Mar 2005

From Flagstaff, back to Albuquerque
Entry 8, 23rd Feb 2005

Update and pictures from Albuquerque - Part 2
Entry 7, 31st Jan 2005

Update and pictures from Albuquerque
Entry 6, 19th Jan 2005

London, here I come!
Entry 5, 10th Jan 2005

Looking to 2005
Entry 4, 31st Dec 2004

Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Entry 3, 18th Dec 2004

Visit to Portland
Entry 2, 8th Dec 2004

Frantic Few Weeks!
Entry 1, 3rd Dec 2004