800m? Where the heck are the hurdles?

Ok seriously, I think the world has gone crazy. Let me make it very clear how I feel about the 800m. I need to clear this up since I seem to be misquoted pretty much everywhere I look. LOL! Either that or I was delusional on pretty much every interview I've done.

It all started in 2008 when we (my coach and I) began competing in the 800m as a part of my training. I ran 2.06 twice and 2.07 once. In years leading up to the Beijing Olympics we decided it would be nice to run indoors at some point, but we could never find the appropriate time or the appropriate event for that phase of my training. 60mH would require too much speed work based on my overall training needs for the event I am actually training for (400mH outdoors). The 400 was too short, again based on what phase of my training we were in. So, we chose the 800m.

2008 I had built myself back up enough (after having my son) in order to try to run indoors, but an Olympic year was too risky. So in rolls 2009 and I give it a whirl but still keeping in mind we have no intentions of running in the European Indoors. the 800 was a risk as I hadn't run indoors in 13 years (and my legs have grown a lot since then). It would also be my first time in spikes (a result of protecting my shins/old stress fractures from flaring up).

Ran the trials in 2:12. Was good for 600m and then it got really tough!!! LOL!! Next day I ran again in the B final totally jetlagged still LOL! Left it waaaay too late to fly out from LA! Anyway although my body would have been pretty happy to jump on the train back to London that's not my style and would have defeated the purpose of why we came back to London.

* Over Distance Training.

* Show your face.

* Competition training.

* Reconnect with the team doctors.

* Reconnect with Charles Van Commenee.

So that being said I did what I came to do and I'm pleased. We will run the 800m outdoors again this year and hopefully I will run faster than 2008.

If you were looking to see me in the 800m in Birmingham you won't because the meet promoters have understandably pulled me out of the race. The race will be much faster in Birmingham than it was in Sheffield, and with a time of 2:12 going in I can understand their position.

So folks... we'll see each other on the track again... when summer rolls around! Until then... Be good... If not, BE CAREFUL! ;)