After Winning the British 400m Title, Emily Diamond Took Olympic and European 4x400m Medals in 2016.
I WAS so nervous before the British Championships and Olympic Trials last year. I had finished third in the trials in 2014 and didn’t get selected for the Europeans despite having the qualifying time, so I really didn’t want to be in that position again. I knew I needed to be in the the top two this time.
I was in the best shape I had ever been. I had run a big PB of 51.23 two weeks before the trials, so my nerves were mixed with confidence. My coach Jared Deacon and I had planned the weeks leading up to the trials and we had tapered my training down with the target of finishing in the top two at the trials.
Winning the Olympics Trials was the best day I have had as an athlete. The feeling of knowing you have qualified for the Olympic Games as an individual athlete is amazing. It’s difficult to put that feeling into words and it was a while until I had stopped smiling.
This story is from the February 09, 2017 edition of Athletics Weekly.
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This story is from the February 09, 2017 edition of Athletics Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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Carbon Footprint
You'd have had to have been running on a different planet to miss all the recent debate about carbon-plated shoes. The talk of bans and performance enhancement has been so widespread that even non-runners are asking their running friends about the potentially magical footwear.
Trail time
WHEN looking for a trail or off-road running shoe, it’s often all about the grip. However, given that no two paths are the same, careful consideration is required. What’s the terrain like where you’ll wear the shoes the most? If you’ll be negotiating soft, wet and muddy conditions then look for deeper lugs. For tackling gravel tracks and forest trails then more evenly spaced lugs will work better. When it comes to cushioning, consider how hard the ground will be; if it’s soft then you’ll be fine in low-profile shoes, but on those firmer tracks reasonable cushioning will be called for.
Stay neutral
EVOLVING every year, if not month, neutral cushioned shoes are seeing developments in cushioning materials and dynamics at a pace which is nothing short of astonishing. The latest models feature new polymers in the midsoles to give them a cushioned feel while at the same time keeping their weight to a minimum. Give them a spin and choose the most comfortable for mile after mile of shock absorbing running.
Support network
WHEN it comes to ‘over-pronation’, a common question is ‘how much is over?’. With no hard and fast rules, it’s best to choose a shoe that instinctively feels right. Gait analysis can often assist in helping you make this choice and your specialist running store is always a good place to start if in doubt. To help you make that choice, here’s a selection of some of the best ‘support’ shoes around.
Need for speed
THE racing shoe segment of the market is becoming somewhat split. This is partially due to the rise of carbon-plated footwear but also the fact that many shoes are becoming much lighter. Here we take a look at some of the leading contenders to toe the line in.
Gadget show
WITH technological products to enhance every area of life, running is now no different. From headphones to treadmills, the devices to aid performance and recovery are endless. Here we take a look at some of the latest gadgets and gizmos to enhance your training.
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