https://www.paulhession.co/blogs.html Things didn’t go to plan in the end in Daegu. I came into the race with a bit of an up-and-down season behind me, but was feeling pretty good after my solid run in Santry. Training had gone well in between so I thought that it was going to be a chance to do something decent, pushing for a top 12 position or better again.
However, it wasn’t to be. I was drawn in lane 2 for my heat, not great but not terrible. All in all, my heat was neither the hardest nor the easiest on paper. I had Jaysuma Saidy Ndure and Darvis Patton (both potential medallists) plus Astrand from Finland whom I rate as a decent prospect. Qualification was stiff as it was straight to semis so I had to get top 3. Obviously I didn’t. It was 4th place and not quick enough for a fastest loser spot. Astrand ran well into the stiff headwind, as I expected, but I would have beaten him if I had run as well as Santry. Crossing the line I was as much confused as anything. I really didn’t set the race up like I can. My first step was poor and I was playing catch up right from that moment.
Obviously since I have been going through a process of analysis and evaluation. This is the time of year where you have to assess everything from the previous 11 months of training, and try to decide what was good, what was bad and what you want to change going into the next year. This is the process no matter how the season has gone. I’ve had some great chats with Stuart and the other people close to me about my whole training set-up. It’s an important time of year, because the decisions that are made now will ultimately decide whether next year’s Olympics go well or not. In that regard, though, it is also an exciting time of year, full of promise and hope. As an athlete, you can’t dwell on the past too much, whether it’s good or bad. It’s all about next year, and the Olympics is the big one! It’s been the elephant in the room for everybody ever since the last Olympics. That’s why people will put in that little of bit extra sacrifice just on the hope that they might make it. People take a year out from work, study etc because all they’ve ever wanted to do is to compete at the Olympics. I’m lucky to have been to one Olympics already, the highlight of my career. I’ve been looking forward to the next one ever since I stepped off that track in the Bird’s Nest. The 10 days or so after my run in Daegu were probably the lowest of my athletics career. It was difficult to accept that I hadn’t made it through and at times like those you really wonder if it’s worth all the sacrifice. The support of those people who are closest to me is so crucial, and they are more important to have around in the bad times than the good times to be honest. I’ve gotten past that phase now though and, believe it or not, I’m already really excited for next year! I’m going to make a few adjustments to the way I’ve been doing things that I think will be great.
I’m sure I will be telling you all about those changes that I think will bring me success at London in future blogs. For the moment, it’s holiday’s time. A lot of you will know I have wanderlust and love to travel. This year it’s South Africa. Hopefully we have a good time, maybe without some of the drama from last year!
However, it wasn’t to be. I was drawn in lane 2 for my heat, not great but not terrible. All in all, my heat was neither the hardest nor the easiest on paper. I had Jaysuma Saidy Ndure and Darvis Patton (both potential medallists) plus Astrand from Finland whom I rate as a decent prospect. Qualification was stiff as it was straight to semis so I had to get top 3. Obviously I didn’t. It was 4th place and not quick enough for a fastest loser spot. Astrand ran well into the stiff headwind, as I expected, but I would have beaten him if I had run as well as Santry. Crossing the line I was as much confused as anything. I really didn’t set the race up like I can. My first step was poor and I was playing catch up right from that moment.
Obviously since I have been going through a process of analysis and evaluation. This is the time of year where you have to assess everything from the previous 11 months of training, and try to decide what was good, what was bad and what you want to change going into the next year. This is the process no matter how the season has gone. I’ve had some great chats with Stuart and the other people close to me about my whole training set-up. It’s an important time of year, because the decisions that are made now will ultimately decide whether next year’s Olympics go well or not. In that regard, though, it is also an exciting time of year, full of promise and hope. As an athlete, you can’t dwell on the past too much, whether it’s good or bad. It’s all about next year, and the Olympics is the big one! It’s been the elephant in the room for everybody ever since the last Olympics. That’s why people will put in that little of bit extra sacrifice just on the hope that they might make it. People take a year out from work, study etc because all they’ve ever wanted to do is to compete at the Olympics. I’m lucky to have been to one Olympics already, the highlight of my career. I’ve been looking forward to the next one ever since I stepped off that track in the Bird’s Nest. The 10 days or so after my run in Daegu were probably the lowest of my athletics career. It was difficult to accept that I hadn’t made it through and at times like those you really wonder if it’s worth all the sacrifice. The support of those people who are closest to me is so crucial, and they are more important to have around in the bad times than the good times to be honest. I’ve gotten past that phase now though and, believe it or not, I’m already really excited for next year! I’m going to make a few adjustments to the way I’ve been doing things that I think will be great.
I’m sure I will be telling you all about those changes that I think will bring me success at London in future blogs. For the moment, it’s holiday’s time. A lot of you will know I have wanderlust and love to travel. This year it’s South Africa. Hopefully we have a good time, maybe without some of the drama from last year!
