Achieving Commonwealth Games standard makes for a perfect weekend

A new PB of 2:02:97 was enough in Watford for a Commonwealth Games qualifying standard, some 0.53 seconds faster than the consideration standard of 2:03:50 and 0.61 seconds faster than my previous best time of 2:03:58.

Another brilliant event held by the British Milers Club BMC and the weather was perfect for racing. The women's 800m A race had on paper some of the UK and Irelands best middle distance athletes and for me to finish a credible second was beyond expectations. From this I can take great confidence going forward and hopefully go one better next time.

Post race looking very happy with my nights work

Not only did I set a new PB at this meet, the three other athletes from my training group also did. This was certainly a night to remember for us all, especially Gareth Hill who turns 35 this week and starts his vet career. (he won't be happy I'm saying this)

Training group times:

Andrew Agnew 5000m 14:20:53

Glenn Phair 5000m 14:39:88

Gareth Hill 1500m 3:50:88

The weekend started with flying Belfast to Luton on the Friday evening, allowing time to settle in and relax. Staying about 5 miles from the track in a quaint village was perfect and enabled me to get some peace and quiet. Saturday lie ins are few and far between for me so I embraced this one. We found a lovely cafe called Fred & Ginger for lunch and then chilled at the hotel, before packing my race bag and heading over to the track. After some dodgy navigating and map reading by myself we arrived, a little behind schedule but still plenty of time to spare. 

Packing and preparation, thanks New Balance +newbalance @NBRunning

Action shot, I love running from the back

At the start line ready for the start

As you may or may not know I love to bake in my spare time, and with this I have a sweet tooth. Earlier at lunch I bought a brownie and some coffee cake to treat myself after my race. Both didn't last long with a cup of tea, and then it was lights out for bed.

The next morning was breakfast and a recovery run, 40 minutes to flush the previous evenings race out of my legs. Then an afternoon flight back to Belfast, leaving the sun and calmness of a quiant village to the wet, grey and busy Belfast.

Good news travels fast and my mobile hasn't stopped since my race ended. I am not complaining, the support and well wishes have been amazing and I am very grateful. Thank you to everyone. I hope to do you all proud and continue to raise my standards to improve in every race. I am still young and relatively inexperienced in 800m running and will continue to learn and develop as the days, weeks and months pass. Below is an extract from local papers who have picked up on my race this weekend. Almost hard to believe they are talking about me, and continue to follow my progress and journey.

With the pressure of qualification now lifted I can focus on my university exams for the next few weeks, and once they are finished towards the end of May i can then put my all into the weeks and months ahead for hopefully an exciting and successful summer on the track. I will have another race lined up in the next few weeks, so I will keep you all informed about that.

Now, sadly back to studying for me.

Chilling after my race in the evening sun. Thanks +OAKLEY SUNGLASSES 

After my race with my dad and coach on the left and my boyfriend Johnny on the right. We are all looking happy!!

Some TV interest on returning to the track in Belfast. +newbalance +BBC Sport

Running in the sun makes the legs move faster.

Sun really does make training that bit more enjoyable, especially when its building up to outdoor track season and the training each day is intense and quick. Of course I secretly love it. With Easter later than usual this year the weather in Portugal was almost perfect. There was the odd rain shower but in warm conditions it was nice to cool off. Portugal went well training wise and sessions were completed. I'm also at university so sadly there wasn't much chance of lying in the sun trying to get a tan as there was revision to do for end of year exams. Honestly I don't really tan anyway but its always worth a try!

Indoor season seemed to end as quickly as it started but running a PB 2:03:58 was the highlight. Although completely shocked at this I couldn't be happier and know that it bodes well for outdoors. I also ran the Sainsbury's British Athletics Championships and finishing third in my first senior championship outing was a big confidence boost and gave me a platform to build on.

This will hopefully be a big year for me, as it is for many other athletes with hopes and aspirations to run in The Commonwealth Games which is pretty much a home competition for us Northern Ireland athletes. My qualifying time to make the Northern Irish team is 2:03:50 for the 800m, which i am only 0.08 of a second off.

My outdoor season started in Greystones, Ireland. A nice wee 800m race in the worst conditions possible. Gale force winds and lashing rain made this a tough race and one I can write off as brushing out the cobwebs. In my training group we call the first race of the season the ‘rustbuster’ basically meaning it never goes well but you have to get it out of your system and get the legs moving again. I ran a respectable 2:05:02 which in conditions was better than expected and was actually an outdoor PB for me. This week I head to Watford to race in a BMC, my only wish is for better conditions than the previous race. The start lists are up and with a lot of top class athletes signed up it should be a good quality race and i cant wait to get in the middle of the pack and mix it with the other athletes. 

I will try to get another post up next week after my race this weekend to let you all know how it goes and what my plans are for going on in the weeks to come. With all the training and racing I have to say thank you to New Balance @NBRunning @NewBalanceUK @newbalance for the continued support, what you provide me with is essential and I am extremely thankful. 

Until next time

Katie x