Glasgow Commonwealth Games selection- an exciting summer ahead.

I can't quite believe I am writing this, but I am going to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow! 

Northern Ireland are sending a team of 14 athletes from various track and field events, which is very exciting and one of the largest teams for quite a number of years. It has felt like a long haul since my last International championship in 2011 and I am definitely ready for the challenge ahead. A lot of hard work and sweat have gone into running my qualification time and I am happy to say it has been worth it.

The Northern Ireland athletics team for Glasgow.

Since running the consideration standard in Watford a few weeks ago I decided not to race until the Northern Ireland championships which were held last weekend. This allowed me to get a busy exam period over and done with and fit in some hard training, which meant back to the grass for some endurance sessions. After moving up from sprint type training for 400 meters  I think I am still getting used to endurance sessions. 

Unfortunately my asthma flared up for a few weeks which always freaks me out a little. I don't know about other athletes but when I get a small niggle or even a cold I blow it out of proportion slightly thinking its the end of the world. Luckily I came out of the other side of exams and asthma worries all ready to go. I really have been buzzing or the last 10 days or so, there really is no better feeling than finishing exams and having an exciting summer of events and track meets to look forward to.

The N.I champs were held at the Mary Peters track in Belfast and it was possibly the wettest track meet I have ever competed at. But saying that there was relatively no wind and it was not cold. I ran the 400m for some speed work and finished second behind Ireland's Sinead Denny. I wasn't 100% happy with my performance but for a first outing over 400m it wasn't bad, what can I say I am hard to please! It is also a real luxury to train on my home track it is a great venue and hopefully I can race there soon... but with no rain please! Is that too much to ask?

I forgot how painful a 400m can be.

Thankfully I reached the finish line.

After the NI Championships on Saturday, Athletics NI sat down to finalise the list of recommendations for the CWG council to then make the final selection. The long anticipated phone call arrived late on Monday night to say I have made the team and it is all systems go to the Games. I will be running 800m and my heats will be held on Thursday 31st July. Thats around 50 days from now so some steady training until then will hopefully keep me fit and injury free. Since receiving the good news I have had a huge smile on my face and I don't think it will disappear for some time yet. Representing my country in Scotland will be such and honour and I can't wait to race. Media attention seems to be growing and already, I am delighted to be interviewed by different sources both television and radio. This can only be a good thing as we hope to raise the profile of the Northern Ireland team and hopefully people can get behind us all as a group to cheer us on. It is almost our home games!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/27629826

A link to my BBC Sport interview, I always find these hard to watch.

Before then I have a few other races lined up, starting with a BMC meet in Watford next Wednesday 18th and then U23 British Championships on the Saturday and Sunday of the same week, to be held in Bedford. This means 5 nights in a hotel but I have already researched and noted some good looking coffee shops to pass my time so I think I will survive. Going on from there I will race in the Sainsbury's  British Championships in Birmingham the last weekend in June. 

A busy schedule lined up for me but I will get another blog in soon to update how my training and races are going in the build up to Glasgow. I am now off to an awards dinner with Queens University Belfast, its a great excuse to shop for a new dress and shoes. As an athlete it makes a welcome change from running shorts and trainers!

Swapping my running gear for something a little nicer.

As many people know my dad is also my coach, and I would like to finish this blog mentioning him and all his hard work and determination getting me to this point. Through everything he is there and puts his all into making me the athlete I am today. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity with the Belfast Telegraph to do an article involving my Dad, and this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. In the interview he even said some nice things about me. Here is the link: 

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics-keeps-on-running-in-talented-kirk-family-30332698.html

About one hundred takes to get this photo right, I should stick to just running!