Three Races, Five Days.

I spent 5 days last week in England to run the Watford gold standard BMC meet and England athletics U23 championships in Bedford. Watford was my first race back after taking 4 weeks off from 800m racing and I was really excited to get back on the track and race over my favourite distance. 

A girl can never have too many shoes...even trainers and spikes.

I admit I did have high expectations of myself going into the BMC race on the 18th June- after all the last time I raced on this track I ran a big PB and Commonwealth Games qualifying time. I was eager to repeat the performance, the weather was good and I felt nothing could go wrong. Unfortunately the race didn't go quite how I imagined it would. Reflecting back now it was another stepping stone to Glasgow and every race develops me as an athlete so I have to be happy with that. 
Excuse me while I get a bit philosophical... 
Athletes are often disappointed with performances, we are a very hard bunch to please. I feel it is really important to manage expectations and to go into every race with an open mind that anything can happen. No one is perfect and we all can't run well all the time. If I have a not so good race I try to move on as quickly as possible...easier said than done.

It was brilliant to have my mum and brother in Watford watching and hanging out with us. We became regular customers in our favourite spot 'Fred and Ginger' (http://fredandgingercoffee.co.uk) in Kings Langley for amazing breakfasts, lunches and coffees. My mum rarely travels with me and she pointed out that she sees how it can be difficult to find athlete friendly food when away from home with no cooking facilities. I can usually find something that suits me wherever I go but I have to admit I have had many dodgy pre race meals in. If only there was a Fred and Ginger cafe everywhere I went. I generally find that most restaurants are accommodating for my weird dietary requests but if in doubt head to Nandos!! Really can't beat chicken and vegetables.
The day after the race and after a wee recovery run the whole family headed into London for a few hours. When away racing there is little time to sight see and time is generally spent lounging about hotel rooms and doing very little. So it was lovely to get out for a few hours and walk around which really does no harm.

The heats for the England athletics U23 championships were held on Saturday 21st of June. After my disappointment on Wednesday I wasn't particularly confident but excited to race and take in the atmosphere. This was my first British age group championships since 2011 and it is amazing to be back at a championship which I usually perform well at. 

Getting my gear ready pre race.

I thankfully got though my heat safely and didn't have to push too hard or waste much energy. The winning times for both heats were slightly quicker than I anticipated but it was good to put two races in quick succession together for commonwealth preparation. The heat was crucial as I feel that it helped me get over a flat feeling that admittedly I experienced on Wednesday, but on reflection, this was to be expected when I hadn't raced in over four weeks. The conditions on both days were perfect PB weather with Sunday being ideal as the wind and temperature dropped slightly from the Saturday.

Pre race routine...I can't actually fly or levitate. 

Before the final my dad/coach reminded me that the Bedford track is always good to me. Whenever I competed here in the past I have usually run well, this gave me the confidence that I maybe lacked slightly after my previous few races. Now for some stats; Over the past 5 years I have had 3 golds, 1 silver and a bronze at Bedford. Including 3 personal bests, two championship bests and a stadium record. I don't think there is another stadium that has been anywhere near as kind to me.

I felt tactically my race was sound, Hanna Tarver went off hard but I did believe she would come back to me in the last 100m and that is what happened, all be it with some luck. Huge well done to all the girls Georgia Bell, Alexandra Bell, Rachel McClay, Hanna Tarver and the lovely Jade Williams. There were 4 PB's in the final and even a few in the heats. I did what I set out to do and running under 2.03 again gave me a confidence boost that I think I needed in the run up to the Commonwealth Games. 

On the podium with Georgia Bell and Alexandra Bell.

Won in style...the look on my face says maybe not in style.

Some lovely words by the Athletics weekly reporter.

The win was celebrated with a Krispy Kreme donut (caramel iced ring for the foodies out there) and my brother's class coffee cake! Can't beat it really. 

It was back down to the track on Monday morning at 9.30am for a day of filming and photography with some amazing people. The mysterious project will be revealed shortly and I am excited to announce my involvement. It really is wonderful to be getting so much support in the lead up to the commonwealths and on Wednesday I attended a breakfast held by Queen's University Belfast Sport. All the Queen's Commonwealth Games athletes were invited and it was great to catch up with friends. 

A privilege and pleasure to be interviewed by Eve Muirhead.

In the spotlight with plenty of cameras and media.

Sadly I will not be competing in the Sainsbury's British Championships this weekend as I have a cold. A big disappointment for me as it would have been my first outdoor senior Championships and I was in confident mood after my win last week. But I will be resting up and back racing in the next two weeks. 

All for now,
Katie x 

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!

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