World Cup Part 2!

It's been a week since the World Cup and my body is finally recovering. My hamstring pulled up quite sore when I tried to train around Moscow airport on Tuesday morning after the race and so I gave it a rest for two days. I have been receiving treatment all week here in Girona and it's slowly improving. I was quite tired for a few days after the race in Cheboksary (I'm getting old!) but Nat and I enjoyed a day and a half of sightseeing around Moscow before leaving Russia. Left: Nat about to board the specially decorated World Cup Bus and Below: Men's 20km walk

In my last update I didn't congratulate the Aussie Team on their overall performances at the World Cup. From the Juniors to the senior races everybody raced their guts out. A lot of personal bests were done and some overall incredible performances especially on Day 1 with Jess coming in 5th in the Junior girls and Daniel Coleman leading the Aussie Junior boys home with a PB. Luke bringing the Aussie men home in 7th place and a PB, Jared 10th and Chris with a PB in 31st and an Olympic A time. The men were awesome as a team and picked up a bronze medal for their efforts to go with the one from two years ago!

Duane was our sole representative in the 50km on day two and once again showed his determination to finish even though it was tough day at the office. The men's 50km produced a World Record by Russian Denis Nizergorodov and the local crowd went crazy about. Unfortunately it was Nathans' record that had stood since his amazing effort in Geelong in December 2006. But I have to say if the men couldn't beat the record in Cheboksary then they weren't going to break it in a long time; they had perfect conditions, no wind, not too hot, not too cold, completely flat course with only two turns and Nizergorodov was pushed hard by his compatriot, Kanaykin the World 20km record holder. Nathan had completely opposite conditions; windy, undulating course with lots of turns and he did it by himself from the gun! I know Deakesy was disappointed not to race the 20km in Cheboksary as a small injury flared up again just a week out from the race. But I know how determined and competitive he is and will be on the start line in Beijing with only GOLD on his mind!

In the women's 20km race we came away with 5th place in the teams overall!

This photo is at the party after the World Cup: Me, Eder Sanchez (3rd men's 20km Mexico), Luke Adams and Nat! We had a great night even though the organisers ended the party early we kicked on! That's one thing about the race walkers we know how to have a good time.

I will add some more photos to my gallery on my website soon. Hopefully I can locate one of me racing!

Finally Olympic Nomination!

I have just been notified today that AA has nominated me for the Olympic Games in Beijing! It certainly is a relief to have officially been nominated. I know my performances should speak for themselves but in this current selection climate who knows what will happen! So now I can relax a little and focus on Beijing. Although I'm a little sad to not have Nat competing alongside me again as we did in Athens and the last couple of Comm. Games and World Cups. But Nat's not a quitter and she is keen to get back to her best for next season.


Next Races

This Thursday I will travel to Krakow for the "NA RYNEK MARSZ" IAAF Race Walking Challenge (http://www.narynekmarsz.pl/) to be held in Krakow Market Square on Saturday afternoon. The Market Square is one of the biggest in Europe and a great place to show case and promote race walking. The meet is organised by Robert Korzeniowski's wife and is always a fantastic event.

I also plan to race in the IAAF Race Walking Challenge in La Coruña, Spain on 8th June. So I just have to stay on top of my hamstring niggle and I will end my first half of the season at this event. I will also attend my first IAAF Race Walking Committee meeting in La Coruña.

Giro D'Italia

Whilst I have been competing Matt has been directing his Slipstream - Chipotle Pro Cycling Team at his first grand tour; the Giro D'Italia. The team won the first stage which was a team time trial so it was a great start for Matt as Director and also the team. The Giro finishes in Milan on 1st June and hopefully they can get a stage win or two before they hit Milan!