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Colin looks forward to 2010

 

After a mixed 2009 season, Colin Griffin’s preparations for 2010 are in full swing with the European Championships in July in Barcelona where he will take part in his specialist 50km event, the main target. Colin, who this week flies out to Portugal for a warm-weather training camp with the Athletics Ireland High performance Squad, will open his season with the Italian 35km Championships at the end of January and will be hoping to get in a few solid weeks training having, like many other athletes, had his training disrupted by the bad weather over the Christmas. “This is always a good time to get away just after Christmas as it helps get the mind focussed again, and of course, get good quality training and recovery done in more favourable conditions. This winter has been particularly difficult in terms of training conditions with the prolonged heavy rain and flooding in November, and the heavy snow and freezing conditions over Christmas”.

 

After a promising start to 2009 where he easily achieved the IAAF “A” Standard over 50km qualifying him for the World Championships and this year’s European Championships. His form looked promising going into the World Championships in Berlin after produced some world class performances over shorter distances during the summer, but a reoccurring illness the week before the World Championships severely affected his preparation and was forced to abandon at 34km after a bout of stomach sickness despite being close to the top 20 and well inside Irish record pace for the distance. After consultation with a Neurologist in the autumn, the problem was identified and a course of treatment was prescribed and overseen between Athletics Ireland medical officer Dr Joe Conway and Colin’s Limerick based physio Johnson McEvoy.

 

Over the winter Colin has made some changes to his training program, with the addition of top strength and conditioning coach John Cleary to his support team. “While strength and conditioning has always been an integral part of my program, I felt the need to make a few changes to my program and focus on a few specific areas and so far it has made a notable difference. John works closely with my physio so they are in constant collaboration. I’ve also been doing Yoga classes and do a full 90 minute session of Yoga 3-4 days a week and it has also made a huge difference to my flexibility and mobility”.

 

With the European Championships in Barcelona at the end of July his main target, Colin will also compete over 50km at the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in Mexico in May. With a short time span in between the 2 events and both held in extremely hot conditions with the World Cup also at 1400m altitude, Colin will be making sure he is well prepared for Barcelona and himself and his Italian coach feel that the World Cup event will provide him with the valuable experience leading into Barcelona.  “Both races will be in tough conditions with the World Cup at 1400m altitude and quite warm conditions, but Barcelona in July will be an absolute blood-bath with heat and humidity. While the main focus will be on the European Championships, I will be hoping to gain good experience in the World Cup and aim for a high position. I am a good responder to altitude and having spent years training at altitude, I expect to adapt quite well to the conditions. There are only 11 weeks between both events so good recovery will be crucial”.

 

To help him prepare for both events, Colin will be going to South Africa with the other Irish athletes for a 4 week altitude training camp, which is being supported by the Irish Institute of Sport. With funding and sponsorship opportunities scarce at the present moment, Colin is hoping to retain his funding from the Irish Sports Council this year, having met the criteria in 2009 and is fortunate to have the support of London based Leitrim businessman Tony McGovern up to the London Olympics in 2012. Colin also receives gear support from long term supplier Asics and also avails of the support of Aura Leitrim Leisure facility in Carrick on Shannon. Colin continues to be coached by top Italian coach Sandro Damilano, and will spend portions of the year at his base in Italy.

Colin will also have other commitments outside of his athletics career as he has started a part-time course with Setanta College led by renowned top Irish coaches Jim Kilty and Dr Liam Hennessy with their course in Physical Fitness and Conditioning for Sport, which will provide Colin with a full coaching qualification in many areas including weightlifting and sports nutrition. “Having been a full-time athlete since I graduated from the University of Limerick a few years ago, it’s a good opportunity to keep the mind active and ensure that when my competitive career is over that I have opportunities available to me and put my experiences of training and competing at the highest level to good use”. Colin, who already has a Level 2 Athletics Ireland coaching qualification, has been long time coach to fellow Leitrim international Laura Reynolds, who has already competed at World Youth, World Junior and European under 23 championship level under Colin’s guidance and also has ambitions of Olympic qualification in her target.

With a busy and challenging year ahead, Colin will be hoping that he can finally put his streak of bad luck of previous years behind him and make his championship breakthrough.