Olympic hopeful Michael Doyle's Diary - Part Two

Coming into my final year of the junior age group (2006) my main aim was to qualify for the World racewalking cup. As I mentioned last week, I found it extremely difficult to be competitive at the international stage as it was a major step up in standard, but at least I knew what was required to qualify for a Global competition. With the help of my coach at the time we set out a plan to achieve qualification. I had to change my lifestyle and become more serious with my training to reach the required level necessary to qualify for the World championships. At the time I was finished being a rascal in Ashbourne Community School and I undertook a PLC course in Colaiste Ide studying Sport and Leisure Management. Education never really appealed to me, all I wanted to do was compete. Even though I wasn't the biggest trouble maker in school my best memories were standing outside my year head's (Mr O'Connell) office with all my mates for acting the maggot (pups as he used to call us) or looking for the FM104 bounty hunter with my mates while in Colaiste Ide.."Sorry ma." While in Colaiste Ide the physical aspect of the course really appealed to me. I was doing up to two hours of conditioning, five hours of aerobic work with the course and then training six days a week for walking. Then, on top of all that, doing some gym work. I was extremely motivated to qualify and represent my country. Looking back at it now I trained too hard as I was not allowing enough time for proper recovery. To cut a long story short (you might think I was writing an autobiography), I qualified for the World cup of racewalking and finished 35th which was a big improvement considering that in the previous season I was well over two minutes outside the qualifying standard. This was a huge event which consisted of the best racewalkers from about 70 countries. At the time it was a big breakthrough and was a very enjoyable experience for me and my family. The next three years were exceptionally challenging as I was now racing against the big boys in the senior ranks. It was a big jump from 10km to 20km distance and I struggled to reach international standard, but looking back at those years they were the most important in my development. I was always training consistently which gave me the base to eventually reach a higher level. It was only last year where I made a big jump winning the national 20km title in 1hr 26mins and then finishing 19th in the World Student Games in China and also placing 33rd in the European racewalking championship. I would like to finish off by wishing fellow Meath Olympic hopeful Natalya Coyle the best of luck in her World cup final this weekend. In my next column I'll let you know of how my preparations are going for my Olympic qualification.