Michael Doyle's Olympic Diary Part Three

Coming into the 2011/2012 season I knew I needed to make some crucial decisions if I wanted to qualify for the London Olympics. Last year was a good year, I won the national 20km championship, was 33rd in Europe and finished 19th at the World Student Games (the Olympics for students) in China, but I knew I needed to up my game if I was to achieve the qualifying time for London. With the support of my family and girlfriend, I decided to move to Guadix, Spain were my coach Daniel Jacinto Garzon is based. Moving to Spain meant that I could train with my training group on a daily basis, and more importantly, get constant technical advice from my coach. My day-to-day lifestyle didn't change as at the end of the day no matter where you are you have got to train. You get up, eat, train and sleep twice daily which is the norm (with maybe two evenings off a week). This is a basic requirement if you want to make it in any sport on the global stage. It has been my daily lifestyle for years now, and that's just the way of life for any full-time athlete. Moving to Spain would be of huge financial expense. My parents came up with the idea of a fundraiser and I was overwhelmed by the support I received at home especially in the current economic climate. My parents were fantastic; they went knocking on doors in the Rathfeigh/Skryne community trying to sell tickets for the event. It was a great success especially as I have no financial sponsor and finance is a constant worry at the moment, but without the help of my parents none of this would have been possible. The sporting culture at home is that once someone starts training in the rain that he or she is "awful tough" or another classic "God your off the beer a month, that's some sacrifice." Sacrifices are not just the norm when trying to compete at international sport or any trade/business in life. Both my father and mother have gone back to work after retiring in order to assist my athletic and acdemmic finances.…..now that's sacrifice. I still never forget the days when I was waking up in the middle of the night to watch the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and thinking that one day I wanted to be there too. I participated in my first running race as a seven-year-old running around Trim Castle. I finished well down the field but I remember telling my friends at the time that I would represent Ireland in the Olympics and they all laughed. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of representing my country at the Olympics and memories like that spur me on to get the most out my current physical ability. The season to date has started off very well. My training is all geared towards peaking for my 50km attempt in May, so I entered into some early season races relaxed and without any major expectations. In both the National 5km and 30km championships I broke my personal best performances. Then, at the end of the month, I entered the 50km Spanish championship as a training exercise. The aim was to complete 40km comfortably and then drop out as it was only training. The session went brilliantly and I completed the distance in three hours and 13 minutes, but I was very much within comfort zone. Considering I was only training I was finishing at the pace that was required to achieve the Olympic time….not bad for a training session! The most important aspect of this particular session was to get myself mentally and nutritionally prepared for the 50km attempt in May. The Olympic qualifying time for 50km is three hours and 59 minutes. The majority of the top 50km racewalkers are capable of doing sub-three hours for the marathon (42km) so the physical demands of the event are huge and no stone must be left unturned whilst preparing for it. The 50km race walk event in our country, in terms of quality in depth, is arguably the most competitive event there is, along with some of the boxing weight categories. We have five athletes who are all well capable of achieving the time. All bar myself have done so in the past, I am making my debut over the distance this year. Only three can represent Ireland in London. Robert Heffernan is our best chance of a medal outside of boxing so that leaves four of us fighting for two places. Colin Griffin and Jamie Costin competed in the last Olympics, but still need to achieve the standard for London. Brendan Boyce achieved the standard last year. I have got to concentrate on my training and not get caught up in what my rivals are doing otherwise my training will suffer. All I can say is when I step onto the course in Russia I will make sure that I'm not just ready physically, but also mentally. LET THE WAR BEGIN BOYS….MAY THE BEST MAN WIN.