danny crates

After all the upsets of Beijing 2008, I decided that was no way to finish a 10yr career.  So off I went again, to battle the highs and lows of winter training.  Pounding the streets in the pouring rain and running on the mud soaked grass.  Oh the joys!!!!

The injuries and troubles of Beijing were now behind me; well almost I still felt pain in my right Achilles every time I ran.  This alone was making the winter training tough going, both physically and mentally.

March brought the much-needed warm weather trip to San Diego. Training was finally coming together, and keep it to yourself, but I think the Achilles was starting to settle down.  I was now feeling confident about the forth-coming season and the fast approaching Paralympic World Cup.

Preparation was going very well, until 4weeks pre race, I sustained a grade one tear to my left hamstring.  Frustrating would be an understatement.  But as always, I took the optimistic approach.  Still 4weeks to go.  After 2 1/2weeks I was back into full training, with a quick 4 days out recovering from a bug my wonderful son picked up and lovingly shared with me, and the family, great!!!

I decided to race just 4 days prior to the world cup.  I felt I needed to get some rust out of the legs.  A good job too.  That was the slowest 800m I have ever run.

Sunday 25th May finally arrived.  The Paralympic World Cup was upon us, and here was my chance to prove to the World that I was back.  The apprehension had really started to get to me. The pressure I was feeling to once again lead the field in 800m running.  This was not helped by the last 4 weeks training.

As the race approached I had calmed myself with the knowledge that I had achieved in my sport and this was only the beginning of the comeback.  This enabled me to relax a bit.  I even shared a laugh in the moments before the race with the current World Record holder.  Something I would never have contemplated in races past.  All that said though. Once I put on the GB vest I had only one intention, TO WIN.

This race was even more special to me, my son Henry was there to see me race for the very first time.

Danny Crates Paralympic World Cup 09

As the gun went I suddenly felt at home, back racing.  At the bell I felt comfortable and found myself working through the pack. As we approached 600m I was leading the current Paralympic champ and poised to attack the race leader.  When suddenly I felt some twinges in my left hamstring.  Within 10m it was over.  I had stepped off of the track in pain. As an athlete that is the lowest feeling, sitting on the edge of the track, watching the race conclude without me.  This was the only race I have failed to finish in 10yrs.

I was scanned on the Tuesday and it was revealed I know had a 5cm grade two tear to my hamstring.  4-6weeks rehab.

So what now? Same as always, stay positive, do the rehab (well most of it) and get back out on the track.

See you in 4 weeks!!!!!

Good news has yet to come..

Well, Once again I was hoping to give you some good news, and be able to say that I was running again, and catching up fast. Sadly this is not the case. After 5 injections I am still unable to run.
That does not mean that I am not training though. I am working hard, in the gym, pool and out on my bike. The latest tool in my armory is the G-Trainer.

The G-trainer is a weight compensating treadmill, which in basic terms lightens the load. This enables me to run without inflaming the Achilles too much. The treadmill is based at St Mary’s Uni in Teddington. Whilst there I also have use of the altitude chamber. This reduces the oxygen I breathe whilst training. Which increases my workload and helps speed up fitness.

I am in for what will be my final injection, and shot at fitness for Beijing on Monday. I can assure you that I, and all the UK Athletics support team are doing all that we can to get me, repaired and prepared in time for Beijing.

View the new brand advert, for the Great Britain Paralympic team.

Another gold - for Corringham’s Danny Crates

The 34-year-old, from Corringham, held off Algerian Hamza Rahouni in the closing
stages to win in 1.58.35mins in Manchester.

And Crates insisted he was pleased with the performance.

Crates latest triumph in Manchester, saw him defend the crown he also won last season.But it was certainly close as Rahouni chased him down the home straight and almost overtook the Thurrock Harrier.

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