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!!!!!

“I know a thing or two about struggling through tough times and coming out the other side, fitter, leaner and more ready to face the world. The attitude I’ve developed, things I’ve learnt and people I’ve met along the way have strengthened my resolve and given me a greater perspective, not only on my life but on how I can inspire others , from business leaders to front line police officers, school children and sales teams.

1. Blog - build a blog, it grows your positioning online , helps you get found by search engines and puts a face and a voice to your online presence. My blog is my face to the world, it lets me keep my fans up to date on my sporting achievements and gives me a platform for direct 1-1 communication with them .
2. Use virtual Networks, use YouTube , Flickr, Facebook, LinkedIn and others to extend the reach of your audience. The tools and networks are free you just need to make use of them. I’m listed on all these and it extends my reach to my fan base and clients as well as enabling me to deliver my messages in a number of different mediums from photography to video.
3. Motivate your staff. In these tough times it’s inevitable that businesses end up laying off employees. This can create low morale in the workplace which further adds to the stress on the bottom line. Letting your remaining staff know that they are valued and key to the success of the company is imperative. Getting them inspired and motivated is the key.
4. Cultivate your clients. It’s easier to sell to existing clients than go out and find new ones. A large percentage of my business comes from referrals and repeat business as clients who have heard me speak once often refer me to colleagues and partner organisations. So go through your address book and contact your current clients, as they may not be aware of your latest products and offerings.
5. Diversify your product range. Take a look at what your current offer is and see how you can expand on that - I have gone from being a professional athlete and used that experience to motivate and inspire though speaking, hosting and now most recently I’ve diversified into heading up sports and community programs throughout the region.
6. Increase your smart marketing. Don’t cut back - it’s the opposite of what you think you should be doing but its the perfect time to negotiate , everyones cutting back so you can probably double your media presence for the same costs. But make sure you’re using smart channels .The web’s where it’s at for most businesses these days so target your channels to those where you get the most “bang for your buck”.
7. Network - You’re using your virtual networks (Facebook, linked in etc.) but get out there, get in touch with old acquaintances and make new connections. You never know where it will lead.
8. Provide outstanding customer service - these are the times to not forget your existing clients, make them feel remembered, they may be struggling as much as you so let them know you’re thinking about them and go that extra mile…(or 800m in my case !)
9. Don’t Panic - Things are bad, but the media tends to exaggerate the extent of a downturn. No one who has championed in business and sport has had an easy ride !
10. Get Fit - In times of recession people tend to cut down on snacks and treats and maintain a healthier lifestyle. So now’s the perfect time to not only tighten your financial belt but your physical one as well ; and you’ll feel much better for it !

Well as I am sure many of you are now aware.  Beijing did not quite work out as planned.  After many months of battling injury I finally succumbed to a 2cm tear in my right soleous, ruling me out of the race I had worked so hard for.

Sadly all this came less than 24hrs after one of the biggest highs, and proudest moments in my career.  Carrying the flag, and leading Paralympics GB out into the opening ceremony.

It is hard to describe the emotions of the Opening Ceremony, it is something that as an athlete you dream of, that honor.  But whilst I enjoyed and cherished every moment, I had that 1% doubt in my mind.

 Just knowing how much I had been through, just to be there.

After I realized that I would not be able to compete, I took the toughest of decisions, I Left early and returned home.

So what now, well I am back in training and hoping to put the demons of Beijing 2008 behind me.  I have the small matter of going back after the 800m World record I held since 2004.  I do not believe a middle distance World record belongs in Poland!!!!!!!

When I last updated you I had just had another injection.  Well at first it did not seem that it had worked, then things started to progress.  Much faster than anyone could have imagined.

I did my first tentative grass jog on Sunday 27th July followed by another during the week.  I did my first track session since march on Monday 4th Aug., 2nd on wed 6th and raced on that Sat 9th, where I ran 1:59,  securing my place.  A very fast progression.

From then on training went from strength to strength and I improved with every session.  So much so that on wed 20th I ran my second race.  Clocking 1min 57.54sec, which showed that I was getting back and looking like I could once again dream of the medal.  All seemed well and I felt no pain.

I went for a run the next day and felt some pain in my achilies again, so rested ready for the flight on sun 24th.

Once I arrived in Maccau, sadly things got worse, the injury has re-appeared and I have been unable to run.  The medical team are working hard on me, and I have had a series of 3 injections again and another ultra sound scan.

The original plan to get some good training in has now gone.  although as always I am training hard, just not running, and as always I  have not given up the hope and dream.  The focus now is to get me on the start line, and able to run. They can put a local anasthetic in the area for the races, but, to do this for training would run the risk of injury, and I still plan to compete next year and further.

Not the build up I had hoped or dreamed of.  I can safely say that this has been the toughest season of my career and very hard to deal with mentally.

Believe me there can be no one more upset and hurt than me.  But it is not over yet, and I have not endured the last 5 months to give up just two weeks short. and I have not endured the last 5 months to not put up a fight in the race.

my races are on 14th and 15th sept.  I will keep you posted on how things progress and hopefully the 15th can shed some light over my season

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.