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.
Since returning from South Africa in February, I could safely say that Feb. and March was a period of highs and lows, or to steal a much over used phrase, a roller coaster of emotions.
On April 6th Danny carried the torch along the river at Greenwich before handing over to Theo Walcott.
It was a great honor, to help the flame on its journey to the Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing. As an athlete the flame represents every thing about the games. When they light the cauldron at the opening ceremony, you know the games have begun, and that’s when the nerves really start to get to you.
It was a real shame that every thing that is good about the relay was overshadowed by the demonstrations, not the 99% that demonstrated peacefully, but as always that 1% you always get, that are out there to cause disruption. I am sure there were thousands of families who chose not to go due to the threat of trouble, my wife and 6month old son being among those who sadly thought it would be safer to stay at home. And for those who did brave the cold, they did not get to see the torch as up close and personal as they would have desired and deserved. You see the flame represents every thing that is good about the games; it does not represent the country that hosts it. The Olympics is the friendly games, where athletes come together to compete with no political agendas.
For a track and field athlete the winter months are long and tough. Double training sessions in the coldest and wettest conditions.
That’s why January can never come around quick enough. The first of the warm weather training camps. This year we are in Potchefstroom, about 1 1/2 hrs from Johannesburg, South Africa. Potch is about 1400m above see level. Which means that when you first arrive it is tough. The air is thinner so we have to take it easy over the first few days until we acclimatize to the conditions.
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.
July 11th, 2008 by 
danny 
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Another gold - for Corringham’s Danny Crates