Tim Bayley Olympic Dream Update

Since my last blog entry a lot has happened. I have now run three races over here and have had mixed results so far. The first race in London was an 800m and was never going to be great for me in hindsight- I was still a little jet lagged and needed to get one race under my belt to feel ready to race at my best. I ended up finishing 7th in a time of 1:49.84s which was a seasons best so I was relatively satisfied with the result. True to England the weather was wet and windy which didn't help my cause!

The next morning I flew out to Marakkesh in Morocco to prepare for my second race- another 800m. The race was actually in Casablanca three hours away by car, but the flight was much cheaper to Marakkesh. Marakkesh is an amazing place and if any of you ever have the opportunity to visit I would highly recommend it. The Mosque is extremely old and the architecture magnificent. The market there called the suke (probably misspelled) is also really entertaining with stools selling anything and everything you can imagine as well as lost of authentic Moroccan products. There are also Cobra snake charmers and monkeys wearing diapers wondering around. The weather was very comparable to the East bay.

Three days after arriving I raced in Casablanca. The race went out very fast and after 200m I found myself at the back (11th) but after 600m proceeded to move through the field and finished 6th in a time of 1:48.6s so a further seasons best and decent improvement.

After a great trip I flew back to England and spent one day at home before travelling up to Birmingham to try my hand over 1500m (metric mile) I went out harder that I ever had before over this distance and made a move for the finish with 350m remaining. I then proceeded to fall apart with 200m to go and finished 4th in 3:44.3s which was a disappointing time but I was very pleased with the commitment that I made to try to run fast.

We have now made the decision that I will compete over 800m at the Olympic trials instead of 1500m. I now have two more races coming up in both Manchester (2nd July) and London (3rd July) both over 800m before putting in some final preparations for the trials. I feel positive that I can step my game up over these next two races and at the trials and believe that it is there to be won if I can get it right and run to my full potential.

I am also really excited for Priscilla to arrive on the 5th July and this will give me a huge boost before the trials. I miss her so much and feel stronger and more confident when we are together.

I hope that everyone is doing well back in the sunny East Bay....see you all in 19 days or so!

"Courtney"

After seeing the spectacular dedication to "giving her all" and the persistance of boot camper Courtney M. at a work-out I had the class do this Monday at Rudgear Park, I am officially naming that work-out "Courtney". Thanks Courtney for showing us all how it should be done!

Here is "Courtney"

For Time,TEN ROUNDS OF:
12 Burpees (or modified burpees)
12 Jumping Pull-Ups

Week of June 16th Fitness Test

Hello everyone. Post your results here:

This weeks test was:

FOR TIME Three rounds of:
800 meter run (or something close)
50 Sit-Ups
50 Back Extensions

Moraga did a loop something more like to 600-700 meters.

Tim Bayley Checks In

After a sleepless flight and a 3 hour layover in Cleveland I finally arrived back in England at 7am on Monday morning of last week. My legs were a littlke sore from my race in Los Angeles in which I finished 2nd in the 1500m in 3:42.1s (3:59 mile!) so I am making good progress. I feel that there is so much more to come and that I will get faster with each race that I run.

Driving back down from London Gatwick accross the rolling green hills of the south downs to my home in Brighton I realized how much I enjoy coming home for running and vacation. The countryside is so beautiful and clean and upon arriving at my house I can smell and see the ocean from my bedroom window.

On the running front there have been a couple of changes- the Rabat race in Morocco didn't work out in the end- more Moroccom's entered at the last minute so I was squeezed out. This may have woked in my favor however as I probably needed at least 8 days to recover from my jet lag. I am now racing tomorrow night (18th) in London and the race is set up to be fast. 3 Australian athletes are running and going after the A standard in the 800m so I will get out there and go after the race with all my heart and hopefully post a fast time to open my campaign over here.

I am then flying to Morocco on Thursday (19th) for my race in Casablanca on Sunday 22nd which will be another 800m against a very strong field. I then return to England on Monday to prepare for a big effort in a 1500m race in the midlands of England.

So that is the full extent of my running endevors at the moment. On a day to day basis I am taking it easy, sleeping a lot, training hard, spending some time with my friends, family and on the phone to Priscilla. I am also enjoying a few cups of coffee at any one of the seven Starbucks that are in Brighton (they are taking over the World!).

I hope that everyone is working hard in bootcamp and running plenty of hill repeats :) I am looking forward to getting back to coaching you all on 20th July. Best wishes to you all.

Cheers,

Tim

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Week of June 9th Fitness Test

For Time:

1/4 Mile Run (or approximate - consistant within classes)
21 Push Press
21 Push-Ups
21 Front Squats
15 Push Press
15 Push-Ups
15 Front Squats
9 Push Press
9 Push-Ups
9 Front Squats

Post your times. Make note of you class, weights used and Push-Up Method.

Week of June 2nd Fitness Test

Here was the Test for this week: Post your results as "comments"

5 rounds25 Kettle Bell (Dumbell) Swings
25 Sit-Ups (with roll under back)
25 Back Extensions2
5 Knees to Elbows (hang from bar, bring knees up as far as possible – in front of body and then to elbows if possible)
For time

(Danville did reverse flys instead of Knees to Elbows)

Hope you all had fun!

Remember FITNESS comes from training to preform better! Many people pursue "fitness" as a goal in inself and wonder why they find it so hard to stay motivated - why they work-out 5 days a week in a gym but still can't play soccer with thier kids without getting out of breath, and wonder why they hurt their back doing something so simple as picking up a box.

At boot camp we hold regular fitness tests - which are also amazing work-outs - in order to get you to push past your barriers, break new ground in your fitness, and give you something to "train" for. The tests allow you to measure your progress. doing the tests for "time" (speed) brings that "race" mentallity to the work-outs. It's this mentallity which will allow you to go from just looking fit - to actually being fit.

Random - I know - May 23rd Fitness Test Results Lafayette 5:30am class

Ok Guys, this is random, but I just got handed these this weekend. These are your fitness test results for the May 23rd Lafayette 5:30am class.

The test was as follows:
800 meter run (2 laps)
50 Sit-Ups
50 Back Extensions
50 Sit-Ups
50 Back Extensions
50 Sit-Ups
50 Back Extensions

Participants modifications are noted

FOR TIME

Jann B. (1 lap, 30 reps/set) 19:00
Susan F. 20:54
Kristen K. (1 lap 30 reps/set) 22:11
Janice K. 25:54
Lori M. (1 lap 30reps/set) 21:02
Stephanie R. (1 lap 30/reps/set) 21:04
Lisa O. (30 reps/set) 20:55
Bess I. 25:25
Sue S.E. 25:44
Ruth S. 25:52

Excellent Everyone!