Ain't nothing to see here darling

Yep its been more than a minute since my last blog.

My 2011 season has ended and I ponder my next moves. Coach has given me a month off and then I am due to start back. I'm pushing for October so I can get my ducks in a row.  The 2012 OGames circus when it rolls around is gonna be hectic to say the least. So maybe this premature end to the season is a blessing for my body.

I'm spending time with my family. As nephew number 1 in on summer break. So its death by children's tv, milkshakes and all the things 6 year old boys know they shouldn't be doing.

Now to the title of this blog. Well in terms of track this summer was hmmmmm interesting.  For the 1st time ever I think I allowed outside forces and people to get in my head. Yep they won. I gave a good fight now.  Its made me question myself, peoples motives and myself again. A healthy angry Joice is so not what they want going into the 2012 season. But hey that's what you got. Cause last time I checked. Karma is a bitch and she don't know when to stop.

So I didn't make the World Champs team. Hmmm been there before in 2005 and what a fab season I had in 2006. Thing is how many people on this Worlds team wont make the team next year? Damn I'm not the only person sitting at home from team GB. Life goes on.

Track allows us to dust ourselves off and come back again. Hard work is hard work is hard work.

Its the randoms that have tried to worm their way into my life this summer that has prompted this blog.  What is it they see in me that makes them what to pry into my life. Facebook requests, Linkedin requests from people I have never meet. Kinda defeats the purpose of the site if you ask me. I thought Linkedin was a little cleaner than Facebook. (I guess not) shrug.

Yesterday was a classic. A guy claiming to be a serial networker with 500 people on his list contacted me. In my head I'm thinking sponsor or he knows someone who can. Yeah right and pigs might fly. He told me he doesn't know anyone who can help. Well Sir, maybe you should forget networking and collect beer mats cause you suck at networking.

On a real note the OGames is around the corner and come September (October if I have my way) I have to get my head down and train like my life depends on it.

No word of a lie I need sponsors I have not been funded by my governing body since 2008. All serious sponsors are welcome and needed.

But if your looking to peer in the window and merely watch what I am up to. Please don't bother me I have work to do.  Like the title of this blog says. 'Aint nothing to see here darling'

I'm really just trying to achieve my own personal goals in an Olympic Games in my home town. Now how many people in their lifetime can experience that?

I'm looking for 'Team Joice' not sightseers. So who's with me?

Seats on the bus are limited.

Update

Well I must say its been a minute since I last blogged. So lets see if I can remember all that has happened.

Ive been racing with results that I have not been best pleased with.

Hengelo, Bydgoszcz and Strasbourg. A 3rd place in the 200m in Hengelo was pretty cool. Lane 2 and all. I had a stinker in Bydgoszcz not realizing I was not 100% until I tired to run. But, I was able to turn it around in Strasbourg and end the 1st half of the season with a 23.23 seasons best in the 200m.

Soon after I hoped on a plane and headed back to IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida.  There is just something about being down here that makes me happy. The facility and the atmosphere here is enough to raise anyone up.

As I type this blog I have just finished my 1st week back. Running a time trail this am followed by weight room. The times were pretty decent consider the 90+ heat I was running in.

So that pretty much is me right about now. I'm just down here training and putting deposits back in the bank for the 2nd half of the outdoor season.

Jx

2011 Outdoor has started

So the seasons has started and not too shabby if I must say.

I began with a little meet in Orlando which was in my own words terrible. Putting my 1st race together after weeks of breaking down different aspects of the race was the worst. I didn't start and basically played catch up which you can't do in a 100m 11.7?.  I can't even remember that's how much attention I'm paying that race.

After that I flew home to London for a night and then headed up to Manchester for the street race. That Friday night I managed to fall ass over tit  down some fire exit stairs and tear the hell out of my right heel. Can anyone one say ouch. Blood all over the place and 2 nice chunks carved out of my heel. .

The street race was a wet and windy Sunday. I padded and tapped up the heel and ran the 200m.  Just before the start I asked an official where the finish line was.  He said 'run to that 1st traffic light' lol

Job done without dying a terrible death on TV. 23.6? (I need to get better at remembering these times). My heel was on fire by the end of the meet. But such is life.



I then spent the week in London preparing for the Loughborough match. Had the doping lady round who woke me up at 7pm. She got the moody slapped ass Joice. Does she have any idea how hard I am finding it to sleep right now?

Heel still very sore. I had now upgraded to Compeeds. But they keep fusing themselves into the healing wound. (Not nice)


Loughborough Meet


23.40 +2.4 (I won) what I like about this race was that people actually lined up to compete. Very rarely other than trials will we all be in the same place to line up against each other. My coach and I decided I would run as many 200s as possible before I race over the 100. The problem with Europe is that is hard to find 200s. So I decided not to double up in Loughborough. 200 and 4x100 was enough for the day.

Training at home alone always has its challenges. But this year I seem to have fallen into a win win. I stumbled upon Jade Johnson at Crystal Palace. If you don't know Jade is the original Gladiator when it comes to weightroom. (Which is my least favorite part of practice.) We have been lifting and running the odd intensive tempo sessions together. We compliment each other well in our weaknesses.

So Caroline my agent has me on a healthy race schedule. I'm off to Hengelo this weekend. With more races to follow.

I have some other fingers in pies which as they are solidified of course I will share with you.

But season wise I would say so far so good. I think 1 more week and I will be over the jet lag and in a good daily schedule.

Chat soon

Jx

Russian Visa 2011

You would think it got easier as the years went on. But, on no this week I starred in the Russian  Visa saga. (No that is not my passport in the image above)

Filled in form online. Check.  Trotted down to the processing office. Check. Handed in passport payment and forms. Check.

Pick up passport next day. The computer says no.

Apparently I need a letter of invitation. The lady who took my papers yesterday forgot to tell me this vital piece of info. She puts on a good act of 'I've never seen you before'   Lady it was less than 24 hours ago. You have got to be kidding.

So I'm making frantic calls to my agent because I have actually turned up 30mins too early. I'm still in the submissions window or its back the next day.

Clocks ticking no pressure.  Shrug

Its amazing what a smile and a calm voice can do. The lady behind the counter gave me a 45min extension on my submission of the invitation letter.  : )

The clock ticks on and finally the a letter is emailed over. Result


I picked up my visa yesterday and I am officially off to Moscow to race this weekend. The last time I raced here it was a disaster. So I have a point to prove. Plus I'm trying desperately not to get sick. I still have flash backs of 'Calling Earl' last year after 3 days in Moscow. Emergen-C at the ready.

Jx

IMG it was nice

So I'm back home in the UK for the indoor season. I had such a wonderful time trained damn hard and explored another part of the USA. I have been told I have a "healthy" indoor schedule. Top marks to Caroline my agent for doing her thing.


I came back to race  my 1st race at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. I left Wednesday night landing Thursday morning.  This gave me a day to chill before the meet. That was until I got on the wrong bus to the wrong track for my pre meet warm up. Then we had the fire alarm evacuation from the hotel.  (Nice!!!)  Yes it was freezing out there. A jacket would have been nice.

I had a pretty decent run. Thats considering I was in lane 5 (also called the extension lane). It turns out lane 5 is not part of the original oval track. Its hmmm what would be called an add on. The banks are STEEP. I felt like I was doing up hill speed work going into the 2nd bend and lost my footing coming off the 1st bend. 


2nd place yep I will take it. All smiles here.  : )


Even though the picture below would say otherwise. I like how my abs look though.  lol

Below are a few pics of my time in Sarasota

Headed to my 2nd home (the airport) some time this week for the next meet.


Chat soon


Jx

What you up to Joice?

A comment left by Graham prompted me to write this blog. I wanted to give more of an insight into what my days are like and what i'm up to.


This time of the year winter (Fall for my American friends) is the time when the HARD work is put in. These are the days  where practice runs on for hours. I pack a snack a protein shake and keep it moving. 


I'm a need to know person and have discovered over the years that I like to read a training session. To simply throw distances and times and recoveries at me does nothing for me. Im sure to come back and ask several times 'Tell me again what we are doing'. lol  (There is a term to describe this but for the life of me I can't remember).


My day usually starts at 6am (natural body clock) I'm great in the mornings not so good between 8pm and 9pm. Ive been known to fall sleep. Waking up an hour later full of life and ready to go at 10pm.  Oh I forgot to mention my must have after practice 1 hour nap.


Since being back in Atlanta i've been weaning myself back into a full week of training. 


Week 1 - 4 days
Week 2 - 5 days
Week 3 - 6 days


Im up to 6 already and currently in the 'RED' zone of my training cycle which is also known as the loading week. Its only Tuesday and I can't sit down. My ass is killing me. : (


But. 'Hair of the dog' was my phrase for today as I rocked up at the track to run 300s. After yesterdays LONG session.  We have taken to guessing how many $s the training session will cost in parking. lol


Yesterday was our longest at $10.  11.00am - 3.30pm.  Hmmmmm


Right about now its about getting the workouts in, lifting the weights and resting. (and repeat the following week)


I have Dr H the best Chiro ever who puts me back in alignment once a week. Ive also met a great massage guy call Rick who finds the niggles. Nothing better than a massage where you just lay and relax.


I'm counting down to going home for Xmas. Of course I miss my family. (My sister is my best friend). But then Jan I have a nice little surprise which I will share yep in Jan. lol


So that's me. Head down getting the work in. 


And yes Graham I know where I'm going.  lol

Time to start depositing in the 2011 bank

So I'm headed back to Atlanta to start preparing for next year. This is the time of year where there really is not much to say. So I will probably be posting random stuff and 'Quotes of the day'.  We all know I love a good quote.

CWG Reflections

This has been one of the hardest blogs to write so I'm just gonna go for it and see what happens.


I'm back in London home from the games where I finished 4th in the 200m. To say I am disappointed is an understatement. (Bridesmaid).  I am to be awarded a silver medal for the 4x400m at some point. I don't physically have it in my possession at the moment. This probably why I have no real emotion towards it. 


The 200m was my main event and basically I f'd it up by running the bend too hard and not getting the sling shot I had experienced in the rounds. The delays and cancellation of the final did not help. But, hey we were all in the same position. Its funny thinking back now. I had a conversation with Tony Hadley at dinner the night the final was cancelled. He asked me if I was ok. To which I replied 'Yeah'. He said he was worried I would come down from the nights experiences. At the time I thought ' yeah yeah Tony, your thinking way too much'. But, oh how right he was. (shrug its done now)

The 4x400 was a blur. I remember being ask if I was willing to run in the heat of the 4x400 while I was warming up for the 200m final. I batted a 'sure' reply not thinking much of it. Stay with the matter at hand the 200m final. I was aware previsions were being made for me to go straight to the call room from the finish line to meet the rest of the girls. 

So I finish 4th and yeah I'm down but thinking. 'damn they want me to run in the 4x400' The panic set in a) I have never ran a 4x400 relay in my life. b)Where am I supposed to stand? c)Where am I supposed to break? d) How the hard am I supposed to run this. But most of all damn my ass hurts and I cant walk am I really gonna make it round? 


The only thing that saved me was Physio Claire Lawrence and here fast thinking and magic hands. She basically tapped my ass with blue keniso tap. So I looked like I had 'Oprah Winfrey' knickers hanging out of my England red briefs. She also worked on the cramps that I was getting from the heat. 

The girls in the team were amazing. Not once did they doubt me (if they did they kept it hidden.  lol). They told me just get the baton round we will do the rest. And that if I dont run they wont make the final. (no pressure.  lol)


So I get my crash course on 4x400 from the girls and head out to the track. Im so not aware of what's going on. I'm leaning over the fence asking Katherine Merry how hard to go off. Her advise 'not to hard'. The last words said to me as I turn and am pointed to a blue line on the track. Kelly Massey (my room mate) running towards me. Next thing I know I have a baton in my hand and I'm looking for cones to break, Ahhhh yeah I see them. Ok cut into the inside. I remember some chick hitting me as she ran past me and then my looking down the straight for Nadine. Baton handed over job done. Now walk off the cramp and booty lock. My split was awful I aint gonna lie. But, hey 40mins after my 200m final and I didn't stop. They asked me to do it and I said yes there was no way I was going to let the other girls down.


The positives yes I get a medal and I'm sure in time I will look back and reflect. More 400s in the future? Yep Yep.  : )

I also got to go to the Taj Mahal which is on my bucket list. The Commonwealth Games people put on an amazing day for us. Secure Express Train. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.  It was amazing below I will share a few pics.


Actually the blog writting was not that bad. (Shrug)  : )

Quick Update

So that's it for this week
I raced twice trying to run the A standard for Europeans

Wednesday I raced in Patras, Greece
2nd in the 100 11.53 and I won the 200 23.33 (seasons best)

I then raced today in Uden, The Netherlands I won both the 100 and 200 11.57 and 23.36.

I'm happy with the week and did not have a massive drop which was expected after nationals.

Still smiling, still happy and still enjoying track and field.  Super8 and Gateshead next week

Jx

Oh by the way I  watched a must see movie this afternoon called ' Skin'. It gave me goose bumps and made my room mate cry.  If you get a minute check it out.

Its been a minute

Yeah I know its been a minute since I blog.
Well I've been racing and its been going hmmm.  But, now I think its all behind me
I'm currently at the European Teams Cup in Bergen, Norway where I will be running in the 4x100 tomorrow. I really looking forward to it.

Next weekend is Nationals where it really matters.

I will be sure to update on how it goes.

Manchester Street Race

I raced this weekend in Manchester at the street race. It was such a different experience track meet wise. I really enjoyed the experience. The race was pants so I'm onto the next one. I have a few points  (my start) I need to work on which I began today at practice.

I'm not going to be down or dwell on the race just move on and chalk it up as a bump in the road.



Below are some pictures that I took

Enjoy

On Your Marks

So my outdoor season officially started last week. I ran my first ever open 400m. Interesting to say the least. I woke up full of doom and worry but decided with myself that I would give it a committed effort. After all what ever I ran would be a PR nice way to start the outdoor season right? 55.07. The funny thing is I want to have another go and soon. As I had no real race plan out there in lane 8. Damn I got to 200 in 23.7. I was winning to 250 and then they came got me. No pace judgement Joicey. lol

This weekend I am in Dakar the flight was not the same as last year and it definitely took its toll on me. How is it a day after I compete my legs arrive. lol.  Last night I ran for place and whatever time I was given was what it was. 2nd in the 100 and 3rd in the 200. 

We are coming off a phase of training called pre-comp. Thats basically why I have not had much to say blog wise over the past weeks. Its just been plenty heavy slog sessions. Putting those deposits int he bank which I'm gonna be drawing on through this coming season.  

I have no real emotion about last nights race. Just a tick in the box and head back to Atlanta for my finally weeks before I get back to the domestic season in the UK.

I'm sitting here in the hotel waiting for my 2 AM flight. Just killing time. Should go outside but for some reason going to 'Isle de Goree" does not appeal in the slightest. Thats just one place I really don't want to see. 

Jx

Urrrrggh

If we don't discipline ourselves, the world will do it for us--------William Feather

The noise of the day.

I fell victim to the new false start rule today and got my ass DQ'd out of a race. Yeah yeah discipline is key.

Lesson learnt and onto the next one.

I also had a 100m indoors which I won in 11.56. New British Record indoors. So why am I not happy? Cause I wanted to run in the 60m

Good day at the office - Karlsruhe

The races went pretty well 2 seasons bests off the plan from the USA. I arrived in the UK on Thursday. 7.32 is the fastest I have ran in 3 years. Foot problems all gone. 

I had a busy day with 3 event in just over 3 hours.  Coach calls it a work out.  Lol

The warm up area was TINY. 101 bodies all over the place. With sprinters and hurdles trying to get there starts in.

In between rounds Ebonie and I assumed the 'Speed Dynamics' (that's the name of our training group) recovery position. 

I give myself a B+ for today.  Coach gave me the same but then went into technical things that I have to work on in the next race.

: )

The 4x100 was for fun

Results

60m Heat

RangAthletNationErgebnisReact.time


1WILLIAMS, AngelaUSA  7.38 Q0.160

2MADUAKA, JoiceGBR  7.39 Q0.170

3POPOWICZ, MarikaPOL  7.40 Q0.15

4WAGNER, MarionGER  7.41 q0.174

60m Final

RangAthletNationErgebnisReact.time


1JONES-FERRETTE, LaverneISV  7.11 0.176


2SOUMARE, MiryamFRA=PB  7.27 0.189


3FLOYD-BROADNAX, EbonieUSA  7.30 0.155


4MADUAKA, JoiceGBR  7.32 0.170


5WILLIAMS, AngelaUSA  7.35 0.169

200 

Rang	Athlet	Nation	Ergebnis	React.time
1	FLOYD-BROADNAX, Ebonie	USA	23.55	0.189
2	MADUAKA, Joice	GBR	23.66	0.192
3	MÖLLINGER, Anne	GER	23.92	0.190

Ebonie and Dwight from my training group were also at this meet

Dwight decided to get his sprint on and ran the 60m at this meet. He did good 6.72 for 2nd in his heat and 6.74 in the final. Ebonie ran 7.30 for 3rd in the 60 and 23.55 for 2nd over all in the 200m. 

And onto the next race.....