Hello all

Our fitness coach called April “Specific preparation phase 1- obtaining running work capacity”.  It turns out that this translates to ‘run until you are in pain, and then keep on running until I tell you to stop’.  Not a month I’ll look back on with affection, but none the less crucial preparation for the Games.

We spent three weeks on camps down at Bisham Abbey and had one week based at home.  The week at home looked great on paper, but it was actually the hardest training week with two extra sessions to make sure that you definitely didn’t have enough time to become reacquainted with friends and family.

I’m not complaining but when you are away so much and then home for a whole week most people assume that you should be able to meet up, work more, spend more time at home, and catch up.  Unfortunately this is rarely the case and luckily I have a very understanding fiancée, friends, family, and employer.

One week left of “Specific preparation phase 1” and then we are beginning to play some games again.  We leave for Germany on May 6th for three tests against the current World Champions, who just qualified for the Olympics this month.  All 12 teams have now qualified for Beijing and the two pools have been selected as follows:

Pool A  
Germany (1)
Spain (4)
South Korea (5)
New Zealand (10)
Belgium (12)
China (17)

Pool B
Australia (2)
Netherlands (3)
Pakistan (6)
Great Britain (8)
South Africa (13)
Canada (15)

Our pool is challenging with 6 top sides, 3 of which (Australia, Netherlands and Pakistan) are ranked above us.  We are all fully focused on performing to our potential at the games, and now that the pools have been announced it all seems to become more real.  Only 51 days until selection and 99 days until the opening ceremony!!#

Cheers

Graham

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