As you may know 2013 was a very special year for me. I see this past year as my real breakthrough season and am very much looking forward to improving this in the coming season!
It was a huge honour to have been voted the Sussex Sports Personality and for my previous coach Steve King to have received Coach of the year made the evening extra special.! This year the awards ceremony was held at the Brighton Grand Hotel. It was an evening of glitz and glamour to celebrate the achievements of the county's most talented sportsmen and women, volunteers and coaches. Active Sussex once again did a fantastic job. We had a huge table with my family, friends and everyone who has been a major support throughout my carrer so far!
It turns out it was a very memorable night with a double win! Steve King who has dedicated so much of his time coaching not just me but many top athletes, finally gets the recognition he deserves!
I am delighted to have won this award and to finish my 2013 season on a high! For me and Steve to share another moment together was very fitting!
See my interview http://vimeo.com/81349411
http://www.activesussex.org/sportsawards/sussex-sports-awards-2013
I headed home for Christmas on the 20th of December. I have loved every bit of the last few months training and living in my new home in Bath, but I was so looking forward to heading back, seeing my family and friends, not forgetting my mums roasts and hot baths!!
Of course training does not stop over the Xmas period, so training moved from the luxury of the indoors in Bath to a very, very, very windy Eastbourne track! It is possibly the windiest track in the country but at the same time it is nice to be training where it all started! Brings back strange memories - high jumping, school sports days, long distance running etc! How things have changed! My Dad came down to the track to watch and keep me company the other day. He has been a huge driving force throughout the years and being back down the track reminds me of being a fourteen year old and my dad patiently coaching me!
I must say it is disappointing to see the lack of Athletes down the track training. I was down the track every other day and have only seen 3 other athletes once down there. Hopefully more athletes can be inspired to take up athletics. If there is any young athletes who read this blog, remember, just because it is Christmas it does not mean your training stops. If you want to reach your full potential then you must commit and put the hard work down on the track, you have to want it!
I have very much enjoyed my time in Eastbourne, and it will be sad leaving loved ones, but I cannot wait to get back to training in Bath again. I have missed my group and am looking forward to getting back to normal training! When I get back my coach, James and I, will be going through what indoor competitions we want to do this year. We are not focusing on indoors but will be nice to break up the training and have a blast out! Talking about training, see http://www.athleticsweekly.com/coaching/how-they-train-seb-rodger/ where Athletics Weekly have an article of my training schedule in Bath. Same article appeared in the AW December 5th issue.
A huge, huge thanks to my team for their support in the past year - my family, friends, physios, and of course Steve King. He may not be my track side coach but we have been through so much together he will always be a key part of my team!
I wish everyone the best of luck in 2014. 2013 will never be forgotten but this year is time to step it up again! Watch this space!
Many thanks all!
