European athletics season 2017

Diary:  European season 2017

It’s always a pleasure and blessing to have the opportunity to compete in the European circuit. Athletics in Europe is appreciated on a level that athletes hardly experience in SA. It doesn’t matter if you a World/Olympic champ in Europe the crowd always show appreciation for our craft.

This year I’m back at the training base in Gemona Italy, where we wake up to the beautiful view of the sun rising behind the mountains. Currently with me in camp are the following athletes Wayde Van Niekerk, Akani Simbine, Dylon Cotter, Lindsey Hanekom, Lydia Jele, Tamzin Thomas, Constant, Rudi Erasmus, Dumisani, Antonio Alkana, Rushwell Samaai and a few more athletes as well as coaches. BTW congrats to Wayde for his achievement in the 300m earlier this week.

Alyssa Conley and other SA athletes are currently training and participating in Europe.

The atmosphere in camp is super chilled, the track and gym is in walking distance from Hotel Willy where we are comfortably hosted. All the athletes get along very well and we have training sessions together once in a while.

My first race was in Slovenia where I ran the 200m unfortunately I was disqualified because I ran out of my lane around the bend , yes after 17 years of racing this happens. I was a little frustrated with myself but I laughed it off my coach, family and friends and moved on. I haven’t raced much this year as we looking to peak at World Championships that’s being held in London in August and I believe we on par with the plan however there is always the dreaded qualification cut off and this year ASA has really pushed it in some of the standards. I mean the IAAF standard for the 200m is 23.1 and the ASA standard is 22.65 so that does play at the back of my mind but I’m sticking to my plan, running my race and execution will follow.

My upcoming events includes:

Budapest 4^th July 100m

Luzern 11^th July 100/200m

Padova 16^th July 100/200m

I’m looking forward to ending the season on a high and running PB’s in both the 100m and 200m in my upcoming events.

By God’s Grace

Alyssa