17 May 2010
This weekend former Bolton School pupil Siân Pledger attended a
sprint workshop with several athletic superstars. This was after
her 2nd place positioning in a national 60m street race
back in September as part of Darren Campbell and Linford Christie's
Street Athletics initiative.
Siân flew back to Manchester for the workshop from Malta where
she now trains full time as an athlete. This was an opportunity she
couldn't miss out on as it's her dream to become a professional
athlete.
On Friday the day started with an introduction from Darren
Campbell and Linford Christie to all the stars present: Tyson Gay,
Debbie Ferguson McKenzie, Kim Collins, Shawn Crawford, Felix
Sanchez and Terrence Trammell. This wide variety of stars was a
lovely surprise for Siân as she only expected Tyson and Debbie to
be there.
Siân, along with other National Street Race winners enjoyed
special personal coaching from all the stars in their various
specialities. Tyson focused on competition warm up and basic
plyometrics whilst Terrence and Felix put her through her paces
with hurdling coaching and Shawn, Debbie and Kim focused on block
starts and technique.
The workshop offered a golden opportunity not only to spend time
with her heroes but to also improve her technique and ask questions
to further her own development.
On Friday evening Siân attended a meal at the Malmaison with
Linford, Darren, Katharine Merry and Iwan Thomas. She had the
honour of sitting next to Iwan as they talked the night away. There
were many group discussions and funny stories about the stars'
careers ranging from whether it's quicker to run straight or with a
bend to more trivial topics such as favourite foods and
beaches!
On Saturday after a big breakfast and Linford had strapped
Siân's ankle as she had a slight injury she headed off to the
specially laid track on Deansgate ready to race. With the track on
a raised platform and amongst the shops it was definitely a
different kind of race to what she is used to. The fact that the
150m distance was straight added to the event.
Siân thoroughly enjoyed her chance to spend time with the
athletic legends and felt she learnt a lot whilst having many
giggles along the way too.
Sian found spending time with the stars and watching them
compete live to be very inspiring: especially when Tyson
broke Tommie Smith's 44 year record for the straight 200m in a time
of 19.41.
Siân's taster of life as a professional athlete has fuelled her
hunger and ambitions to achieve her own Olympic dreams. She is now
looking forward to competing this season for her English club,
Bolton United Harriers, in the Northern and England
Championships.