Track and Field Blogs - Alistair Cragg

Ok so the debate here has been the heat. Kim Smith finds it funny that I feel this isnÂ’t as warm as we had it in Arkansas, and although I agree its really humid here I feel its far better running conditions. Today will be my test, 8x400m @ 58.5 with a 90sec recovery. ThatÂ’s not a tough workout but if the weather does affect me I should feel it creeping in during the recoveries. So I will get back to you about that one! I am really feeling good at the moment, all my runs have felt smooth and my legs have had some pop which excites me. I doubt I have ever been this ready for any form of a championship, so going into my last week of training I feel like I may have the tools and the form to do something magical in that final.
The great thing I have here in my team's allocated hotel is I am surrounded by familiar faces, people like Nick Willis, Mark Fountain, Kim Smith, Sara Jamison, and my Irish girls Mary and Roisin. ItÂ’s great to feel a part of the championships like the good old days in the NCAA instead of looking around at all the big names worried about weather or not I can run with them. This is all feeling very natural and I am loving every moment of it.
Japan itself is a great place, but the people are very different to anywhere else that I have traveled to. They show huge amounts of respect for anyone and amazing amounts of discipline. They seem glad to help or go out of their way to make you feel special. ItÂ’s hard to understand this way of living but I admire them for following this order.
Just on the side note, did anyone read the article about Kenenise Bekele and his encounter with the lioness? Hat's off to you sir...that blurb on Mottram is priceless!