To qualify for these championships you have to have reached the qualifying standards for each events you want to take part in. You can’t just turn up or brown nose your way in.
Emily has reached the relevant standards in all 4 of her main events this year , 100m , 200m, long jump and the shot put. An outstanding achievement.
On Saturday Emily had the shot put and 100m. After setting off early 515am we got to Bedford in plenty of time to register and collect her numbers and get her shot put weighed. Everything ok.
Her shot put and 100m were very close together time wise, the shot was 1215 and 100m was 1225. After sending and receiving emails all week we came to a compromise that as track takes president over field Emily would be doing her 100m first at the agreed time then head straight to the other end of Stadium to compete in the shot put.
So onto warm for the 100m . As we finished warm up an official from call up came to us saying the shot put was being brought forward (12oclock) and Emily was required at other end of stadium now. So after a slight word and no shot put warm up to speak of we headed to the shot put.
We were told the 100m would be going ahead as planned so we could shoot across when required. Emily did the business with the first 5 throws all going well over the 8m mark a new PB of 8.73m. Then with one throw to go we had to go to 100m start.
Emily did the race and finished 3rd to claim a bronze medal. Thanks to Malcom Dewall for waiting to start for us.
Emily declined to complete her 6th throw but won a fantastic gold medal . 2 events on the first day , a gold medal with a big PB and a bronze medal. A great start .
We popped across to our hotel for lunch then had a walk around the country park filled by food a few drinks later on .
Sunday was slightly different. Emily was feeling ill and didn’t particularly want to compete but we had come a long way and she had done the hard work to get there so decided to give it a go.
Long jump was filled by the 200m and Emily won a silver medal in both events.
Emily is wrecked now. But s in a s great weekend for her .
It was great to meet new friends and also to cheer on a few other Gateshead Harriers who had also made the standards.
Next for Emily is 2 weeks in the sun. Cheers
