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    Juniors Athlete of the Month - Jan 2001

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     Athlete of the Month - Jan 2001 - Feb 2001 - Apr 2001 - May 2001 - July 2001
     
    January 2001 - Sue Edwards
     
    Our first Athlete of the Month Sue Edwards has been a member of the club since 1997. She is in her final year of GCSE's & has this year earned her first Welsh School's vest, competing for Welsh Schools in a match against England in Blackpool.
     

     

     

     

    Sue Edwards (on this side), receiving her Silver medal at the Welsh Schools in the 2000 Summer season.

    Favorite event : My Favorite event, ever since I tried it 4 years ago has been hurdles. After winning my first few races I knew that I had found an event that I was naturally good at, and enjoyed. This year I've also tried 300 metre hurdles in addition to what I normally do - 80 metre hurdles. Although I am better at 300 metres it is very tough, so at the moment I prefer sprint hurdles.
     
    Most hated event: I have lots, anything that is over 400 metres long I am never entered for, because I have the stamina of an asthmatic ant, my arms are also pretty weedy and I have no idea what to do in throwing events so I guess Javelin and Hammer are no goes too!!
    What is your best athletic achievement: Last season (Summer 2000) I represented Wales in the Schools International Athletics Meeting in Blackpool. I felt very proud to be performing at this level, and just wearing my countries colours made me feel that I had achieved something really worth while.
     
    Biggest disappointment: Thankfully I haven't really had any disappointments in my life so far I think it is because I set my targets very high and I work for it, if I don't get what I want it is because I didn't produce the goods on the day and in the long run c'est la vie!! However their was one occasion in particular, the last race of the season when I was in the under 15s. It was my last chance to get a good time, but I had been to a party the night before (big mistake). I was very tired and ran terribly, all I remember was crying in a corner and not talking to anyone, impatient to get home to a warm bath. I've learnt my lesson since, no more parties before competing!!
     

     


    Sue in her well earned Welsh kit, sporting the two medals she earned representing her country

     
    Who is your sporting hero: Probably Gail Devers, ever since I saw her on TV in the Barcelona Olympics with her amazing nails I've found her an inspiration to younger athletes. Later I found out the reason for her growing her nails so long, which made me respect her even more, for her dedication and courage. The story goes, that, half way through her athletic career she was told that she had a life threatening disease ( I forget what). One of the symptoms of this disease is flaking nails. Gail was determined to fight her illness and to prove to herself that she could overcome this hurdle (ha ha) she grew her fingernails very, very long indeed and therefore had to start her races on her knuckles. She is now fully recovered!!
     
    Favorite food: Pasta, in any shape or size!! (It might be because of my Italian blood.)
     
    Most hated food: Cucumbers, they make me feel really sick.
     
    Favorite Group/Artist: Queen, I think Freddie Mercury has the most melodious voice ever, and I can't leave out The Beetles who are just...brilliant... (sorry my taste in music is a bit ancient)!! I have to say Mike Oldfield too otherwise my coach may never talk to me again!!
     
    Favorite TV program: I love comedies anything that makes me laugh gets a big thumbs up but I couldn't say that I have a specific Favorite
     
    Favorite Film: It has to be City Of Angels I've never cried so much in a film.
     
    What is your ambition: To carry on enjoying life and to stay healthy. I'd love to represent Wales again but I would never want to be a professional athlete, I'd much prefer to be a reporter, travelling the World!!
     
    What do you think about Olympians: Olympians is one of the best things I have ever been involved in. I love the people, and I love doing athletics and having fun. I think that this is one of Olympians strong points - you can never go home feeling that you hate athletics and never want to do it again. I can't think of any other reasons why I'm still there really except that I love it.
     
    What would you like to see change: I would love to see more people join Olympians to train and to coach. I would also love to get heaps of money so that Park Hall (our track) could have a proper tartan surface, the benefits would be endless. Most of all I would like all athletes and coaches to enjoy what they are doing, give it their best shot and achieve for themselves, I hate it when I see athletes being forced by their parents or coaches to do something that they really don't want to do, all the fun of athletics is then completely forgotten about and competing and training just seems to be too much effort! "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" as Gary Keating says.
     
    Training programme: I usually train three times a week but in a busy week I can only manage twice a week, and when an extra training day is available ( eg I have 5 sessions, one a month, in Stoke that I go to which is specifically for hurdle training) I train up to 4 times a week. In the Winter I do circuit training for an hour on Tuesdays, Hurdles for an hour followed by an hour of weight training on Thursdays (both these sessions are indoors), and Interval training on a Saturday (lots of nice running up hills)!! I won't lie and say that it's all easy but if you want to do well for yourself it is all worth while when you win a race or two, or more!! In the Summer the training is less strenuous because there are more competitions, and the training is all on the track. I work on my technique and speed at this time and might do a few fun sessions of high jump and long jump as well.
    Athlete of the Month - Jan 2001 - Feb 2001 - Apr 2001 - May 2001 - July 2001

    Juniors Entry Page - Junior Olympians - Junior Club History
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