Two Golds for England!

Most of us of us can only aspire to represent our country; 16 year old Katie Snowden has done it twice already – winning two gold medals for England in the U17 800m and 300m relay at the SIAB Athletics Competitions in Glasgow on 17 July 2010, to add to the two she won in 2009.

It’s not just a question of physical training. Racing is a powerful mind game, as Katie knows only too well. Beaten into 2nd place by her rival, Georgia Peel, at the English Schools’ Competition just 2 weeks before the SIAB international race, she might well have given up on her chances and contented herself with past achievements. Let’s face it, winning two gold medals for England in the same races last year is enough to be proud of.

Wasn’t it hard going into such a big race against someone who’d just beaten you? ‘Yes,’ said Katie, ‘but I listened to my Herne Hill Harriers coach, James McDonald. He told me to focus on my own race and not to think about others’. Wise words, as it turns out. What went ‘wrong’ in the English Schools’ Athletics? Katie explained, ‘I like to do the first lap fast and to go slower for the 2nd. But Georgia knows how I race and changed her tactics, going slower at first. I went along with her pace and then couldn’t get the speed when I needed to.’ James was right; with his words ringing in her ears she blocked out what others were doing and followed her own instinct. Gold for Katie, silver for a girl from S Ireland, and Georgia won the bronze medal. No records this time – it was too windy. The England coaches were very supportive and the team were delighted that England won overall. A fantastic achievement.

Katie can put some of her success down to keeping her training in perspective: far from the brutal daily slog some of the élite squad of her age endure, Katie’s eminently sensible regime in term time includes 2 to 3 training sessions on the track, mostly repetitions, and 2 long runs a week of about 45 mins to 1 hour round either Tooting, Streatham or other local commons, and her club takes everyone to run in Richmond Park. ‘That’s nice,’ says Katie, with a smile. What about practising starts? ‘No’. Or passing the baton? Katie laughs, ‘We probably should have done that a bit more. The relay team went out about 30 minutes before the race. I was running the 1st leg so it didn’t matter too much.’

In case you’re interested, there’s no special diet for under 18s even at this level; it doesn’t make much difference to your performance what you eat. Katie’s race was at 1.30pm so stoking up with a big breakfast of cereal and toast was good. Lovers of Jaffa cakes will be pleased to know that she demolished a pack and some sandwiches after the 800m and before her 300m relay. Whatever works for you, Katie!

The crosscountry season is on the horizon but there’s one more big event to look forward to: Sainsbury’s UK School games in NE England from 2-5th September. Good luck Katie! Carry on enjoying the experience.

Alison Venn