by Toni Minichiello

Jessica's Coach

Setting a new winter training programme has its own challenges for both coach and athlete, the truth is “what got Jessica here won’t get her there”.

A different athlete has started winter training taking the first 4 weeks worth of steps to the Beijing Olympics. This time the athlete is full-time and for the first-time in her athletic career is unhindered by university or school study.

The luxury of being a “professional athlete” has brought about a training regime that sees Jessica training twice a day, completing a 30 hour weekly training schedule. However she still gets 1 day off a week.

The need for change and update within an athlete’s routine is critical if progression is to be maintained. As a Coach it’s my role to put together a plan that deals with deficiencies while enhancing the undoubted abilities Jessica has already shown.

The weaknesses are clear (the throws) and these are receiving close attention, while other events are going through an overhaul. Trying to put in this amount of change may take time before coming to fruition, so Jessica’s Indoor season will not be an extensive one.

Change is good, but too much change is often difficult to manage, this week is test week, so the first indicators of progress should show themselves. 285 training days left, click on to see how they unfold. 

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