WRITTEN FOR THE SAINSBURY’S BRITISH ATHLETICS GLASGOW GRAND PRIX/IAAF DIAMOND LEAGUE EVENT PROGRAMME
Two months ago, British pole vault record holder, Holly Bleasdale had to make the hardest decision of her athletic career – choosing to forego the entire summer season in order to rectify the injury problems which hindered her during both the 2013 outdoor and the 2014 indoor campaign – and she told Nicola Bamford that she is confident the tough choice will help her to reap the rewards in the long-term.
The 22-year-old Blackburn Harrier was forced to tolerate both lower back and Achilles problems throughout the summer and winter, and as a consequence missed August’s IAAF World Championships in Moscow.
Despite winning the British Athletics International Match in Glasgow in January, the British Athletics Indoor Championships in Sheffield in February and the British Athletics Grand Prix in Birmingham a week later, Bleasdale’s season’s best of only 4.73m and her ninth place finish at March’s IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland contributed to her May announcement on her outdoor absence.
Guided by Scott Simpson at the National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff, the 2012 IAAF World indoor bronze medallist’s decision did not come lightly, knowing that she would have to miss July’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the European Championships in Zurich in August, but the Lancashire athlete is patient and has her future prominently in mind.
“It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make as I could probably still vault 4.70m and medal at both the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, but I don’t want to be limited at that height – I know I can jump 5-meters plus,” the Olympic sixth placer revealed.
“The main aim at the forefront of my mind is winning medals in Beijing (the 2015 IAAF World Championships), Rio (the 2016 Olympics) and London (the 2017 IAAF World Championships) so I’ve made this sacrifice in order to come back to achieve those goals – I’m not willing to take the risk.
“There’s no rush, I’ve got all of the time in the world. Other athletes have made the mistake of pushing through injuries but I don’t want to just deal with it and allow it to get worse over time.”
‘Precautionary’
Having enjoyed the position of British number one both indoors and out for the past years, the 2013 European indoor champion – who trains alongside Sally Peake, the woman who claimed the 2013 British Athletics title during Bleasdale’s time off last year – is understandably determined to make amends for a frustrating twelve months.
Following her continental indoor victory in Gothenburg in March last year – which was her first major international senior title – the 2011 European under 23 champion competed on only three occasions during the summer, with a best of only 4.60m and so withdrew her participation from the global championships in the Russian capital.
“The doctor made me realise that the back injury could end up being serious especially as doing the pole vault is so strenuous and I could have ended up in a far worse position,” Bleasdale explained.
“The problem’s quite common in pole vaulters due to the hyper-extension of the back.”
With a strong support system in place, the 2010 IAAF World junior bronze medallist – who is studying sports science part-time on a distance-learning course – is certain that her reluctant step back will assist her leap forward in the coming seasons:
“It was so frustrating knowing I was in good shape during the indoors but wasn’t able to show it,” she said.
“I made the decision with Neil Black (the UK Athletics Performance Director), my coach and my family – it was the best decision and I’m only 22 so I hope I’ve got another 10 years in the sport, a lot of vaulters peak in their early 30’s so I still want to be jumping 5-meters plus then.
“The Achilles was totally healed ages ago – having time off is just precautionary for my back and I’m trying to be sensible by not doing too much or getting carried away after a couple of intense years.”
Offering an insight into her typical day in rehab, Bleasdale revealed:
“A typical day would consist of some physiotherapy after breakfast to make sure all is fine before doing some rehab and conditioning work.
“I’ve kept up my general training and I hope to do short sprinting in late August. I’m working on some technique changes in my drills so the problems don’t occur again – making changes is never easy.
“About 10 times a month, I’ll travel to Rugby to use the hyperbaric chamber for 2.5 hours – the chamber helps the body to heal quicker by pumping more oxygen into the room and occasionally, Andy Pozzi, Nathan Woodward and I will play cards in there.
“When in Rugby, I’ll stay for a couple of days and British Athletics will pay for me to stay in a hotel – lots of athletes stay there so it’s nice to be able to see them and for us all to have dinner together.
“Then in the evening, I’ll relax in my hot-tub in my garden, it’s great to relax the muscles and then maybe I’ll do some revision.”
‘Grateful for Support’
Third on the world indoor all-time list with her impressive 4.87m clearance from 2012, the six-time British champion is full of praise for the British Athletics-funded support network on offer at such a testing time:
“Neil’s been really supportive in our decision and came all the way to Cardiff to help us decide what was best,” she explained.
“My sports psychologist, Robin Chakraverpi is very helpful and British Athletics have given me the best possible recovery opportunities – they also employ my physiotherapist, Liba Sheeran.
“I was feeling quite down, not knowing what to do at first but now, I think of positive things to do with my time as I don’t want to waste these months.
“I’m ever so grateful for the support of British Athletics and also for my sponsors, Nike, Sky and Subway for standing by me.”
Bleasdale’s short-term competitive aim is to retain her European indoor crown, whilst longer-term, she is keen to return to big heights and world medals:
“Prague (the 2015 European indoor Championships)’s my next major aim – I want to try to defend my title a best as I can, it’s a big event I’m working towards and I’ll put my all into every competition as I’m really hungry now,” she said.
“I’ve won a medal in every single year since 2010 so I’ve proven myself as a championship performer – I’m happy with how things are going and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”
Bleasdale’s six to watch in Glasgow
She may be out of competitive action this summer, but Bleasdale has offered her top tips on which athletes to watch out for at the British Athletics Glasgow Grand Prix –
“I’m excited to see Renaud (Lavillenie) in the pole vault – he’s in great form at the minute, just looking for good conditions so hopefully Glasgow will be the one.
“Aries Merritt doesn’t really race much but I’m looking forward to seeing him race – he has no pressure on him this season with no major championships for the Americans so hopefully that could bring out a good performance.
“Mo (Farah) should be exciting to watch and there will hopefully be a showdown in the men’s 100m between Yohan (Blake) and some Brits like (Adam) Gemili and Chijindu (Ujah).”
