Follow Richard’s progress as he prepares for the Paralympics at www.marathonchamp.com

Check out the video below:

Both were named after putting in world class performances at both Paralympic swimming trials, at London in March and Sheffield in April. Ollie and Charlotte, who swim at the Nova Centurion swim squad in Mansfield under the guidance of coach Glenn Smith, will now be working hard to prepare for the Paralympics over the coming weeks and months.

Making the lists is a great achievement for both swimmers, who performed well at trials. Highlights included a world leading time in 2012 of 4.28.62 for Ollie in the 400m Freestyle and a 1.42.54 for Charlotte in the 100m Breaststroke, which places her inside the world top 3. According to the announcements made by Paralympics GB and British swimming, Ollie is on a list of athletes whose nomination has been confirmed. Charlotte is on the list of those athletes whose nomination has been accepted, subject to IPC Swimming confirming the final slot allocation in June. Following the announcement, coach Glenn Smith said:

“Both Ollie and Charlotte have worked incredibly hard with myself at Nova, alongside their technical coach Jill Barlow to get to this point. I am happy that they have been named on the lists after successful performances at both trials and look forward to preparing for the Paralympic Games with them”

Agent Chris Whitaker added:

“I am delighted for Ollie and Charlotte, whose efforts during both Paralympic swimming trials have been recognised. The support of Ollie and Charlotte from their coaching and technical staff, to the community as a whole has also been brilliant. To have made the lists is a massive achievement.” 

Charlotte and Ollie’s strength and conditioning training is provided by Tim Stevenson at Kinetic Three Sixty. 

Like all training methods used by Kinetic Three Sixty it’s important that we recognise and understand what physical adapation or performance benefit we can expect to gain by using a given training ‘tool’. This article from Core Performance lays some more information about vibration training along with some referenced research which shows both positive and negative findings.

However much of the information seems to be inconclusive so we want to know what your experience is of using vibration equipment and whether you think it works and what benefits you might have gained?

Please leave your comments below and let us know what you think.

We might be biased but our recommendation is the East Midlands edition featuring Kinetic Three Sixty athlete Richard Whitehead.

Just click the link below to watch him talk about his background, training and ambitions for 2012. We even set the link up to start at the beginning of Richard’s segment!

Watch BBC East Midlands Olympic Dreams

It’s been quite a year for Richard which started in February at the IPC World Athletics Championships where he produced one of the performances of the competition to win the T42 200m. Still the reigning amputee marathon and half marathon world record holder, Richard added to his list of world best times by breaking the 200m record in June.

Read the full article here ‘London 2012 is likely to be a golden year for Team GB’

Richard Whitehead’s strength and conditioning coach Tim Stevenson added ‘It has been a fantastic year for Rich on the track and he has truly established himself as one of the best athletes in the world. To become a world champion sprinter within 12 months of breaking his own marathon world record is incredible.’

‘Whilst Ade has singled out Richard, the Paralympic world should also be watching swimmers Charlotte Henshaw and Ollie Hynd who are set to compete in what promise to be some of the most exciting and competitive races of the 2012 Paralympic Games, and both are focused hard on achieving success.’

With Channel 4 being the leading media voice in Paralympic Sports they met with Ollie to find out more about this up and coming swimmer aiming for success in London.

What’s the highlight of your career so far?
“It’d have to be winning gold in the SM8 200m Medley at the 2011 IPC Swimming European Championships in Berlin. It was amazing. Hopefully, I can make some improvements and go even faster at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”

Read the full Channel 4 Interview with Oliver Hynd

Ollie Hynd, Charlotte Henshaw and coach Glenn Smith

This is the first major competition of the Paralympic Season, and swimmers were looking to see how their preparations are going prior to the Paralympic Trials in March which are now less than a 100 days away.

Ollie Hynd took an impressive 2 Gold, 2 silver and 1 Bronze in his S8 Category. The Golds in the S8 Category 400m Freestyle, and SM8 200 Ind Medley, swimming the fastest short course times in the World this year.

Charlotte Henshaw, had another battle with Paralympic rival Liz Johnson in the Womens SB6 100m Breaststroke, to just get touched out for the Gold but the time showed she is on track to be ready for the main battle at the trials in 97 days.

Andrew Zawadzki took 1 Gold , 1 Silver and 1 Bronze in the S14 Category. The Gold coming in the Mens 400m Freestyle.

” Coach Glenn Smith said Preparations are going well and this weekends performances show that Ollie, Charlotte and Andrew are on track to perform well in London in March”. At present its difficult to think beyond that and our focus has to be on the British Championships.

Tim Stevenson owner of Kinetic Three Sixty and strength and conditioning coach to Charlotte and Ollie added “I’m really pleased to see the hard work Charlotte and Ollie are putting into their training is paying off. The focus at the moment is the qualification event in March and on this weekend’s performance it’s going to be an exciting few months.”

Martin Yelling is a regular contributor to Running Fitness and also produces the popular podcast ‘Marathon Talk’. Recruiting a number of ‘experts’ Martin has developed an article on how runners can maximise their winter training and asked Tim to give some advice on strength and conditioning training.

At Kinetic Three Sixty we utilise an integrated approach to training and this is as significant to runners as any athlete. Tim wanted to give an  insight to this type of training and he suggested 6 exercises which introduce an integrated training program.

“An effective running specific strength and conditioning program should follow an integrated approach. This means the program aims to develop and enhance all the components required to prevent injury and increase your performance potential.

An integrated program will improve and maintain good postural control through the use of flexibility, core and balance training. Runners also need to better their ability to handle the constant reduction and production of force required in running. This can be done using plyometric and strength training which results in advancements in efficiency and economy”. 

Runners Fitness is on sale now so if you’re a runner looking to maximise your training over the winter grab a copy of the magazine or contact us to find out how we can support your training.

“After training, practice, or competition, the body is left dehydrated, drained of fuel, and broken down.  The body is in a stressed state, and the proper blend of nutrients can jumpstart the body’s recovery process to help you come back stronger and healthier.” Amanda Carlson-Phillips October 19, 2009

Guidance on recovery nutrition can be summarised by the 3 R’s:

• Refuel
• Rebuild
• Rehydrate

Whether you opt for recovery snack, meals or shakes to ensure you get what you need, look to follow the four simple guidelines below:

1. Restore fluid and electrolytes lost in sweat. Weigh before and after exercise, then replenish what was lost.
2. Replace muscle fuel (carbs) utilised during practice or competition.
3. Provide protein to aid in the repair of damaged muscle tissue and to promote the growth of new tissue.
4. Begin your recovery nutrition program with a snack, meal or shake within 15 to 60  minutes following practice or competition.

Since the IPC’s decision not to let Richard compete in the marathon at London 2012 this talented athlete has switched his attention to the sprint events. After being selected to represent Great Britain at the IPC World Athletics Championships in New Zealand in January 2011, Richard destroyed the competition to win the T42 200m race.

Richard’s strength and conditioning training has been provided by Tim Stevenson, lead coach at Kinetic Three Sixty, since May 2009 and we are excited about supporting him all the way to 2012 and beyond.