Craig Pickering

[SprintFan]

Hello white lightning I just read almost the whole thread and am very interested in Craig's performances and I want to learn from him as much as i can...please keep us updated on his performances and his training if u can....keep in touch
Edited by: SprintFan

 

[white lightning]

No problem my friend. We are huge fans of Craigs here at this message board. So I'm guessing your a sprinter in training? How old and you, how long have you been running and what kinds of times are you putting up?

Welcome to the board SprintFan. Feel free to join in the discussion. Will keep you posted on Craig. You usually find the news here faster than just about any other source.

 

[albinosprint]

welcome SprintFan! feel free to ask any question you might have about sprinting. there are plenty of us here that will help.

 

[SprintFan]

I played football in Romania but had to stop it because of repeated knee injuries and now I am a football referee and to promote i need to beat other guys in the whole country in terms of speed. The distances are 50m(I run like 6.2 HT) and I must get under 6sec....200m(I run like 25sec) must get under 24sec and cooper test( in 12min must run over 3300m)....I know my times are very low for you guys but I am just learning about sprinting and was injured all the time now I have knee ligament stretch(2 month recovery). We will speak more after tomorrow because now im on the run.....SORRY FOR MY ENGLISH ITS NOT M YNATIVE LANGUAGE

 

[white lightning]

Well guys, his season has been a total wash. He hasn't run this slow since he was around 17 or 18 years of age. He is consistant but can't get out of the 10.40 range. I wish I could see the race to see how he is running. He had another horrible start as well. The second slowest reaction time. I would be willing to bet that he is running tight most of the time. He is overthinking, and trying to hard which is slowing him down. The number one key to sprinting is the ability to stay relaxed. If you tense or tighten up, you slow yourself down. There again, a good coach would have figured this out a long time ago. Here is the results.


<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=780>
<T>
<TR>
<TD =#efd9d9>:42 - 100 METRES - Men</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>OFFICIAL RESULTS</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD align=right>Wind: 0.1 m/s</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD colSpan=2></TD></TR>
<TR>
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</TD></TR></T></TABLE>
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=780>
<T>
<TR vAlign=line>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>1</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=left>Trell KIMMONS</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right><NOBR>MANC<OBR></TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right><NOBR>10.22<OBR></TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>0.157</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>25</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>

</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TR vAlign=line>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>2</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=left>Mark LEWIS-FRANCIS</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right><NOBR>BHAM<OBR></TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right><NOBR>10.35<OBR></TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>0.141</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>22</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>

</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TR vAlign=line>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>3</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=left>Kim COLLINS</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right><NOBR>SHEFF<OBR></TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right><NOBR>10.40<OBR></TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>0.212</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>19</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>

</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TR vAlign=line>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>4</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=left>Craig PICKERING</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right><NOBR>PLYM<OBR></TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right><NOBR>10.40<OBR></TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>0.190</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>16</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>

</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TR vAlign=line>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>5</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=left>Nick SMITH</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right><NOBR>GLAS<OBR></TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right><NOBR>10.43<OBR></TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>0.163</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>SB</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>13</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>

</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TR vAlign=line>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>6</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=left>Christian MALCOLM</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right><NOBR>CARD<OBR></TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right><NOBR>10.51<OBR></TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>0.157</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>10</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>

</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TR vAlign=line>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>7</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=left>Tremayne GILLING</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right><NOBR>LOND<OBR></TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right><NOBR>10.59<OBR></TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>0.137</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=right>7</TD>
<TD =#ffffff align=middle>

</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TR vAlign=line>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>8</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=left>George KENYON</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right><NOBR>GATES<OBR></TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right><NOBR>10.92<OBR></TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>0.182</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>

</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=right>4</TD>
<TD =#efd9d9 align=middle>

</TD></TR>
<TR></TR></T></TABLE>

 

[SprintFan]

Sad to hear this, anyway I still believe in him and am sure that something went wrong in the pre season because in my oppinion he looks like he put on some weight in the upper body maybe I am wrong....he is still young I am sure he will be back in his best form or at least i hope so because he was and still is one of the best white prospects

 

[Neo]

<H1>Aviva British Grand Prix</H1>
<H2>Results 100m Men Heat A</H2>

<TABLE id=mytable cellSpacing=0 ="rank_table"><T><T>
<T>
<TR ="gridview_er">
<TH width=40>Rank</TH>
<TH width=178>Athlete</TH>
<TH width=70>Nation</TH>
<TH width=90 colSpan=2>Result</TH>
<TH width=70>Reaction time</TH></TR></T><T>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>1</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>GAY,Tyson</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>USA</TD>
<TD width=20>
<DIV align=left>9.96</TD>
<TD width=30>
<DIV align=left></TD>
<TD ="transparent_">
<DIV align=left>0.129</TD></TR>
<TR ="alt">
<TD>
<DIV align=left>2</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>NDURE,Jaysuma Saidy</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>NOR</TD>
<TD width=20>
<DIV align=left>10.15</TD>
<TD width=30>
<DIV align=left></TD>
<TD ="transparent_">
<DIV align=left>0.107</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>3</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>FRATER,Michael</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>JAM</TD>
<TD width=20>
<DIV align=left>10.28</TD>
<TD width=30>
<DIV align=left></TD>
<TD ="transparent_">
<DIV align=left>0.151</TD></TR>
<TR ="alt">
<TD>
<DIV align=left>4</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>DEVONISH,Marlon</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>GBR</TD>
<TD width=20>
<DIV align=left>10.29</TD>
<TD width=30>
<DIV align=left></TD>
<TD ="transparent_">
<DIV align=left>0.152</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>5</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>THOMPSON,Richard</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>TRI</TD>
<TD width=20>
<DIV align=left>10.32</TD>
<TD width=30>
<DIV align=left></TD>
<TD ="transparent_">
<DIV align=left>0.148</TD></TR>
<TR ="alt">
<TD>
<DIV align=left>6</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>SMITH,Nick</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>GBR</TD>
<TD width=20>
<DIV align=left>10.53</TD>
<TD width=30>
<DIV align=left></TD>
<TD ="transparent_">
<DIV align=left>0.163</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>7</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>PICKERING,Craig</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>GBR</TD>
<TD width=20>
<DIV align=left>10.59</TD>
<TD width=30>
<DIV align=left></TD>
<TD ="transparent_">
<DIV align=left>0.168</TD></TR>
<TR ="alt">
<TD>
<DIV align=left>8</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>EJEHU,Junior</TD>
<TD>
<DIV align=left>GBR</TD>
<TD width=20>
<DIV align=left>10.83</TD>
<TD width=30>
<DIV align=left></TD>
<TD ="transparent_">
<DIV align=left>0.141</TD></TR></T></T></T></TABLE>


Needless to say, he didn't make the 1 PM EST final. He's just embarrassing himself at this point. Granted the -1.6 headwind waspretty strong, butalmost everyone else dealt with it without consequence.Edited by: Neo

 

[albinosprint]

god damn shame! I really hope Craig keeps it together mentally after this bad season and turns it around for next year.

 

[white lightning]

His season is shot for this year. If I were him, I would be interviewing different coach's from around England. It may sound funny but I would love to see what the French Coach could do with the kid. He needs someone that really understands the bio mechanics of sprinting. There are so many things that can be fixed. He just doesn't run relaxed anymore. He is always pressing and there for fighting himself. The talent has always been there.

The only thing I can say is don't give up Craig. You have 2 years till the olympics. This is your dream and it is not over yet. Your a young man at 23. Get a new coach as soon as possible. Take a few months off. Enjoy the summer. Spend time with your family, friends and girlfriend. Then come back in the fall and listen to this coach. Learn how to sprint from the ground up. A new coach can work miracles if you give him a chance. Good luck Craig.

 

[greyghost]

craig is off to loughborough, so new coach, new environment, new personal bests, beware this guy will be back ,

 

[greyghost]

this guy is the truth, i reckon he is every bit as good as christhope LM. when the environment is right and the fact at loughborugh he has some serious training partners to push him every day. mark my words pickering will be back

 

[trackster]

Well, I sure hope Craig makes it back. His total collapse this year was one of the most depressing track stories of 2010. I'd love to see he, Alan Webb, and Nick Willis all come back big next year.

He has started a blog which I'm sure many track fans on the board will enjoy following:
http://craigpickering1014.blogspot.com/

 

[white lightning]

Thanks for posting this link so that everyone here can continue to follow his career. The thread for Craig Pickering has been one of the longest threads here at this board. He is very popular and also very talented. Craig has had more than his share of bad luck over the last several years but I don't think we have seen the last of him yet. The kid is hungry and focused.

Here is to 2011 being among other things the RETURN OF CRAIG PICKERING TO THE WINNERS CIRCLE!

 

[freedom1]

Isn't Michael Khmel the guy who trained Shirvington?

 

[white lightning]

Yes that was the same coach. That is kind of scary when you think about it. I wish someone like Dan Phaff could coach him. There are many guys I could think of but at least Khmel is a step up from Arnold.

 

[albinosprint]

well this is a step in the right direction! I'm sure we will see a new Craig next season.

 

[mastermulti]

"this guy is the truth, i reckon he is every bit as good as christhope LM."

let's not get carried away here.... CLM is th best white performer ever. Craig showed good promise.

Having said that I hope everything works out for Craig so that he can achieve his full potential. The years pass by quickly.

 

[trackster]

No meets going on, but Craig is keeping a very nice blog on his offseason workout (link is a few posts up). I wish more athletes kept such journals. Anyway, we've all been crossing our fingers hoping he'll bounce back from a hellish 2010, and, for those of us who were ruminating aloud about what changes may or may not help him, this blog serves as a kind of real-life experiment, because he is definitely making changes. Here, for example, he describes his first day under the new coach:

"This week I moved up to Loughborough to start training with my new
group. It really is a big change. My new coach is big on running
technique, something that I have never really worked on before, so
training involves lots of drills that I am not very good at. There is
also the addition of hurdle drills, again something that I have never
done before, and am not very good at. There are loads of new exercises
in the gym for me to get my head round, some of which I am not very good
at. My new training group are used to all the different exercises and
drills, and so they are experts at them. This leaves me feeling pretty
inadequate for most of the training session! However, with time I will
get better at the exercises, and hopefully start to beat my group at
them. This is all part of the reason that I moved; new exercises and a
new challenge to change things up a bit. I'm very excited about the
changes I am making, and hopefully the improvements I am making, so
hopefully next season will be much better than the one just past."

 

[j41181]

Looks promising! Me thinks the initial goal for Pickering is to achieve a sub 10.10 (10.03 would be great). The new training regimen and challenges will certainly motivate him.

Pickering is to Britain, what Lemaitre is for France.

 

[mastermulti]

yep, that's what I want to hear from him - never practiced on technique much seems obvious now. And new drills will sharpen him up in specific areas where improvement will make a difference to his speed'
Hurdle drills for instance will help his hip flexers and help him get that foot down faster too

 

[white lightning]

Good points guys but you have to ask yourself why a world class athlete like Craig was not taught proper from many years ago? It takes until he is 24 and he had to fire his coach. There are so many people in the UK Athletics Group and no one wanted to help him out. It's just very fishy to me. I always knew his form was sub par yet I saw the talent. Hell I could have taught the kid proper form. I'm happy he switched but it's just sad that he waited till his mid 20's to do it. Better late than never though. If he can ever get his form down and regain the power, look out. He might just go in the high 6.40's range indoors and who knows outoors. Good luck to him.Edited by: white lightning

 

[white is right]

I know from working out if you hit a sticking point, magazines tell you to switch up your workout to push through a new barrier. This could be something similar. There is no way that at 24 Craig should be regressing to a domestic club level sprinter. Let's hope for the best with this change of environment.

 

[mastermulti]

Posted: 27 January 2007 at 4:04pm by albinosprint

"THIS KID IS UNBELIEVABLE! HE IS JUST DESTROYING THE BROTHERS ON THE TRACK! I would bet my left ball this kid breaks 10 in the next few years. he's got me so pumped I'm thinking about getting back into sprinting."

how're they hanging buddy

 

[albinosprint]

Posted: 27 January 2007 at 4:04pm by albinosprint

"THIS KID IS UNBELIEVABLE! HE IS JUST DESTROYING THE BROTHERS ON THE TRACK! I would bet my left ball this kid breaks 10 in the next few years. he's got me so pumped I'm thinking about getting back into sprinting."

how're they hanging buddy

damn, that hurts! well, I still have confidence that he can do it. I'm hoping with the change of coach / training he will do it by London 2012. I've got faith in the boy. he's got what it take, he just needs the right mentality and proper coaching to bring it all together. maybe they can ship him to Jamaica and put him on the yam diet

 

[j41181]

The next two will be very crucial for Craig, he might really need some that Jamaican Yam.