Six months on since we launched the Empowering Performance initiative, we caught up with 100m hurdler, Anastasia Davies to find out how she’s getting on and what she’s got coming up next.
At the start of this year, motive8 launched Empowering Performance, a programme designed to help young sports stars reach their full potential.
One of the first athletes to benefit from a bespoke support package is talented hurdler Anastasia Davies. Anastasia is a 100m hurdler and competes internationally for Great Britain. Last year she competed in the European under 23 championships in Estonia and is currently looking to gain a place on the senior GB team next year.
It’s been six months since we launched the Empowering Performance programme, so we caught up with Anastasia to find out how she’s getting on and what she’s got coming up next.
Tell us about the last 6-months and any wins or challenges you’ve encountered.
The last 6 months or so have been a mix of good and challenging.
At the beginning of February, I won the South of England indoor championships with a PB of 8.35s. Between March and April our training plan became a tad less gruelling as we prepared for the outdoor season, with more emphasis on transferring power into speed both in the gym and on the track. We also started adding in more hurdles during sessions to prepare for the change from 5 hurdles indoors to 10 outdoors.
Unfortunately, in April, I picked up a knee injury (caused by a potential hamstring weakness issue) early on which derailed the rest of my outdoor season. I started seeing a physio every 3/4 weeks, who gave me rehab and strengthening exercises.
In late May I competed at the Loughborough International (13.80s, +2.5w) and in Dagenham (13.94s & 14.02s). These times were far from my best (13.38s) and so I spent most of June and July focusing on rehabbing, training, and getting back to full fitness. It was a shame to miss out on British senior champs, but I competed in late August for my club (Blackheath and Bromley Harriers) at the National Athletics League Premiership Final in Bedford, where I ran a 13.95s (+1.7w). We have a short break before starting again in October.
What does a typical week look like for you at the moment?
I work from home Monday–Thursday as a graphic designer and fit my training in around and after work. I have track sessions three to four times a week, and usually two gym sessions a week. I’ve been rehabbing my knee in-between training every other day from home using a Swiss ball and the BOSU balance trainer.
How has the support of motive8’s Empowering Performance programme helped with your sporting goals?
motive8’s Empowering Performance programme has helped cover some of my training costs such as travel to and from the track, club membership, as well as equipment, physio sessions and competition costs. I’ve also been fortunate enough to receive training apparel from On Running and branded motive8 kit.
What will you be working on with motive8 over the coming months?
Following on from our previous Train like an Athlete challenge in the summer, we’ll be creating a new fitness challenge later in the year for residents to take part in and compete against each other. In addition, motive8 are planning on expanding the Empowering Performance programme to support more young athletes like myself, which I can hopefully help develop with them and provide some valuable input.
What’s your current favourite workout or piece of equipment in your training regime?
Currently, I’m a big fan of the Swiss ball. I’ve been using it to aid my recovery and strengthen my hamstrings. There’s a range of exercises and balancing that can be done in order to strengthen the core and target specific muscle groups.
What does your diet and nutrition plan look like to keep you in shape during training?
My coach encourages us to eat everything in moderation – we don’t have a particular plan per se but essentially anything we eat ought to have a certain function. For example, it’s important we eat protein after training sessions to aid recovery and repair of muscles. And taking on any sort of fluids containing electrolytes to prevent dehydration during training is equally as important.
When you’re not training or competing, how you relax/spend your free time?
I joined a book club at work and enjoy reading our group and recommended books.
When I get the chance, I’ll visit a gallery and if not, I’ll get through a tv series or two.
What’s the next challenge or goal you are working towards at the moment?
I feel I’ve made significant progress in my recovery, so at the moment I’m training to the best of my ability and racing a couple more times before the end of the season. Our winter training block will then begin again in mid-October and from there I will be working towards the indoor season which starts in January.
To find out more about motive8’s Powering Performance initiative and the services we offer please contact us on 020 8481 9700 or email info@m8group.co.uk.
