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Athlete diary: Dale Stevenson explains his three-step plan
This week’s athlete diary has been provided by Dale Stevenson, a 22-year-old Victorian who at this year’s Commonwealth Games will compete in the shot put.
After achieving his first Commonwealth Games A-qualifier at the Zatopek:10 in December 2009, Dale went on to increase his personal best and achieve additional qualifying standards on multiple occasions across the Australian domestic season.
The shot put silver medallist at the Australian Athletics Championships, Dales boasts a personal best of 19.70m.
Thanks Dale for sharing your three-step Commonwealth Games preparation plan.
ENJOY!
Entry 5: Dale Stevenson
I would like to preface my comments with an apology; an apology that my sentiments may not possess the same inspirational or erudite qualities as those of Tristan Thomas. Additionally, we aren’t all blessed with the beauty of a Jody Henry or the rugged good looks of one Mitch Watt. Nor can I share with you exciting stories of international jaunts or intricate surgeries at this point.
If you are anything like me, you probably enjoy reading extended blogs about as much as one enjoys the flood of lactic acid whilst your coach reassures you that you are ‘almost halfway there’. Not much. Resultantly, I have attempted to summate my Commonwealth Games preparation experiences into bite-size chunks.
1. Learning. This is my first senior team, and not making juniors or youths, I suppose it is my first team of any real significance (World Unis in 2009 being my only other international experience). As a teacher, I am fascinating in learning as a concept; talking with experienced athletes is very important to me. I am blessed to have a training partner in Scott (Martin) with whom I can talk openly and share ideas, and a coach who could talk under wet cement. Although we have all heard (coach) Gus's (Puopolo) stories/jokes/opinions hundreds of times (literally), they certainly make a freezing cold night in the gym more enjoyable. But for me, the best learning is experience; and that is something I cannot rush. Whilst I will never use inexperience as an excuse, I am also aware that I am a relative baby in my sport.
2. Growth. Unlike the previous point (which got a bit abstract/far-fetched/Tristan Thomas-like), this point is quite literal. In an event where strength underpins performance, the last four months have been spent investing in my physical condition. Whilst this is not glamorous or particularly exciting, all athletes know that time must be spent doing ‘donkey-work’. These hours, complimented by an ever-increasing weekly food bill, will hopefully equip me to throw further this year and beyond.
3. Excitement. It would be remiss of me to ignore the fact that this is a time of excitement. The chance to represent my country is why I got into Track and Field years ago. The reality of training, work and other everyday functions sometimes dull my anticipation; but underneath it all is a giggly schoolgirl.
Finally, I would like to take the chance to thank some of the unsung heroes in the life of an athlete. I am forever grateful for the ongoing support of my training partners, girlfriend, family, workmates, friends and coach for their assistance in allowing me to do what I do. I promise that is the last of the mushy stuff you will get out of me, I'll leave it to Tristan from now on.
Yours in sport,
Dale
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