Erin Taylor-Talcott/Dave Talcott

Above: Erin Taylor- Talcott representing the USA at the 2011 Pan Am Race Walking Cup held at altitude in Columbia.

Below: Erin and Katie Burnett walking a personal best time at the 2011 USA  20km National Titles in Eugene, Oregon.

Crossing ther line to take 6th place in the 2012 USA MEN'S 50km Olympic Trial breaking 3 American women's records in the process including the taking 6 minutes off the old 50km record.

Below is her husband Dave Talcott. Dave qualified for the USA nationals for the first time in 28 years at Penn Relays and folowed it that up with a great race at the championships themselves.

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Below: Dave crossing the finishing under the 4hr 45minute time that qualified him to compete in the USA 50km Olympic Trial in January 2012 in California.

Racewalker, Erin Taylor, early January won the USA 2010 National 50km title in 4hrs 57 min, second fastest time ever recorded in that country. Erin has broken her personal best time over every distance from 1500m to 50km over a 12 month period. Husband, Dave Talcott, certainly produced some good races so far this year as well.

August saw Erin take 5th in both the national 15km, in 82.50, and 1 hour with 11,287m, while Dave was 5th in the 15km in 77.50, and 3rd in the 1 hour with 12,129.

September was even better. Erin took 2nd in the national 40km in 3hrs.58 min, right up with her earlier 50km effort. Dave took 4th smashing his PB time with 3.48

On the 10th October Both Dave and Erin produced huge personal bests for racewalking the marathon. Dave went 3hrs 52 min 56 sec, a time which included a 3 minutes stop for a train believe it or not! He went through 40km 8 min faster than at nationals a month earlier. Erin went 4.11.38 improving 14 minutes on last years time going through 40km in a similar time to nationals. The beauty of their walks was that they were on at 85% effort to allow for a strong recovery.

On the 14th November both followed up with half marathon bests on a tough course. Dave doing 1.49 Erin doing 1.55, with Erin pushing it hard to 20km in 1.47.59 first time under 1.50. After brilliant kickdowns sessions over the last 2 weeks, Dave 25km 2hr 15 (23/11/10), Erin 20km 1.50.52 (2/12/10) (both sessions starts at 5.50 - 6 min per km and get faster each 5km), both look ready for huge personal best times at the 2011 National 50km in January.

23rd January 2011 saw Erin take out her second consecutive national 50km in a time of 5hrs 12 min. With other events coming and missing a bit of training Erin was conservative doing enough to win. Dave took 6th place in 5.04. his first half was terrific 2.18 but chasing the the qualifying time for the USA Pan Am Cup Team took it's toll in the 2nd half of the event as it did for many.

After both Dave and Erin walked a 3km in 14.16 and 14.20 respectively the next week, 13th February, they fronted up to the USA Pan Am Racewalking Cup 20km Trial in Florida. Erin walked a huge 5 min personal best taking 5th place in 1hr 45.00 min. That great performance was enough to get her selected for the USA in the team to go to Columbia. In the process Erin walked a near 5km Pb and broke her PB's over 10km and 15km in the process. So it was a great walk.

For me as a coach Erin is the 3rd racewalker to represent her country, that being from from 3 different country's, in the last 12 months.

While Dave didn't have ambitions to make the team over 20km he walked a personal best as a Masters walker taking 5th place in 1.42.40.Dave will look to take on the shorter distances for a while before preparing for a 50km in Italy in October.

As the Pan am Cup was going to be at altitude in Columbia Erin then spent 2 weeks there at 8.500 feet acclimatizing to it. She took 20th place in the event in an excellent 1.51.51, excellent given the heat and the altitude of just under 6,000 feet. That's right up with her best form at sea level when the altitude difference is taken into account. Great effort for her first USA representative race.

Erin and Dave followed up at Penn Relays with two mighty performances. Dave qualified for 20km Nationals for the first time since 1983 with a huge personal best time in the 10km, walking 48.15, just under the 48.20 cutoff. Erin immediately afterwards broke 24 minutes for the first time waling 23.57 absolutely obliterating her previous best time of 25.41.

On June 4 both Dave and Erin ventured to Albany, New York, for the National 10km. On what is rationally a very slow course, full of cobblestones, Erin took 2nd place in the Women's event in a huge, 2 minute personal best time of 49 min 48 sec. Dave showed his Penn Relays form was no fluke with another walk in the 48's, taking 5th place in about 48.40.

Next step took both to the USA track and field nationals on the 26th June, which I actually got to see live while on holiday in the USA. Erin took 6th place in a hot field walking 1.41.56, a 4 minute personal best time and 11 minutes fast than 2 years ago, no mean feat at 33 after race-walking for 20 years and a testament to her work output and determination.

Dave took 9th place in 1.39.36, his fastest time for many years. At 51 years of age it was a great effort just to qualify to complete in a strong open field and even better he walked so well on the big day itself.

On the 9th September Erin and Dave won their respective National 40km championships. Dave took first place in 3hrs 45 min, while Erin took won the women's event in 3.41. Dave's time was a 3 minute personal best and maybe the first time a husband and wife have won the same national racewalking title there in the same year. Most important aspect of Erin's performance was that Erin went on to complete 50km in the brilliant time of 4.41, a 16 minute personal best and a USA national record. That time qualifies for for the Men's USA Olympic Trials event next year, which she hopes to compete in if she gets permission from the USATF.

On the 9th October Dave took 2nd place in the Men's national track one hour championship with 12, 026 metres. Dave is in training to represent the USA in the 50km Pam Am championships hence felt a bit flat from the heavy training. Erin took 3rd place with 11.046 metres after hurting her hip early in the race. Erin then did just enough to make sure she complete the hour without hurting her hip too much.

On the 29th October Dave ventured to Mexico to represent the USA over 50km at the Pan Am Games. After a great lead up to the race Dave unfortunately felt the wrath of the walk judges early on. So next up will be to look for another 50km, especially given his current form as well as taking advantage of his time training in Colorado at altitude, to attempt to walk 4hrs 45 min to qualify for the USA Olympic Trials in January.

Erin had a terrific training block in Colorado at altitude as is well prepared for another attack of some personal best times. She had a couple of great 30km's on top of some fast fartlek and kickdown sessions in the 11 days she was there.

Next up on the 24th November was a short 5km walk at the annual Thanksgiving Day Fun run, the Turkey Trot. Erin walked a personal best of 23.38 after getting "blocked" by runners early. Dave did his fastest time in 20 years finishing in 23.48 Dave kept a little spare given what was next a couple of days later.

That lead up to the big one for Dave on the 26th November. Until to then Dave had a really great year but the missing link was qualification for the USA 50km Olympic Trials. The goal was 4hrs 45 min, the Trial qualifying time. Dave, walked a wonderfully smart race to complete the 50km in 4hrs 42 min 20 sec to qualify for the Trials to be held in California on January 22.

For his great effort Dave was named USATF athlete of the Week. 

He joins Erin in the race after Erin was given permission to compete in the normally men's only event. The 50km is not on the track and field program for women. Erin produced the qualifying time on September 11 and argued she should be allowed to compete given she had that time. After a fight that permission was recently granted. The New York Times article on this can be seen below. Could be a bonus publicity boost for racewalking too.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/sports/erin-taylor-talcott-allowed-to-racewalk-in-50k-olympic-trials.html?_r=3&hpw

Come the 22nd January 2012 at the Men's USA Olympic Trial Erin produced the race of her life to take 6th place in a field of 13 creating a new American record time of 4hrs 33 min 22 sec. This took a massive 6 minutes off the previous American record. Erin attacked the race hard going through 20km in 1.46.37, extremely quick 4.26 pace and half way in 2.13.35, the first of 3 American record created in the race. At that point she was sitting 9th. Gradually Erin demonstrated her 50km strength picking off tired and sore walkers in front of her. She went through 35km in 3.08.33 to create her 2nd American record. After going the 40km in 3.36.23 Erin moved into 6th place late in the event holding on strongly after her fast first half to finish the 50km in another American record time. She showed she was a very worthy competitor in this event proving a number of naysayers very wrong. By the same token she had a massive amount of support too. Her time qualifies her for the USA men's World Cup 50km, to be held in Russia in May, being under the required 4hrs.35 min time. By the rules 5 walkers can be selected but with a few ahead certainly not walking the 50km distance in Russia, preferring the 20km, the next fight is for permission to be allowed to compete.

Pictures and video of the event are on the link below including a few shots of Erin. It was a sensational race up front too as the artifice and video show.

http://imperialbeach.patch.com/articles/santee-sees-dramatic-duel-for-spot-on-olympic-team

Husband Dave didn't have the same luck. Injuring a hamstring leading up it was obviously he was not going to finish. After going to the effort of qualifying for such an important event for the first time ever in 30 years of walking Dave was determined he was going to at start. While he retired before 5km he was happy just to be there in the first place amongst the country's best.

April 1st saw Erin walk a local 10km during a running event. Plane disruptions caused problems preventing her getting to the World Cup Trials that weekend and gaining certainly a possible team place. Despite quite a few sore muscles from working and a few discs problems in the back, Erin still managed to walk the distance in a strong 49.30 on a very up and down course.

On the 29th April Erin and Dave took to the 2012 Penn Relays racing 5 and 10km respectively. Erin, despite missed specific racewalking training, did well to finish the 5km in 3rd place with a time of 24.07, still just 10 sec outside her personal best time. Dave, in his first real race for a long time, took out first place in the Masters section completing 10km in 50.13.

In the 13th May Erin and Dave walked a local 10km running event on a tough course that, while not steep, climbed for long patches. Erin showed training was beginning to kick in walking 48.55 just in front of Dave in 49.03.

On the 19th May Dave raced a 20km in Michigan. Unfortunately he found this one a tough race walking 1.44.45 but will race 20km again on the 9th June. He is training very well so surely a good one is just around the corner.

2nd June saw Dave and Erin tackle the USA 10km Championship. Dave had an excellent race walk walking not far shot of his personal best finishing in 48.31. Erin's race was hampered very early by 2 red cards by 3km. So to avoid a 3rd "red" and a dq Erin walked very conservatively to take 2nd place and the silver medal in 50 minutes exactly in what amounted to no more than a nice training session in the end.

On July 1 Erin took to the USA Olympic Trials over 20km. After a good start this one sadly ended in a dq (common with walkers) at the 8km mark of the event mainly for loss contact.

On September 9 Erin and Dave took to the USA national 40km. Erin, after breaking the the USA record through 25km, crossing through in 2hrs 13 min 22 sec, before "putting the cue in the rack" and cruising in from there winning in 3hrs 44 min.45 sec.  Dave took 4th place in the men's event walking an even pace thoughout finishing in 3 hr and 47 min.00 sec continuing his good form over these distances.

The Pan Am Cup Trial over 50km on October 31 didn't quite have the same success. Erin unfortunately felt the wrath of the judge s at 20km while Dave began struggling at 30k eventually retiring at 33km.

On November 11 Erin and Dave took to walking the New Hampshire half marathon, an event they do each year. Erin, after going through 10km in 49.48, went through 20km in 1.40.55, a pb and exceptionally for a hilly course. Erin the very difficult last 1.1km climb Erin finished the half marathon in 1.48.10, 90 seconds faster than last year's time and 24 minutes faster than in 2008. Dave produced a similarly wonderful 20km split in 1.41.15 before climbing the last 1.1km to finish in 1.48.35. Dave was a minute behind Erin at half way but was strong in the second making up significant ground.

On the 22nd November Erin and Dave took to walking the local Turkey Trot over 5km on American Thanksgiving Day. Erin smashed her PB to pieces walking 5km in 23.11, producing two pretty even splits. Erin's performance was a 27 sec PB. Dave again produced a great effort equaling his time from last year walking once again under 24 minutes finishing in 23.49. Erin is now off to England to have her technique assessed at the University complex in Leeds, home to many English racewalkers.

On the 25th November Erin had her first walk in England, a low key 5km on a tough, hilly course. Despite backing off during the event she still managed to walk the 5km in 24.08.

On the 29th December Erin and Dave took to the USA 5km Masters Indoor championships, which included an open race as well. Erin, being still 34, is not eligible for Master until May, but was easily first across the line in 23.58. Dave, while still short still of 100% condition, took out his age group in a very solid 24.16.

On January 1 2013, they both raced the local New Year's half marathon. Both pushed for a 20km time then cruise in the last Km and a bit. In freezing conditions (under 20 deg F), on a hilly course with a wind chill blowing up later in the race, Erin went through 10km in 49.50, 15km in 74.45 but  the hills and wind took it's toll finishing 20km in an excellent 1.40.37. Dave walked a good race, walking evenly thought out, finishing in 1.44.30. A very encouraging walk for Dave at that point of the season, which is sure to get faster as his fitness improves.

On the 13th January both took to a mile race in Dartmouth, a tough assignment coming back so far in distance. Both attempted to make a few almost unused fast twitch muscles explode doing a good job with Erin winning the women's in 7.12 and Dave coming 3rd in the men's in 7.17.

On the 20th January Erin raced over 3000m and Dave 1500m. Erin walked a personal best time winning in 13.53, her first time under 14 minutes officially, while Dave found a few seconds again on his mile effort last week winning the 1500m in 6.45.

On the 26th January Erin and Dave raced 3km. Erin walked yet another PB finishing in 13.48 seconds, temporarily ranking her USA no.1 this current indoor season. Dave finished well walking the distance in 14.15, then backing up the next day walking 5km in 23.59, a big improvement on the previous day.

On the 16th February Erin and Dave took to the prestigious Millrose Games, which included the USA Mile race walk title. Dave took 7th in the men's event finishing the distance in a fast of 7.12, good time given the distance would never suit him. Erin walked well for 6th and while not walking too far outside her personal best, 7.17, 5 seconds short of her PB, as a 20-50km specialist the mile distance certainly didn't suit her.

On the 17th March both Erin and Dave raced the Pan Am Cup 20km Trial in California. Erin, at present working on technique, walked fast enough only to make the team, something she successfully did in a comfortable 1.45.14. She is off now to Guatemala on May 25th for the Pan Am Cup.

Dave had an excellent start, getting through his first 10km in good time, tiring a little over the last 5km to finish the 20km in 1.45.52.

On the 7th April Dave race a track 10km. After a 24.45 first 5km Dave finished the 10km in 50.04. A week later he followed that up with a road 10km on a very difficult course that was very hilly. Finishing that course in 50.40 was an excellent performance probably better than his performance the week before.

Erin too did that hilly 10km. Going through the first half in just over 25 Erin finished in 50.36, a fine performance on that course given changes we are going through, and only just slower than her effort last year.

On April 30 Dave raced a European Grand Prix event in Naumburg, Germany. chasing the 1.39.50 20km qualifying time for the USA Nationals in June he produced his best result in 2 years walking 20km in 1.41.34 walking two relatively even 10km splits. Erin didn't walk after an accident with a discus hitting her above the knee on the full. The bruise and swelling were huge.

On the 11th May Dave raced another 20km in New Jersey, again making an attempt on the qualifying time. again there was no luck finishing 20km in  1.44.36. 

On the 18th May Dave raced a 5km going to qualify through that route finishing in 24.34.

A week later Erin, despite her swollen knee attempted the Pan am Cup in Guatemala given it was a USA representation. Unfortunately her knee didn't hold up and she ended up off the road at 3km.

In the 1st June Dave did the USA 5km championship in Albany. Unfortunately while the warm weather took it's toll late affecting most walkers, Dave did still come 3rd in a time oif 24.57.

On the 29th June Dave raced the USA Club championships over 5km. On a very warm and humid day Dave did well to take 2nd place in 25.14.

On July 20 both Erin and Dave walked a local 5km road run. on a course with a few tough hills Dave walked very well, producing his fastest  for quite a while. He finished in 24.10. Erin, still feeling the effect of her knee colliding with a discus a few months ago, did very well to complete the 5km in 24.30.

On the 15th September Dave took to the USA 30km championship. Dave walked strongly throughout, walking lower 26 min 5km splits crossing 15km in 1.18.43. The only split that went over 26 was the last one, just, allowing Dave to finishing in a big 3 min PB of 2.38, a PB that stood for a couple of decade, Just outside the USA M50 record. That performance was good enough for 2nd place.

On the 13 Oct Both Dave and Erin raced the USA 40km. Erin raced consistently the whole race though, splitting each 5km in  the low-mid 27, one in the 26's, going through 20km in 1.50.16. Erin did well over the second half to negative split, last 20km in 1.49.04, to winning in 40km in 3.39.2, certain her best walk for the year  this far.

Dave walked very strongly and evenly throughout, splitting each 5km in the high 26s, the last one sneaking over 27 when he stopped to apply vaseline. Crossing 20km in 1.47.24 Dave held that pace very well finishing in 1.47.36 to take 2nd place in 3.35.00. That was a 6 min PB for Dave and another PB that was a couple of decades old.

Both Dave and Erin then travelled to Brazil for  the World Masters Track and field championships. Races were 5, 10 and 20km between the 18th and 26th October.

For Dave, his first race was just 5 days after the 40km. Racing a really tough field in the M50 age group over an unsuited distance save hung in well to take and excellent 6th place in 24.10, which equals a season's best for him. On the 22nd October Dave raced the 10km. Unfortunately the course was measured incorrectly at 10.5km Walking conservatively early on a hot day ( 28 deg C). Dave worked his way through the field negative splitting and just getting outkicked late for the 5th spot finishing 6th in 52.02. That would be about 49.40 for 10km, his best performance for the year.

Erin's first race was the 5km 6 days after the USA 40km. Untroubled from the start Erin never got out  of 3rd gear at all and was totally untroubled winning the W35 age group by 90 sec in 26.05. On the 22nd  October Erin race the 10km, incorrectly measured at 10.5km. Erin again walked in 2nd gear all the way winning by 3 minutes in 54.06, crossing 10km in about 51.19 according to her Garmin watch, as easy as she has ever walked such a time.

On the 26th October Dave and Erin walked their 3rd race of the Championships. Again the course was long, over 21km. Erin led all the way, winning easily in both her W35 age group and over all, lapping every walker bar two. Erin walked within herself as walking for a PB on an incorrect course was pointless. Her time was negative split in 1.49.14 crossing 20km in about 1.43.40, still very good.

Dave again had to contend with a red hot field in the M50 division. Dave this time come home very strongly finished 2 places closer  in 4th, not far short of the bronze medal, negative splitting the incorrect course in 1.46.20. Dave crossed 20km in approximately 1.40.45, his bet since 2011.

Dave and Erin had a great period racing their 40km national then World Masters 5, 10km and 20km over just a 2 weeks period. It sets them up nicely for their national 50km on the 24th November.

On November 10 Dave and Erin raced a local half marathon (about 200m long). Dave walked the distance in 1.48.39 after going through 20km in mid 1.41's. Erin finished 15 sec further back after crossing 20km in 1.41.38.

On the 24th November both Erin and Dave raced the USA 50km title. A hot and humid day in Florida, 30 deg C, made walking extremely difficult for all walkers. Erin produced an excellent effort in the conditions to win the women's event. After walking 2.18 for the first half the conditions caught up to finish the 50km in 4.50.40. although, naturally, well outside her PB it was a great walk in the conditions and 11 minutes under the w35 world record. Erin was 2nd overall when the men were included.

Dave had an excellent race in the conditions. Making a good start at the qualifying time then conditions caught up. after walking 2.19 for the first half Dave worked through the conditions well outlasting the opposition to take 2nd place in 5.00.26, 2 minutes ahead of 3rd and well ahead of the others, who really struggled with the weather. Dave's 2nd place also earned him $5000 prizemoney.

Late 2013/early 2014 saw Erin train in Australia. Depite a hiccup 6 days after arrival when she walked 20km at the Men's 50km in December she trained very well. She raced a 3km in 14.14 after a hard training session in the morning, then, on the 17th January qualified for the World Racewalking Cup in Melbourne with a 20km performance in 1.41.05. Leading up she had two great fartleks, a 10km in 49.15, and a shorter 8km one in 38.56. After that we embarked on a much bigger program something that would suit her strengths.

On arrival home early March Erin embarked on track 50km. She completed 125 laps of a 400m track in 4.34.35, her 2nd fastest time ever. After that the did the USA World Cup Trial and qualified 5th in 1.43, which gave Erin her first ever World Cup berth, a race held in May in Taicang, China.

At the World Cup Erin finished in 80th position in 1.45.25 despite experiencing GI issues during the race.

On return Erin picked up as mystery issue that caused fatigued and affected her entire 2014. She finished 6th at her national 20km in 1.43.41 but all year her training was reduced in volume, getting out the key sessions then recovering well as some days an easy 10km session couldn't be finished. No more than 2 days training in a row. I essentially played the whole of 2014 by ear rather than physically writing a program. 

Erin felt better in September and returned to China for the 4 Day event, distances varying between 10-15.6km each day. She produced 4 excellent days of racing but on return the fatigue came back. With a 50km in November 22nd, this time against very hot opposition, it was going to be a difficult to get right for. 30-35km sessions were followed by a day or two of recovery, as were longer fartlek or kickdown sessions. Key was to get the specific 50km sessions in the recover. On the day the key was to walk very evenly given the lack of true preparation. With Katie Burnett and Susan Randall in the event a good time was needed to win. Susan made a break at 30km and got to a 45 sec lead, then Katie took over at 40km and built a big break. Erin sat 3rd, moving to 2nd at about 38km, sticking to the plan, then gradually at 45km closed the gap. With 2.5km to go Erin took the lead as Katie tired very quickly, walking right away to win in 4.38.11, her 3rd fastest time. Given the circumstances it was up with her best walk ever. She walked a smart race and followed everything to the letter, and I was pleased to control the program as such to allow Erin to peak nicely on the day despite the difficulties.

Come December Erin was feeling much better, hence we embarked on a program to nail her 20km. It was a slightly different program with alot more volume in the faster walks to suit her current circumstances. Her 3km and 5km speed wasn't what it was, which can happen as you get older, so it was changed to make her interval sessions more volumous and sustained to keep her 20km going at her usual speed. She walked a 3km in 14.07, about 19 sec short of her 13.48 pb.

Erin embarked on a European tour in March 2015, her first race, and my last race with her as coach, in Lugano, Switzerland. She managed a pb walking 1.41.02. After that race we parted company as athlete and coach, deciding from that point on to coach herself. Thus a very successful athlete/coach partnership came to and end, a partnership that gave me alot of pride as a coach.

Tammy Stevenson

Below is racewalker Tammy Stevenson from Salt Lake City USA. Tammy won her National 5 and 10km Masters Championships in July 2010, 15km in May 2011, as well as taking 2nd in the Open title, and is now a triple silver medalist at the World Masters Track and Field Championships.Tammy was 2010's Masters walker of the year for her age group.

Tammy winning a Silver medal at the 2011 World Masters Titles in Sacramento in the 20km walk.

Above: Tammy and Nyle with the Russian walker at the medal presentation for the 10km walk at the 2011 World Masters Titles.

Below: Tammy with Diana Rossman supreme as part of the gold medal winning the USA 10km team  in that section at the World Masters Titles.

USA Masters walker, Tammy Stevenson, took first place in both the 5km and 10km at her USA Masters titles at Sacramento winning in times of 28.38 and 60.02 respectively. Fine effort after we found her iron stores to be very low. Tammy is preparing for next year's World Masters Championships also to be held in Sacramento. Tammy hadhad a long 8 month lay-off with a severe foot injury and only resumed training in March at the point I took up writing her program for her.

Presently we are working on important changes in technique due to years of foot problems. I identified her technique as the cause of the problem. Much of this was to do with hip rotation, unevenness of hip movement both sides causing compensation and over-rotation over the ball of the left foot. Tammy has been producing some of her best training sessions although the recent technique adjustments are now taking her body a little getting used to and affecting training times slightly in the short term. Importantly though the changes to technique, use of gluteals hence proper hip movement, has stopped her foot pain immediately. A wonderful result.

After a break due to a miscarriage sadly, next race was a local half marathon on April 16. Tammy, despite her fitness being down still took 4 minutes off her best time finishing in 2.07.37. That one was a wonderful effort all things considering.

Although lacking in fitness and suffering a shin problem in the lead up Tammy just recently smashed her personal best over 15km in the USA open and Master titles. Her time of 1.29.03 gave her not only first place in her age group but also 2nd place in the open section. That was a huge confidence boost for her.

Tammy unfortunately aggravated a shin injury in that race causing a cross training recover for just over two weeks. This left Tammy just 5 weeks to prepare for the World Masters championships. The "instant" program was successful as Tammy took 2nd place in all 3 events, the 5km. 10km and 20km behind Nyle in the 40-44 age group. Despite difficult warm conditions in all 3 events Tammy managed a track PB in the 5km, walking smart in hot conditions in 28.04. Tammy got huge PB's as well in both the 10 and 20km walking 57.35 and 2.00.37, great work both in tough conditions and given her fitness levels. 10km was outstanding, keeping the pressure on Nyle late into the race. Tammy handled the closely spaced 3 races very well, alot better than most hence 3 great performances. Without the previous 10km race 4 days before Tammy would've certainly have broken the 2 hours for the first time, especially to with an uninterrupted build up.

On the 17th September Tammy walked a marathon in Utah. Despite limited training and hitting a big wall at 35km that cost her 6 minutes Tammy walked a brilliant race to take 9 minutes off her best time finishing in 4.29. Tammy's next big race is the USA womens 50km and this marathon started her preparations for that event.

On the 29th October Tammy had her first 3km race in 3 years. Despite the rude shock for the fast twitch fibers, which didn't know what hit them, Tammy still walked a personal best time of 16 min 24 sec.

On the 6th November Tammy ventured to Fresno in California to attempt to break her half marathon personal best. That she succeeded in doing by 2 minutes walking 2 even splits finishing 2.05.33.

For good measure Tammy did the 3 states marathon 2 weeks later. Although purely a training session Tammy managed a huge personal best walking 4hrs 19 min 21 sec. Although the first half was a really good downhill the second half of the course was way tougher with many long climbs. The splits of 2.04 and 2.15 are a reflection of that not an indication of any problems whatsoever. Tammy last two marathons, the only two she has walked I started coaching her, have improved her personal best time for the distance by a massive 19 minutes.

Just to show how well Tammy recovered she did the Thanksgiving race in Salt Lake City over 6.2km. Tammy went a minute faster than last year walking 35 min 05 sec. First 3km was totally uphill, walked in 18.19, but the last 3km, totally downhill, was completed in 15.32. While a decent downhill that was fast and indicated how well Tammy had recovered from the previous weekend.

On the 7th January 2012 Tammy took to the USA national 50km her first time over the distance. Tammy walked a smart race in warm humid conditions staying about 25 seconds behind her rival Katie Grimes until the 42km mark. At the point Tammy dropped her time 15 seconds per 1182m lap, passing Katie at 44km and gradually moving right away to win in 5hrs 16 min 20 sec, an excellent first-up performance over the distance. Katie was unfortunate to have a potty stop late in the race making the final margin 3 1/2 minutes. Tammy was peaked to the minute for this race and walked the race just as we had planned it according to her strengths and the conditions.

On the 21st April Tammy raced the Salt Lake Half Marathon. Good course, 118m downhill over the first half, hilly over the second half. Tammy attacked the race from the start going through 5km in a fast 27.40 and 10km in a 56.45, both PB's, crossing half way in exactly an hour. The second half was more challenging of course. Tammy did tire a little, especially on the more challenging part of the course, but still went 1.26.20 through 15km and 1.56.50 at 20km both PB's before finishing the very hilly last km very strongly to complete a PB half marathon time of 2.03.50. That is a great, and needed, hitout for next month's National open and Masters 15km in California given she hadn't raced since the 50km early January.

On the 20th May Tammy took the 2012 USA National 15km championship. On a very humid day Tammy, while finding it a tough race over the last half of the race, was still more than strong enough to walk another personal best time finishing 1st in the Masters section and 2nd in the Open section in 1.28.41, a 21 second PB.

On the 24th July Tammy walked a local 10km run. On a nice downhill course she went the distance in 56.51. She backed that up walking a half marathon 4 days later. Again a nice downhill course, Tammy went through 10km in the PB time of 56.07 only to run into GI troulbe afterwards, which killed the rest of the race.

Tammy unfortunately had a virus prior to the USA national 40km on September 9.After good lead-up form it did hurt her race alot although she was still good enough to come 2nd in 4 hrs 23 min, which also won her the Masters section of the event.

Tammy followed that up walking the USA 30km title on October 28 taking 4th place in the open section behind an Olypian and two other USA representitves but again was first Masters walker infinishing in a time of 3hrs and 14 min.

On the 22nd November Tammy took the Thanksgiving race over a very hilly 6.2km, racing my new walker Kelly Clark and at the same time trying to beat her best time from last year. While  a great finish by Kelly got Tammy by 7 seconds, Tammy smashed her best time in the event from last year by 20 seconds, in 34.45, in a most encouraging performance.

On the 19th May. Tammy competed in the USA Open and Masters 15km championships. Although not quite going as fast as she would  like, she still finished 3rd in the open and was 1st in the masters 40-44 age group. so it was a succesful race for  her.  Time was still a solid 1,34.

On the 5th October Tammy raced the National Masters 5km. Right now Tammy has a mystery virus for months, which has affected her badly, but had done light training to get her though. She decided to race anyway and did a good job to win her age group, W40, in a still very decent 29.54. Tammy will  now rest for a while to get over what she has.

Chelsea Conway

Dave Talcott and Chelsea Conway at the 2011 USA 20km Nationals in Eugene. Both walked very well.

Chelsea Conway, 21 yo College racewalker from the USA 5th in the recent collegiate 2011 NAIA 5km in 26.34 then debuted at 20km at the 2011 USA Nationals walking an excellent 1.55.59 first time up at the distance.

On the 1st October Chelsea took 4th place in the USA 5km National road championship. She walked very nicely finishing in 26.34.

On the 28th December Chelsea had he first walk of the indoor season. She walked a steady race finishing in 15.51, a fine effort for the first race of the season.

Sadly for Chelsea she is out for 6 months at least after unfortunately breaking her leg back in February 2012.

Chelsea has been back training for 7 weeks (as of Nov 11) and while she'll have an interruption when the plate in her leg is surgically removed she has been coming along very nicely thus far as she attempts to regain her fitness.

In March Chelsea unfortunately ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in a skiing accident keeping her out of walking for 9 months. Not having much luck is Chelsea.

Chelsea's form over the last 12 months has been terrific. In that time she has qualified for both the USA mile championship at Milrose Games and USA Indoors championship, which is over 3km. The 2016 version saw Chelsea qualify for the USA Indoors in a PB of 14.39.31, just under the 14.40 requirement, then 7th at the championships in 14.40, despite a very fast start. 

She also competed at the USA Indoor 5km championship in December 2015, walking a big PB of 25.19. Her next goal will be to qualify for the 20km USA 2016 Olympic Trials, soemthing that requires a 1hr 48 min performance. Her last 20km unfortunately ended in a DQ, in September 2015, just short of the finish, where she would've been  a touch over 1.50 but she has improved markedly over the last 6 months have shown marked improvement in training and racing hence the required time is a huge chance. 

Katie Grimes

Katie is an outstanding masters racewalkers in the W50-54 age group. I have only  been coaching Katie since the 1st December. In that time she trained for the USA 50km on the 21st February. She raced well taking 4th place in what was a good field in 5hrs 53 min.

Katie's next race will be the Boston Marathon on August 18, which she qualified for. After that she'll focus on more of the shorter distances, especially the 20km.

Melissa Bosserman

I actually began with Melissa in the middle of 2015 but falling over and injuring her knee delayed. She restarted at the beginning of 2016 witha race over a mile. She completed that in 9.15, starting a good run that led to a couple of nice PB's

Next race, in February 2016, she compleeted a 3km in 17.51, a performance that was surprising given her fitness. 

Early March saw Melissa race the Oregon 5km championship, an event she won in a PB, the first time she had broken 30 min for the distance, finishing in 29.51.

Two weeks later, despite being underprepared to race a 20km, managed an 8 minute personal best finishing in 2 hr 9 min. At the moment she can look forward to some terrific racing as 2016 progresses.

Nancy Linky

Nancy Linky took 3rd place in the Senior Huntsmen Games in the 65years age group. Nancy felt very strong completing 5km in 36.48.

In February 2012 Nancy took to a marathon producing a couple of minutes improvement to finish in 6hrs 2 min. A missed turn cost her 6 hours after hitting the half way in 2hrs 43 min... Certainly a great effort.

On the 10th June Nancy did her first race back over 3km after suffering ITB syndrome. After a good start, splitting the first 1500m in 10.20, Nancy fitness naturally gave out finishing 3km in 23.12, certainly a creditable walk first up.

On the 18th August Nancy took to the Idaho Senior games over 5km. Nancy improved further by one minute on her previous 5km walking 37.37 qualifying her for the National senior Games in 2013. On the 25th August Nancy walked a local half marathon in 3hrs 3 min doing it as a training session for coming races. An excellent walk given the course was very hilly.

On October 20/21 Nancy took to the challenge of marathons back to back on consecutive days. After a strong build up with some excellent training Nancy successfully completed the challenge walking 5hrs.58 min on the first day followed by a more conservative 6hrs.59 min on day two. That's a mighty effort in anyone's language especially for someone who is 65yo. Great effort!!!

On the 14th April 2013 Nancy raced a local, every hilly 10 miler (16.1km). Despite the difficult of the course, some climbs slowing her to 15 minute miles, Nancy come through the race well finishing the distance in 2hrs 6 minutes. Nancy would be well pleased with that walk.

On the 27th April Nancy raced a local half marathon. She would have been pleased to break the 3 hours mark for the distance walking it in 2hrs.59 min. Nancy has been training well and that's a good reward for hard work.

On the 19th May Nancy race the USA Masters 15km. Walking a good race, Nancy took 4th place in her age group just missing the 2hr mark, her goal, agonisingly. Nancy finished to record a time of 2hrs 00 min 01 sec, so the 2htr mark was very close.

On the 8th June Nancy produced one of her best efforts in a local half marathon. Nancy completed the course in a few seconds over 3hrs. This wasn't far off her PB despite the 6000 ft altitude and a necessary nature stop.

On the 20 July Nancy raced a local 5km indoors. Not having raced the distance for a while, as well as holding back in training to concentrate on changes to her technique, Nancy produced a solid effort considering finishing 5km in 38.51.

On August 24 Nancy walked a local half marathon. On a very hilly course Nancy walked her best time for a long time finishing in an excellent 2hrs.51 min, a performance she'd be very well pleased with. That was enough to give her first place in w65 age group.

A week later Nancy competed in a local 10km road race. At 7000 ft altitude Nancy walked 79.14, a strong performance given the altitude taking 2nd place in w65 age group.

On the 9th of October Nancy raced the National Senior Games in Utah over 5km. Walking a good even race throughout with good technique Nancy produced a great effort to finish in 3rd place in the W65 age group in 38.54.

On the 16th November Nancy walked a local half marathon. Walking her best race for a long time Nancy completed the half marathon in in 2.49, way faster than what she has been doing. A slight change in the program certainly seemed to help.