Danny's Blog - July 2011

After the months of waiting and handing over of work, the time came when the realisation of my year's sabbitical to concentrate my efforts on my 2012 dream became all too real. It was very sad to say goodbye to friends and colleagues, and a job I can honestly say I loved getting up for in the morning. But I felt the time was right for some big decisions to be made, and I didnt want to get to 2013 having regrets of not giving things my best shot (pardon the pun!).

I have talked at length with my coach, Tim Newenham, about how to approach this time off, and how to manage my time as it would be all to easy to lose the structure from my day without the work routine, or to over-train and not see the benefits which this time off should bring. It will be a tricky thing to balance, but what a great opportunity, and one which I am very grateful to Aviva for giving me.

And how could I not mention the TV ad! Forgetting the fact that I am in it, I think it's a brilliant, brilliant ad, and one which reinforces our support of UK Athletics since 1999....a true commitment, and one which we hope will bear fruit in London 2012. I have even had somebody say to me that they saw the ad in Gran Canaria!! But it was an honour to be asked to be in the ad alongside the likes of Jess, Chrissie and Darren......even though we filmed my section on a very cold January morning!!!

Right, I had better sign off......but look forward to keeping everyone updated on what I'm doing!

Danny Nobbs, July 2011