Reaching New heights!

A fabulous night last night at Crystal Palace - Justin Gatlin turning in a time of 9.89, Tim Benjamin going sub 45 in the 400m (44.77), and best of all, a fantastic women's pole vault competition, eventually settled at World Record height - 4.96m!

The Polish vaulter (who I think has already completely shattered her PB by clearing 4.80m first time) was out of her league, but Yelena Isinbayeva breezed over it, only catching it on the way down with her chest. That was it for the night, or so we thought - she's got the bonus for a new WR. But then we saw the bar being put up, and 5.00 metres come up on the score boards. We gulped heavily!

The clapping built up to an awesome level, with load cheering all round as Yelena started her run up. Half way down the runway, the start gun for the 5000m went - enough to put anyone off as they were just to the side of the pole vault. But instead of stopping, she kept on going, and cleared the bar with ease. Probably a 5.05m jump if the bar had been that high. As one everyone rose to their feet - a real moment of athletics history!

We'd already seen one world record, and now a second. This one was doubly special though - 5 metres is one of those barriers in sport like the first four minute mile, and this one had been broken pretty much in front of my nose.

Spent the morning at the gym, with the intention of doing yoga followed by Body Pump (wasn't sure whether this was a good idea as my left quad was a bit sore from yesterday). In the end the matter was decided for me as the class was cancelled. It was great to do yoga again though, and I realised early on how I'd lost a fair bit of flexibility. It did give the muscles a great stretch out though, which I'm sure they needed!

I've lost half a pound since yesterday, but still well up on the week :o(