Athletics Sol hits new heights after Scottish gold
Spell of altitude training follows cross country win
Perthshire runner Sol Sweeney is hoping a three week training camp in South Africa will pave the way to indoor success.
The Crieff middle distance talent jetted out to the town of Dullstroom at the tail end of last week to take advantage of the warm weather.
Having pieced together an impressive year, the training will now allow Sol (19) to remain in top shape as he heads towards the indoor season.
It’s a first time in South Africa for the Glasgow University student but it’s an experience he knows will prove to be beneficial in the long run.
“I have just arrived in South Africa for a three week altitude training camp in Dullstroom at 2000m,” Sol explained to the Perthshire Advertiser.
“Once I’ve acclimatised, training will just get back to what I’d normally be doing at home but the training and recovery at altitude is a lot harder than at sea level, so it will be quite challenging.
“But I should see physiological benefits come from this when I return to sea level to race.
“This is my first time in South Africa so I’m looking forward to the experience and can hopefully return in good shape to kick off my indoor season.
“I’m unsure as to when my first race will be but this indoor season I will be hoping to run a fast 3000m and perform well at the British Championships come February.
“That is before looking towards the European U23 Championships in the summer.”
Sol is reflecting on a memorable win at the Lindsays Short Course XC Championships in Lanark last week.
He clocked a time of 11.32 to hold off the challenge of Inverclyde’s Adam Craig for a first cross country title at senior level.
“I was pleased to take the win at the Lindsays Short Course XC Championships,” Sol said.
“I wanted to win to follow up from the relays a few weeks back but I knew it would be tough with Adam in such good form.
Sol crosses the finish line first at the Short Course Cross Country Championships in Lanark. Pictures by Bobby Gavin/ scottishathletics
“He took the race on from the start and the plan was always to just track any moves then try to pull away in the closing stages.
“But he definitely made it hard at the start and you could see that from some of the athletes that were dropping off after the first lap. It made it quite an exciting race.
“I felt good through most of the race then just worked hard to pull away in the last couple hundred metres.
“To win my first senior cross country title is a very good feeling and, due to the standard of cross country racing in Scotland, it feels like a big achievement.
“I really enjoyed the course layout at Lanark. It was flat and fast which probably suits me a bit more but generally there was a really good atmosphere at the race.
“It’s great to see so many people out racing and supporting.
“As with most athletes cross country is where I first started so it’s always nice to get back to that at this time of year and just enjoy racing, not thinking about times.
“On top of this it’s also a helpful training aid in terms of getting ready for the track season and bridges that gap where there isn’t any track races.
“I don’t think I would like to stop racing in August, then not be on the start line until January when indoors starts again.” trophy Sol (centre) receives his