New faces from the upcoming generation of Czech walking: Jaroslav Morávek (2003), Eliška Martínková (2002), Jana Zikmundová (2002), Klára Hlaváčová (2003), Tereza Durďiaková (1991). 

It was at a time of restrictive pandemic regulations that it became clear how cooperation, a friendly team and a common goal can be the driving force behind training work and how in such an environment the results will not wait too long.
In recent years, I have heard from many people the criticism of the state, especially the poor performance level of the pedestrian "youth". I understood the criticism, because the level of performance from the students to the junior categories was, to put it mildly, weaker. And the adult national team relied on the results of Anežka Drahotová, but otherwise also nothing much, or rather nothing. And I was beginning to doubt whether the nod to asking whether to seek the location of the next three European Cups in Poděbrady was not rushed, because we will be the organizers of this competition, but who will represent us at the colonnade is a big unknown, because we probably won't have pedestrians. to monitor European performance…
This fact was perfectly shown by the last Poděbrady Cup, when after the health outage of Anežka Drahotová, the view of the results list was quite sad for the Czechs!
We managed to intrigue, slander and irritate each other perfectly, but to educate a young pedestrian who would be generally functionally, physically and mentally prepared to be able to withstand the required load necessary for competitive junior and senior performance - we were short on that!
Reluctance to abandon established Czech stereotypes of training, clinging to pseudo-scientifically justified theories of adequacy of training, inability and reluctance to submit to central management and ignoring the fact that we are able to produce competitive pedestrians, because many Czech individuals have done so in the present and recent past. These are all problems that need to be overcome.

Within project "VISION WALK 2020" Pepa Smola, in particular, "pumped" into my head that I have to find and involve new, young coaches, even from a non-pedestrian environment, who will have the will and motivation to prepare real racers. That if it works in other European countries, why shouldn't it go with us?
And so somehow a large training group began to form. A former solid runner and today coach (smart, conceptual, fearless woman) Katka Čermáková, who taught some runners in her Turnov cross-country group, was approved by the management of ČAS as my assistant and youth re-coach. (After all, with few exceptions, Czech runners walk at the same speed, so it was not a big problem for her). They started cooperating in coaching with the former junior running and walking representative Katka Maternová from the Vrchlabí athletics club SMOLA KONSTRUKCE. And I just "took the opportunity". Joint training camps with the adult part of the national team were launched and gradually I was able to transfer more and more powers and tasks to the pair of Kaček. The girls have begun to communicate with the coaches of other teams and are successfully convincing them to give walking a chance in their youth athletics or running groups. They commute to training and actively cooperate. Even at the Czech Union, Kačka Čermáková quickly gained a good name and respect. He "hears" it and is respected not only by officials and young competitors, but also by adult representatives.
Already at last year, but especially at this year's training camps and joint trainings, I have seen the youth work and start fighting for their place in the national team. Želetice, Bohuňovice, Rumburk, Malaga - it was amazing for me to see how Katka's team treads, how each individual makes up…

Thanks to Pep Smol for financing, thanks to Honza Rein, Nedvídky and Kačka Čermáková, that the SMOLA KONSTRUKCE CUP and that the pedestrians were one of the first to race after the measures were relaxed. And we've confirmed that performance is going up. 
The current results did not surprise me at all. That Eliška Martínková in her 18s cheekily peeks into the world 's top junior top that 17-year-old Jarda Morávek count higher and higher. They are getting better Jana Zikmundova, Klara Hlaváčová… The three of the youngest "bounced" Adelka Veselková with Pittnerová, Matěj Piták. (And decent performances were all given twice). And behind them another.
Again, Anežka Drahotová "gets together" among adults. Former triathlon representative and runner Tereza Durdiaková (who made (the first walking step in February) immediately broke the limit of 50 minutes for 10km, which is a promising walking start. Men Lukáš Gdula and Vítek Hlaváč…

What mainly me SMOLA KONSTRUKCE CUP The Rumburk-Turnov two-race race was pleasing, the atmosphere between the competitors and the course of the races (At the same time, the race return itself after her injury is not an easy matter for her). To see mutual help and cooperation even in the hands of the little ones - after all, if Adélka Veselková and Matěj Piták had not helped each other, they would not have exceeded the 15-minute limit. And in other cases to see focused and combative performances… yes, this is how it should be…
Whoever has a chance. And especially young people, they should take that opportunity. After all, Pepa Smola, a competitor in the MASTERS category, is also undergoing joint training with us, the young people are taking him and he is also benefiting from joint training… Don't be afraid of work. There are countless examples of these in Europe. Fresh now - if the youngest sister from the Norwegian Ingebrigsen clan can run 13 km at the speed of 5:3 / km in the 36s, what are you people afraid of ???
I am waiting for what Adam Zajíček, Robert Hurdálek and Roman Hanyk will show on their main tracks. I expect further improvements from Jana Zikmundová and Klárka Hlaváčová. Perhaps Eli Martínková and Jarda Morávek will not bounce alone.

We have to race at home for now. Let's deploy our competitors so that there is the greatest possible rivalry, mutual confrontation, fight for performance and placement…
For those who demonstrate performance, the door to the departmental center of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports is open, where their sports activities can be gradually professionalized with appropriate performance. When one of the young people takes courage, I would like to welcome him to SG Jilemnice in his endurance group. It is up to each of you how you evaluate your possibilities and abilities, what co-workers, training partners ev. coaches, what style of training and racing you choose…

I feel good about the current situation after a long time. I think that EP 21 will already show that we are on the right track and I believe that individuality will succeed. In the year 23, in addition to individuals, there will be at least one junior and one senior team at the start.
I really appreciate the cooperation with Kačka (especially Kačka Čermáková) and I am glad that it works. I think that a more ideal coaching symbiosis could not have arisen and allows me to gradually transfer the competencies of the person responsible for the walking team to the shoulders of new coaches. Systematicism and hard work have replaced anarchy. He is beginning to manage the representation as a whole.
I do not accept any possibility other than that we will start to reap greater success on major competitions. I hate defeats… I don't like to lose - and I think that's something we have with Katka Čermáková! And starting to be surrounded by racers and coaches who feel like it is perfect!

Text: Ivo Piták

Photo: PITCH WALKING archive