I had a great introduction to my racing season with a win in the women’s feature sprint race at the famous Bay Sheffield in SA. The Bay Sheffield is always a great event to be apart of. Having a win in my home town in front of family and friends was amazing.

Steinert

I had almost forgotten how exhilarating it is to win a race. That was until I finally cracked the bolt in Noosa last weekend. The Noosa asics bolt has eluded me for 5 years but I finally made the top of the podium in my 'comeback' race in hot conditions, both the weather and competition.

I have travelled to Noosa for the bolt for the past 5 years finishing 2nd, 3rd and failing to finish three times! It has been a race I have wanted to win for many years but always fell short. This year I was determined and toed the line with nothing to lose after a long spell of mediocre performances.

By Jeff Hunt.

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Brought to you by Edward Ovadia who is in Berlin with official IAAF accreditation covering the championships for Runnerstribe.com

Runnerstribe: You're going in as the most underrated medal chance in the Aussie team. Is that how you see yourself, does it help take some of the pressure off?

Dani Samuels I feel like I could get a medal if I compete to the best of my ability like I have been over the last 12 months. So if I can reiterate that, then I can definitely make the top 8; but in terms of a medal, it's just about making the final, making the top 8, and then in those last few throws, if I've got the opportunity, then take it.

RT: What are your goals for the World Champs, what would you come away happy with?

DS: My first goal is to make it out of qualifying. If you're focusing only on a medal, you have to get through the qualifying round, go home, train for a few days, and then come back out for the final, it can be difficult. So you really have to focus on what's first. Once I make the top 8, that's my ultimate goal, because once you make the final anything can happen. Hopefully I'll throw to the best of my ability!

RT:You've been very consistent recently, how important is that going into a big meet like this?

DS: Definitely. I can compare this year to last year, because my best was similar, but last year I was throwing consistently at 60 to 61 metres, and occasionally I'd throw a massive throw but it would go out of the sector, so it was very hit and miss. But this year is a lot more consistent, the last few competitions showed that. 'Consistency is what wins medals', my coach (Dennis Knowles) always says.

RT: You're the youngest person in an event where people get better with more years in the bank. How does that make you feel?

DS: Last year I felt a bit that way, I felt a bit like 'I don't know if I really belong out here with these girl'. But after the Olympics I reevaluated everything, my attitude, my training, everything. Because I did feel that way at the Olympics, and I knew it wasn't the best attitude to have. I realised I was putting too much pressure on myself, so I now go out there, have fun, enjoy myself, and take on the best!

RT: In an event that can take quite a while to complete, how do you stay focused?

DS: It's one of the challenges of being a field eventer, most finals take an hour and a half. So it's hard when Usain Bolt is out there running the 100m, and you're thinking 'Don't watch that, you have to stay focused, you're up in three'. So you definitely have to switch off a tiny bit, so that you're not mentally drained.

RT: What is it you love about discus throwing? It's got a wonderfully rhythmic feel...

DS: When it's done properly it looks very poetic and very - not to sound corny - beautiful. When you absolutely nail a technique, it feels effortless, and it looks perfect. When you get that feeling, it's very rare, but when you absolutely nail it, it feels great.

RT: Thanks Dani! All the best for this week.

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Well another Aussie summer has come and gone and it's fair to say that something special was in the air this year. Athletics in Oz is looking up, for a number of reasons, and it's exciting. Let's take a brief look at some of the highlights from Brisbane.

Sorry for the slim pickings of videos but we were only granted a limited amount of coverage, so no full race coverage unfortunately, just highlights from the closing stages of select races :

Women's 400m Hurdles

An amazing battle down the home straight. With 100m to go you would have bet your house that Boden, the youngster, was going to win. Enter Tamsyn Lewis's strength over the final 80 meters, result, Lewis in a photo finish. Whatever your views on Lewis, her brilliance at winning on home soil is undeniable, she is the Queen at the national level.

1 Tamsyn Lewis              78 VIC                       56.27 WCB
2 Lauren Boden              88 ACT                      56.33 WCB
3 Lyndsay Pekin             86 WAIS                     59.70    
4 Amanda Morris             88 NSW                    61.37    
5 Catherine Newell          85 QLD                    61.61    
6 Gemma Radford             85 NZL                   63.08    
7 Tarin Nevin               87 NSW                          63.95   
-- Shannon McCann            88 WA                    DNF   



Men's 800m final

The 800m final had the smallish yet boisterous crowd on their feet. Lachlan Renshaw, defending champion, Olympian and outright favourite, went straight to the front with the rest of the field bunched in behind him. Nick Bromley looked ready to pounce the entire race and unleashd one mighty kick down the home straight to win his fourth national 800m crown.

1 Nicholas Bromley          83 NSWIS            1:47.76   
2 Lachlan Renshaw           87 NSWIS          1:48.17   
3 Werner Botha              85 QLD                    1:48.24   
4 Matthew Hammond           86 NSW           1:48.52   
5 Matt Inglis Fox           87 QLD                     1:48.67   
6 Fraser Coss               90 QLD                    1:49.29   
7 Chris deBoer              84 WAIS                   1:49.65   
8 Lee Berry                 90 QLD                        1:49.75  



 

Women's 800m final

No huge surprise that Medelaine Pape took out her first national 800m title.  Pape's run was impressive, her first lap was honest, she led from gun to tape in windy conditions, and she held off a fast finishing Kiwi, Nikki Hamblin.  She needs to now go and chase some fast times overseas to impress the selectors, good luck to her.

1 Madeleine Pape            84 VIC                  2:02.57
2 Nikki Hamblin             88 NZL                    2:03.23
3 Katherine Katsanevakis    88 VIC            2:05.91
4 Holly Noack               83 SA                        2:06.64
5 Kelly Hetherington        89 VIC                  2:07.83
6 Salome Dell               83 PNG                    2:08.09
7 Sianne Toemoe             89 NSW               2:08.89
8 Selma Kajan               91 NSW                   2:09.19



 

Men's 1500m

Jeff Riseley's win in the 1500m was nothing short of breath-taking. He is without doubt one of the brightest 1500m prospects to emerge from Australia, perhaps ever. Credit also must be given to Jeremy Roff for his second 3:37 for the year and his well deserved selection for the Berlin World Champs. Roff is one hell of a hard worker and this season he has done very little to deter the selectors from giving him a crack at the World Champs. Well done to both of them, and good luck.

1 Jeffrey Riseley           86 VIS                         3:35.71MWCA
2 Jeremy Roff               83 NSWIS                   3:37.62 WCB
3 Craig Huffer              89 VIC                          3:41.67    
4 Brenton Rowe              87 VIC                      3:42.11    
5 Philo Saunders            76 ACT                     3:42.77    
6 Grant Page                82 TAS                         3:44.10    
7 James Nipperess           90 NSW                3:44.81    
8 Richard Olsen             85 NZL                      3:45.03    
9 Daniel Clark              85 VIC                          3:47.04    
10 Jayden Russ               85 QLD                    3:47.63   
11 Peter Bock                82 QLD                       3:56.90   
-- David Campbell            82 IRL                        DNF   

 

Want to see more Riseley/Roff action?, not a problem. Check out their race from the Melbourne World Tour

Want more 1500m action? Check out our video interview with junior James Nipperess, who finished 7th running up in the opens. His clocked 3:44.81, pretty awesome for an 18 year old. Or check out our video interview with Ken Green, the current coach of Jeremy Roff, James Nipperess, Bridey Delaney and Nikki Molan.

Video interviews with James Nipperess and Ken Green
 

Women's 1500m final

This race was interesting to watch. The older and experienced Sarah Jamieson vs the young up and comer Bridey Delaney, vs Olympian Lisa Corrigan vs fast finishing Kaila McKnight. Credit has to go out to Delaney, she isn't the sort of runner to be left wondering about what may have been. However, in the end Jamo was just too strong and too experienced.

1 Sarah Jamieson      75 VIS                    4:16.15              
2 Kaila McKnight      86 VIC                       4:16.27              
3 Bridey Delaney      89 NSWIS                4:16.58              
4 Lisa Corrigan       84 ACTAS                  4:17.34              
5 Nikki Molan         83 NSW                       4:19.59              
6 Erin Montgomery     85 NZL                    4:25.61              
7 Corinne Myles       85 QLD                     4:29.96              
8 Linden Hall         91 VIC                          4:32.18              
9 Lucy Kennedy        88 QLD                     4:34.34              
10 Lauren McKillop     90 NSW                 4:34.67             
11 Nikki Hiscock       93 QLD                     4:36.79             
12 Anna McMurtrie      85 QLD                    4:38.31             


Men's 200m Final

Hats off to Aaron Rouge-Serret, getting some revenge on training partner and mate, Joshua Ross, after Ross announced his return to serious form in winning the 100m. In was a great championships for Rouge-Serret, with a silver in the 100m to add to his collection. Unfortunately he will have to do more if he wants to make it to Berlin, all the best to him.

Women's 200m final

This race was dominated by Kiwi, Monique Williams. On the home front Melissa Breen took the national honours, and took with it a berth for Berlin. At just 18 years of age, her emergence is exciting.

 

1 Monique Williams          85 NZL                  23.74        
 2 Melissa Breen             90 ACTAS               23.96        
 3 Alicia Wrench-Doody       86 SA                  24.33        
 4 Jody Henry                85 WAIS                      24.40        
 5 Andrea Koenen             90 NZL                   24.53        
 6 Jess Gulli                88 VIC                           24.84        
 7 Caitlin Sargent           92 QLD                      24.90        
 8 Morgan Whiley             84 TAS                     25.19


Sorry, broadcasting limit has been reached

We wish we could bring you more highlights, but it's not to be thanks to copyright laws. To watch further action from the 2009 Australian Championships tune in to channel 10 on Friday the 19th of April and Saturday the 20th of April at 9am

What the Press Had to Say

Although the general media coverage of the nationals was far from extensive, the world wide web did toss up the odd read. To avoid us repeating others, check out our collecion of worthy articles:

And if you missed Justin Rinaldi's entertaining preview form charts, then it's never too late to take a peak, just don't get too sucked in by the forum chit chat, forums can be ruthless places:

Rinaldi's Aussie National 800m form chart
Rinaldi's Aussie Nationals 1500m form chart
 

Or if you are more a photograph sort of person then this collection of action shots from Inside Athletics is rock solid :

2009 Australian Nationals Photo Collection
 

A few more highlights

We can't end without pointing out a few other highlights.
- Sean Wroe's win in the 400m. A new PB and very close to breaking 45 seconds.  A huge breakthrough season for Wroe.
- Tamsyn Lewis's victory in the 400m, with Monique Williams (NZ) 0.4 of a second behind.
- Dani Samuels continued good form in the women's discuss.
- Fabrice Lapierre's huge 8.29 m long jump
- Sally McLellan's cotniued dominance.
- Linda Allen's jump of 13.48m to take out the women’s triple jump.
- Petrina Price's victory over long term rival Ellen Pettitt in the women's high jump.
- Linda Allen's jump of 13.48m in the women's long jump.
- Tristin Thomas's continued brilliance in the men's 400m Hurdles.

 

We look forward to covering our stars as they travel the globe in search of qualifying times or to perform for the green and gold. So make sure to get your daily dose of Runner's Tribe, a website run by runners, for runners, with the goal of being the most entertaining athetics website in the world.

'At the start of an Olympic cycle we need to blood athletes'
Eric Hollingsworth

With an Olympic bronze medal to her name from the Athens Olympics, there is no doubt that Deena Kastor hopes to climb back onto the Olympic podium in Beijing, hopefully standing just a little higher than four years ago. Kastor, the American record holder over the half marathon (67:34) and marathon (2:19.36) as well as winner of the 2005 Chicago marathon is definitely America's greatest hope for Olympic marathon gold since Joan Benoit-Samuelson won in 1984. We catch up with Deena to find out what's happening and what's new.

RunnersTribe: Deena, thanks for your time. How is the training going and where are you currently based?

DK: Training is going well as I prepare for the marathon in Beijing. I am currently at home in Mammoth Lakes, California. The intense training at 8000 feet altitude gets me ready for major competitions. I will be heading to China for the last three weeks of training.

Montage of Deena Kastor's accomplishments

RT: Is the volume and intensity still there or have you started to back off and taper? What sort of sessions have you been doing?

DK: I am definitely in the height of my training. I won't back off until the week of the race. My weeks consist of long runs, short or long interval sessions and tempo runs. The next two weeks of training look very challenging, but after that the bulk of the work will be done.

RT: Four years ago in Athens you dealt with the brutal heat by employing very successfully the tactics of going out conservatively and coming home strong over the last 10 km. As everyone knows there were blow ups left right and centre in that race. It seems that there is a good chance that Beijing will be quite similar with the humidity and pollution? Do you plan on using similar tactics?

DK: I can't run the same race in Beijing because I want a better outcome this time around. I will run a bit more aggressively since there are no hills to challenge us in Beijing..

Deena Kastor -Road to Beijing

RT: Have you been doing anything special to prepare yourself for the conditions in Beijing?

DK: Living in the dry mountains I have had to manipulate my training environment by wearing excess clothing. It is a bit uncomfortable, but worth the adaptation.

RT: You have been on the circuit for quite some time now. Do you have any plans post-Beijing?

DK: I really hope to run an early spring marathon. Since Beijing won't be a particularly fast race, I look forward to racing a fast marathon early 2009.

Deena Kastor at 25 mile mark of Boston Olympic marathon trials

RT: You seem to spend a lot of time training at altitude. Is this something that is just a necessity for an elite distance runner these days? I mean, it's rare to find anyone that's truly successful that doesn't spend the majority of their time in the mountains?

DK: I really believe in altitude living and training. All of the world records in the middle distance and distance events are held by people that train at altitude. There are many physiological benefits to living and training "high", but the greatest benefit is being in a simple environment and living in a town full of athletic people who support our profession.

RT: What are your plans from now until Beijing? How long before the race will you arrive in town?

DK: I am almost exactly 1 month out from the race. At this time I am pretty focused on getting these next few weeks of intense training in. I am even more focused on the rest and recovery in order to maintain my health from now until the Games. I look forward to heading to coastal China with the US Track team for my final preparations.

RT: Deena, thanks for your time. All the best for Beijing and we hope to catch up with you again soon.

Deena's website

'To describe the agony of a marathon to someone who's never run it is like trying to explain colour to someone who was born blind'
Jerome Drayton