Men

Michael Shelley delivered a surprise to Australia’s track and field team at the Commonwealth games in Deli last year when he streaked to silver in the marathon. Buzzing after his medal, Shelley continued with his success by posting two sub 2.12 performances, running 2.11.38 in the London marathon and 2.11.23 (PB) in Amsterdam in October. Other contenders for the available spots for the marathon include 2011 World champion representative Jeff Hunt. Driven to prove critics wrong after finishing his 2011 season on a low note, Hunt is a true contender. Making his debut at the marathon distance in 2010, Hunt posted a 2.11.00 performance at Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon (JPN), which saw him come 3rd, running the fastest marathon on debut and breaking the NSW record. This season, we should once again see this aspiring Olympian run another sub 2.12 Olympic A qualifier.

Lee Troop made the switch to marathons, after representing Australia in the 5000m at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and at the 1999 World Championships. He has also represented Australia in the marathon at three Olympic Games. Troop is one of only five Australian marathoners to have broken the 2:10 mark (2:09.49 at Lake Biwa marathon in 2003). 

Other contenders looking to book themselves a ticket to London in this event is Shaun Forrest, Marty Dent (2.13.27), Scott Wescott (2.12.56) Clint Perret and New Zealander Paul Martelleti who already have B Olympic standards.

Women

For the first 5 months of 2011, Commonwealth bronze medalist Lisa Weightman had a significant amount of time away from training due to injury. Moving forward again Weightman achieved in October 2011, an Olympic A qualifying standard of 2:29:23 well under the 2.32 mark set by Athletics Australia. Shy of her personal best of 2:28:48 which she set in winning the 2010 Nagano International Marathon, Weightman will have to wait for confirmation from selectors to see if she will make her second Olympic team. Others in a hunt for a place in the Olympic team include 2008 Olympian Kate Smythe (2.28.51), Lisa Flint who burst onto the Australian running scene in 2009, running 2:34.08 to win the Melbourne Marathon and secure a Commonwealth Games A qualifier and three time Olympian Benita Willis (2.22.36) who finished 21st in the marathon at the 2008 Olympics.  Kim Smith New Zealand’s national record holder over the 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m, halve marathon and marathon (2.25.21) smashed the Olympic qualifying time in finishing 5th at the recent New York marathon and looks to make her second Olympic games team for New Zealand this coming year.

It would also be great to see Anna Thompson in marathon shape once again trying to lower her 2.33.20 PB and also 2006 Commonwealth games representative Lauren Shelley running again close to her 2.33.42 best.

Do not discount possible marathon debutants and World half marathon representatives Nikki Chapple, Jess Trengrove, Cassie Fien and World university half marathon representative Clare Geraghty who made her marathon debut in Melbourne in 2011. 10,000m runner Lara Tamsett also has aspirations to become a marathon runner and has been quoted saying  “I’ve had a few thoughts about if I’m not fast enough for the 10,000m in London and should I just bite the bullet now and try a marathon early next year and see what happens?”

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Last season you got your first taste of racing in Europe.

What are the main differences between racing in Australia, America and Europe?

(e.g style of racing, benefits- prize money, appearance fees, accommodation, more aggressive competitors, quality races, travel etc.),

The difference between racing in Australia and America is that the field in America is a lot deeper. I found this to be a bit of shock when I embarked on my first season in the US in 2007. I went from placing third in the Austalian Champs, to getting knocked out of the quarter-final of the collegiate nationals. I did come on the following year to place 4th at collegiate nationals- so that gives you an idea of the standard of US college athletes alone. In America you also have the team dynamic, compared to the individualization of Australian track and field. After college athletes are allowed to accept prize money, and basically need an agent if they are planning on competing at the top level, in America or Europe. The agent can help with this, but there's less pampering than in college- you need to be a bit more independent while travelling. Meet directors can arrange accomodation/transport, but there is no team physio with you or daily allowance placed in your hand. Nonetheless, it's part of the fun, which I found in Europe. The quality of the races is highest in Europe. 

 
Are there any lessons you have learnt from racing and training in different countries?

My experiences from running in different countries have been in different stages in my life- high school, collegiate and then professional. But the main thing to realize is that wherever you go, it's going to be different to what you're used to...so you just need to relax and take it as any other race.

At the Australian nationals this year the announcer mentioned your 2011 NCAA indoor performance. For people that do not know, you placed third in the mile at NCAA this year behind teammate Jordan Hasay and posted a personal best of 4.33.76 to help the University of Oregon win their second straight NCAA title and run yourself into the record books for running the third fastest time in school history 

Firstly can you explain a little about what NCAA is?

The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Assoc.) has 3 divisions- with D1. being of the highest standard. It's made up of several sports, with each university ranking itself in a different division- depending on the standard set to compete on that team. For athletics there are 3 seasons- Outdoor, Indoor, Cross Country. Each team begins by entering whatever meets they choose, and then go on to the conference championships (localized states), regional championships (a third of the country) and then the show-down, for those qualified schools! To "score" for the team, an individual must place in the top 8- 10 points for 1st, 1 for 8th.

Is it true that if you win or you team wins a NCAA that you receive a NCAA ring?

Yes, the winners all get championships rings- at conference and NCAA titles. They are custom made with the team logo.

What was the significance of you coming third at NCAA, your team winning the title and for you to run the third fastest time over the mile in school history?

For me personally, it was such a kick to finally prove myself as a top athlete in the NCAA, after so many years of treading water.  I felt privileged to have been part of the Oregon team success. It was quite surreal, considering what a turn-around it was from the first year result. I think the program will continue to gain momentum over the years. 

In 2009 you were interviewed by Athletics-gold and you said in one of your responses My goal for years has always been to make the 2012 Olympics. While I'm still young, my prime focus will remain the 800m, as I want to retain my speed. Realistically I'll probably end up being a 1500m runner, but by no means do I want to move up from that! 5k it is too far for me.

Do you still call yourself an 800m runner or since your 4.05 result do you consider yourself more a1500m runner?

I consider myself a 1500m runner (since 2010), with the engine of an 800m runner. I decided to give it a proper go after watching the 2009 NCAA finals from the stands, and comparing the events.

At the Australian national championships this year you demonstrated your speed in the 1500m final against Kaila McKnight and Georgie Clarke, where you jumped to the lead 400m to go and kicked again in the last 200m holding off the girls to win the championship title.

Do you believe that speed is your main weapon on the track?

I think it's advantageous to have (speed) in the 1500m, as many of these championship races come down to the last lap. That's one thing I like about the 1500m- it's versatility. You must have the aerobic fitness to keep up, but speed is important for adjusting the pace; as is strength, to hold it. It's something that I continue to work on.

What things do you do in your training to try to maintain and develop your speed?

I do some fast strides after my training run once a week, and some similar turn-over work before my tempo runs. Also gym work 2x / week, to help with power.

This coming season you will be racing the likes of flying Dutch women Susan Kuijken (4.05.86) who is based in Australia and trains under Bruce Scriven. She was also a college athlete having raced for Florida State University.

Do you feel racing against past and present American college athletes, that they have a somewhat different racing style then non-collegiate athletes? (e.g. more aggressive, do not sit and kick etc.).

I feel that the American collegiate races and professional races are different ball games to one other. The best competitors are those that are able to adjust to shifting conditions. In college, I think you have less hit-outs at a fast time than you do in say, professional, paced races. So in my first race or 2 out of college, I lacked some confidence in how fast I could go. But you adjust quickly to the temperament of the race.

Are you excited knowing that another 4.05, 1500m runner will be pushing you and the field this coming Australian season, especially with London Olympics on your mind?

Yes, I look forward to some competitive races. It will be good to gain some tactical experience, and hopefully hit it out at a fast time.

 

Athlete Profile

 

Name: Zoe Buckman

 

Nick name:

 

Age: 23

 

Coach: Nic Bideau

 

Training Partners: Kaila McKnight, Charlotte Browning

 

Sponsors:Nike

 

Personal bests:2:02.5, 4>05.05

 

Career Highlights: Qualifying for London Olympics, 2011 Australian Title, 2011 NCAA Indoor bronze

Best piece of advice you have ever received: To tell myself, "It doesn't matter whether I plough through this or claw through this, I'm going to get through it".

 

Preferred Pre-race meal: Keep it simple- sandwich 

 

If you had an important 1500m race on Saturday, what quality sessions would you do that week to sharper up�.. I don't taper a lot. Usually something at threshold pace and then some faster short strides.

 

If I was not a runner I would be a�.. A post-grad student/ museum curator/ psychologist

 

I am a front runner or a sit and kick chick: I like to be able to do both.

 

Briefs or tights: Briefs

 

Superstitions: Not very superstitious, but believe somewhat it karma.

 

After a Sunday long run I like to���. Brunch, go out for coffee or relax somewhere outdoors- a beach or park

 

Favourite Food: Seafood, Steak

 

Favourite track to race on: Hayward Field, Eugene

 

Favourite meet to race at: Pre-Fontaine Classic 

 

Favourite Moive: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (to name one)

           

Favourite Music / Band: Chillout, RnB

           

What TV series are you abusing at the moment: Don't watch a lot, bit of a book nerd right now :)

 

 

If I made the 2012 Olympic team I would celebrate by�Jumping in the lake at Albert Park (just kidding)...probably visiting my family before I head overseas

 

After a big competition and long season I take time off and enjoy� Going to big events, doing touristy things around a city

 

What I miss most about college life and America is�. My friends, the local community

MEN

At the 2011 Melbourne Track Classic, Ben St Lawrence gave two- time world champion Bernard Lagat a shock, drawing level with 80m to go in the 5000m. Lagat won by only four strides in the end but St Lawrence clocking a personal best of 13:10.08 to beat several sub-13min men including Americans Chris Solinsky, Matt Tegencamp and Craig Mottram. A few months later, St Lawrence continued his good form by smashing the 10,000m national record at the Stanford Payton Jordan invitational meet. St Lawrence slashed almost five seconds from the previous mark, clocking 27min 24.95sec. The rate of improvement from this Sydney base runner has been phenomenal.

Since the qualifying period opened, St. Lawrence already holds a B Olympic qualifier over the 5000m and an A Olympic qualifier for the 10,000m.

Looking ahead towards London, Collis Birmingham is another contender that has chosen to focus on the 5000m rather than the 10,000m or the marathon. Birmingham says, "This year I'm focused on just getting fit because next year will be the biggest year you'll get in athletics." Looking to put his interrupted 2011 season behind him due to injury, Birmingham managed to finish off his 2011 season being the best placed Australian over the 5000m at the Daegu World championships. Birmingham already has one A Olympic qualifier under his belt having posted a 13.15.70. Hopefully we can see this 2008 Olympian continue again with his climb of improvements heading towards London.

Other athletes you need to keep your eyes open for over the 5000m and 10,000m this coming season is David McNeill and New Zealanders 2008 Olympic representative over the 5000m Adrian Blincoe and 2011 World championship finalist in the 5000m, Jake Robertson.

WOMEN

Two time 10,000m national title holder Eloise Welling’s sets her sights on making the London Olympics after her disappointing season ending in Daegu, which saw her withdraw from the women’s 10,000m due to injury. Welling’s, who has already run 31.41.31, achieving the Olympic A standard by 4 seconds. 

Other contenders looking to lower their personal bests to get closer to the Olympic 5000m (15:15.00) or 10,000m (31:45.00) A standard this season will be 2008 Zaptopek winner Lara Tamsett, 2011 open national cross country champion Emily Brichacek, Commonwealth games representative in the 5000m (2002) and 10,000m (2006) Anna Thompson, City to surf winners (2009) Melinda Vernon and Jess Trengrove (2011). 

After missing the entire XC season, im back into it, ripping out some kms, pumping some weights, lining up a few local races trying to get into some race fitness.

Cameron is sponsored by The Runner's Tribe. Made possible by    

 

After missing the entire XC season, im back into it, ripping out some kms, pumping some weights, lining up a few local races trying to get into some race fitness. Training has been going pretty well, doing some solid session's including some tough sand hill reps in boudi national park. Winter training was pretty light , trying to get a toe injury better and stay injury free, during this time I did a fair bit of cross training including swimming, gym and underwater rock running which is a real lungbuster. I've also become a lot more serious in stretching and icing and getting on top of little injuries before it becomes a major problem. Most of my sessions are run in Bouddi National Park including beach running with 1 or 2 track sessions, a fair bit of swimming with a couple of gym session's a week and some recovery icing session's. One of the greatest things about living/training on the Central Coast is the national parks and the beaches, Bouddi has magnificent views, reefs, shipwrecks, pounding surf, beaches, scenic coastal tracks, its just a wonderful environment to run in, its spiritually uplifting, so when you're running along one of the many beaches in Bouddi and you�re hit with a spray from the surf you can just breathe the salt air and you can feel your chest expand and you can feel the muscles in your leg tingle, its just makes you want to run. A usual daily discussion of Steve Prefontaines "Without Limits" passes the time. I'm stoked on running after any sort of session in Bouddi. Most hard session's are usually done in the arvo with easier ones in the morning so recovery is maximised. After any sort of hard sess it's recovery time which usually consists of a dive in the ocean, some gentle kicking in the water, a good surf, and laying on the beach with some beverages.



However the price to pay for Bouddi's breathtaking beauty is the difficulty of the terrain, lets just say I'd take 'The hill' at Nowra any day over a run in bouddi, it has some hectic hills, best summed up by the infamous 'Goat Track', forged on a steep mountainous climb that could have only originated in hell itself. When your toes bleed, that's running, when everything bleeds, that bouddi national park! Bouddi is also home of Trevor the bush turkey, a likeable young bush turkey, who we found injured one morning and nursed back to health, he usually joins for a couple kms before dropping us. Another great thing is having a very supportive coach- Kevin Wills who has come up with some unique principles of training to follow which keeps it interesting. Also having a great group of central coast runner�s notably the BMDB- Bringing middle distance back guys including Geoff Arnold, Cale Bowd, david Mainwaring, Tim Page, Dom an Ed Perry and Ben Guest.

Hopefully in the next few months I'll have a lot more time to train and get serious, with distraction�s such as the HSC etc out the way. Training now is starting to get more race specific including more fast track workout's and shorter, faster runs in general. I'm hoping to race well in the NSW 3km champs and run a fast time there and race consistently well throughout the season, hopefully clocking some world junior qualifier's and focus on that as a main goal in the long term.

Cam

 

'Most hard session's are usually done in the arvo with easier ones in the morning so recovery is maximised'
Cameron Page