Zoe Buckman Interview: ‘On the Rise’

Tweet



Times could be a changing for women’s middle distance running in Australia. We currently have 4 of Australia’s fastest 6 ever women actively competing;

-          Zoe Buckman: 3^rd all-time Australian with a 4:05.06 (set in 2011)

-          Lisa Corrigan: 4^th all-time Australian with a 4:05.25 (set in 2007)

-          Kaila McKnight: 5^th all-time Australian with a 4:05.65 (set in 2011)

-          Georgie Clarke: 6^th all-time Australian with a 4:06.50 (set in 2005)

Zoe Buckman is the latest Aussie out of this group to burst onto the scene. Fresh out of college and full of experience from a successful few years with the University of Oregon; Buckman just missed out on selection for the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, with selectors using their discretion to leave her out of the team.  Buckman didn’t let this disappointment sway her rise, posting a fast 4:05.06 in Rieti on September 10, just a week after the world champs concluded. Buckman finished 9^th in the race, one place ahead of the world champion, Jennifer Simpson. Her time was an A- qualifier for the London Olympics.

We caught up with Zoe post Rieti…. 

RT: Zoe, first of all congratulations on your 4:05.06 performance in Rieti. You must have been pretty happy with the time. How did the race pan out?

ZB: Thank you. The race didn’t pan out quite how I envisaged, as I like to get out well and be somewhere near the front. There was a bit of a gap between the first two and the rest of the field, so I found myself a bit caught back. From then on I just tried to relax on the rail and stay alert, but went through the first 800m a bit slower than what I wanted. I also would have liked to have closed a bit stronger than 64/65 but maybe the legs were a bit race-rusty. Nonetheless it was nice to finally get the time.

RT: Did the disappointment of not being selected for the 1500m for the World Championships in Daegu motivate you that extra little bit to post a fast time?

ZB: Yes and no. The motivation was already there, because I knew that I had a bit left in the bag. It is normal to feel a little deflated under those circumstances. But you can’t allow yourself to feel defeated. That’s a choice. The bottom line is that I tried not to let a setback determine my course, and just keep going the way that I had been.

RT: The time takes you to number 3 on the Australian all-time list. It is exciting to think that Australia has both yourself and Kaila McKnight pushing for that number one spot. How important is having Kaila around to your own performance?

ZB: Having a training partner who I also compete against is nothing new to me. When I considered where to move after Oregon, this played strongly into my decision. I wanted an environment similar to what I was used to, and surrounding myself with highly successful athletes is a plus.

RT: Your non-selection and unsuccessful appeal for the recent world champs in Daegu got a fair bit of attention and press. What did the Athletics Australia (AA) selectors tell you as to the reasoning behind the non-selection?

ZB: That all factors were taken into consideration when exercising their discretion, in accordance with the selection policy.

RT: Have you heard anything from AA since the 4:05.06 in Rieti?

ZB: No. But we are a good few months away from the next selections J

RT: What is it about Rieti and fast times?

ZB: As far as I know, athletes go there committing to running fast, more than in other places. The conditions help too.

RT: What are your views on selecting athletes with B standards whenever possible? Do you understand why AA maintain their hard-line stance on selection?

ZB: I understand that the policy is aimed to encourage athletes to hit the A mark, and send the strongest team possible. Of course the B-qualifier will be subject to discretion, otherwise there would just be one standard to hit. As long as there is consistency with the criteria, there shouldn’t be any problems. Having missed the experience of world championships, I’m not in the optimum position as a potential Olympic contender...but I try to find a positive for every negative. Now I have a qualifier out of the way, and the goal is not just to be there but to be competitive.

RT: Where will you base yourself for the next 11 months, leading into the London Olympics?

ZB: I am returning to Australia and basing myself in Melbourne.

RT: Is Nic Bideau your coach and manager? How are you finding the transition away from the collegiate system?

ZB: Yes. It is has worked out very well. I’ve taken 4 seconds off my PB and nothing in the training has changed dramatically. If it has, I haven’t noticed! I’ve stayed healthy and learnt more about living as a “professional” athlete. Striking that balance between focusing and staying relaxed. In college, there is always the distraction of studying full time and racing 3 seasons of championships, which means that you come to rely heavily on routine. Here there is the training routine, but travelling around Europe forces you to become a bit more flexible. My first 2 races out of college were overseas (Australia and Korea). Getting the opportunity to do that, and being able to pull it off too, gives you more confidence on the international scene.

RT: In hindsight was the US collegiate system the right decision for you? What advice would you give to an 18 year old considering the move?

ZB: Yes! Of course. The NCAA is a much deeper field than I found in Australia, so it was eye-opening in that respect. The races are tough. You need to work on how to be tougher than everyone else, run with your head (as many of the races are tactical) and handle the pressure of competing at the championship level. A lot of these lessons I learnt the hard way. I suppose that’s inevitable. But for me, this only increased my determination and passion in the sport. Other than that, it’s a valuable experience for developing interpersonal skills, diligence and resilience, that comes with being on a team. The advice that I would give to anyone considering the move: Go on a recruiting trip (look at the dorms). Get yourself as comfortable as possible early on there. Consider the 4 years ahead of you and be organized. It’s a demanding lifestyle. The more settled you are, the easier it will be to figure out how to manoeuvre yourself on the track.