Kane Grimster: RT Journals

My season of track has ended and I’m really happy with what I have been able to achieve. This season my focus was predominantly on the 1500m, with a goal of making World Juniors, however I also wanted to compete well, be consistent, stay injury free and most importantly enjoy my running.

Briggs Classic: 8^th, 3.45.80 (PB)

Sydney Track Classic: 13^th, 3.46.39

Under 20 Nationals Selection Trial for World Juniors: 3^rd, 3.47.97

Victorian Open Championships: 3^rd, 3.48.73

It was a very interesting and valuable experience racing in the Sydney Track Classic and Briggs Classic because unlike all my racing before I have been towards the front of the pack, however in fields like this  where you’re up against such quality runners who are quicker than myself you really have to take a different approach and just be confident within  yourself, because even though I’d love to be running up the front, I know I can’t just yet. It was these two meets where I ran my fastest two times yet felt most uncomfortable in a situation I had never experienced before which I felt was a good sign for how I had dealt with the occasion. I didn’t make World Juniors in the 1500m, I came 3^rd in what I felt was my best race for the season with congratulations to Todd Wakefield and Brett Robinson on 1^st and 2^nd and making the team for Juniors. I was originally going to have my break after Under 20 nationals but with nationals being my only race, with both Sydney and Briggs being more time trial races where I just had to hang on, I was really eager to get into another strong race and I knew it would be a more tactical test for myself. So I raced at the Victorian Open State Championships where I came 3^rd behind two very strong and experienced runners in Brenton Rowe and Grant Page..

After the Open State championships I’ve had 2 weeks of easy running every second day which has worked out really well with the school holidays at the same time. This has given me time to catch up with friends who I had put on hold whilst I was racing and really just refresh mentally and turn my focus to school. I’m really excited about having a strong winter after missing most of it last year with World Youths. Juggling running and school can be difficult but I’m thankful to have very understanding family, coach (Nicky Frey) and school (The Peninsula School) which makes it a lot easier and as for a tip I’d just say be honest with yourself, your teachers, your coach, your family, and don’t be afraid to say “hey, I’m really busy at the moment can I  have an extra day to do that” because I’ve found they are usually very understanding and want to help. As for what I’ll be doing post school I still haven’t decided,  but with my family and Nicky  I’ll be assessing all options, whether it be to stay in Australia or to go to college in America, at this stage I don’t know. My next major goal is World Junior Cross in Spain in 2011, so I’m looking forward to strong winter and I’m feeling ready to increase my training to the level I need to compete well at World Junior Cross.

Monday: 50min run

Tuesday: Track- 1km, 800m, 600m, 400m, 200m; with 4min, 3min, 2min, 1min recovery. With my track work Nicky and I like to be race specific so for this set I do my 1km at 3km target personal best pace so 2.43, then 800m same 3km pace 2.10, 600m is 1500m pace 1.30, 400m is 800m pace 55 and finally the 200 is whatever I have left, which is usually not much or about 25/26. 

Wednesday: 60min run

Thursday: 8 gravel 800ms with a 1minute break

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 10min warm up, 20min threshold, 10min warm down

Sunday: 80min run

               
Thanks for reading,

Kane Grimster