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Jenny Blundell: The Next Generation
by Chris Wainwright
When it comes to women's 800m running in Australia the topic of conversation usually centers around the how old the Australian record is and why indeed it still stands the test of time. The fact is that Charlene Rendina was simply an amazing runner, who moved up from being a quality 400m runner to an outstanding 800m runner.
Rendina's Australian record of 1.59.0h set back in Melbourne in 1976 was a testament to her punishing training sessions, which involved gruelling speed work based on European principles. Combined with her natural talent, Rendina went onto represent Australia at two Olympic Games (1972 and 1976) which saw her finish 6th in the final of the 400m in 1972 (51.99sec) and 5th at the semi final stage of the 800m (2.00.29) in 1976.
So 34 years have passed since we saw Rendina produce that amazing performance over the two laps in Melbourne and in between we have actually only seen a further three athletes even break the magical (by Australian standards) two minute barrier - Tamsyn Lewis (PB: 1.59.21), Margaret Crowley (PB: 1.59.73) and more recently Madeleine Pape (PB: 1.59.92) {Note: Susan Andrews also ran a 1.59.8h in 2000, but it was in a mixed race}.
The obvious runner to break Rendina's record was always Lewis, especially with her sub 52 second 400m speed, but for a number of reasons it just didn't happen for her. On the other hand Crowley was more of a 1500m specialist (PB: 4.01.34), while 26 year-old Pape has only been running at the highest level for the past five years and can still improve.
With Pape now the only athlete with a realistic chance of challenging the Australian record in the near future we need to look to the next generation of 800m runners in Australia to see if there is a future star in the waiting. The exciting part is that there are some quality runners all aged under 22 that are ready to make their mark on the event.
The list of athletes is lead by the recently crowned Australian Champion in Katherine Katsanevakis. The 21 year-old has just recently started to show the form that had her ranked as one of the best Australian juniors in 2006 (PB of 2.04.37 as an 18 year-old), with this being clearly evident in her dominant display at the Victorian Championships where she finally broke her PB with a 2.03.04 performance.
Joining the list are the likes of Trychelle Kingdom (PB: 2.04.88 and 3rd at the 2010 Australian Championships), Sianne Toemoe (PB: 2.03.94 set this year) and junior Selma Kajan (who is currently coming back from an injury but ran 2.05.19 in 2009 as an 18 year-old and was the Australian junior champion).
All three athletes mentioned above, Kingdom, Toemoe and Kajan are extremely talented athletes and will be the ones to watch over the coming years, although they will also have to keep an eye out for two extremely talented 16 year-olds in Jenny Blundell and Christie Pearson.
At the recent Australian junior championships Blundell blew her rivals away (including another junior talent in Bronte Gange) and in the process ran a very fast 2.06.57. For Pearson (who missed the Championships with an injury) her personal best of 2.07.52 came when she actually defeated Blundell at the 2009 Australian All-Schools Championships in Hobart.
All of these athletes and their recent performances suggest that it is not all doom and gloom for women's middle distance running in Australia, and more specifically the 800m. In saying this we actually caught up with the newly crowned Australian junior champion over the two laps, Jenny Blundell (pictured left), to discuss her progress over the past two years and her ultimate selection to represent Australia at the upcoming World Youth Olympics in Singapore (which will take place in August).
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In December 2008 you also won your 4th straight PSG title in Canberra and just before Christmas you again broke through the 2.10.00 barrier (when you ran 2.09.15 at a SKINS Meeting in Sydney). What were you feeling had contributed to such a big 2008? Were you feeling like you were maturing as an athlete at this point in your career (even though you were still only 14!)
JB
After I ran 2.09, I backed it up well, with 2.09s and 2.10s popping up from everywhere. I remember racing every weekend and just loving it. I knew that this was it, the start of my journey towards making an Australian team. I definitely was maturing as an athlete, learning about running, my body and how important they are to have it fit nicely in my life.
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When it comes to women's 800m running in Australia the topic of conversation usually centers around the how old the Australian record is and why indeed it still stands the test of time. The fact is that Charlene Rendina was simply an amazing runner, who moved up from being a quality 400m runner to an outstanding 800m runner.
Rendina's Australian record of 1.59.0h set back in Melbourne in 1976 was a testament to her punishing training sessions, which involved gruelling speed work based on European principles. Combined with her natural talent, Rendina went onto represent Australia at two Olympic Games (1972 and 1976) which saw her finish 6th in the final of the 400m in 1972 (51.99sec) and 5th at the semi final stage of the 800m (2.00.29) in 1976.
So 34 years have passed since we saw Rendina produce that amazing performance over the two laps in Melbourne and in between we have actually only seen a further three athletes even break the magical (by Australian standards) two minute barrier - Tamsyn Lewis (PB: 1.59.21), Margaret Crowley (PB: 1.59.73) and more recently Madeleine Pape (PB: 1.59.92) {Note: Susan Andrews also ran a 1.59.8h in 2000, but it was in a mixed race}.
The obvious runner to break Rendina's record was always Lewis, especially with her sub 52 second 400m speed, but for a number of reasons it just didn't happen for her. On the other hand Crowley was more of a 1500m specialist (PB: 4.01.34), while 26 year-old Pape has only been running at the highest level for the past five years and can still improve.
With Pape now the only athlete with a realistic chance of challenging the Australian record in the near future we need to look to the next generation of 800m runners in Australia to see if there is a future star in the waiting. The exciting part is that there are some quality runners all aged under 22 that are ready to make their mark on the event.
The list of athletes is lead by the recently crowned Australian Champion in Katherine Katsanevakis. The 21 year-old has just recently started to show the form that had her ranked as one of the best Australian juniors in 2006 (PB of 2.04.37 as an 18 year-old), with this being clearly evident in her dominant display at the Victorian Championships where she finally broke her PB with a 2.03.04 performance.
Joining the list are the likes of Trychelle Kingdom (PB: 2.04.88 and 3rd at the 2010 Australian Championships), Sianne Toemoe (PB: 2.03.94 set this year) and junior Selma Kajan (who is currently coming back from an injury but ran 2.05.19 in 2009 as an 18 year-old and was the Australian junior champion).
All three athletes mentioned above, Kingdom, Toemoe and Kajan are extremely talented athletes and will be the ones to watch over the coming years, although they will also have to keep an eye out for two extremely talented 16 year-olds in Jenny Blundell and Christie Pearson.
At the recent Australian junior championships Blundell blew her rivals away (including another junior talent in Bronte Gange) and in the process ran a very fast 2.06.57. For Pearson (who missed the Championships with an injury) her personal best of 2.07.52 came when she actually defeated Blundell at the 2009 Australian All-Schools Championships in Hobart.
All of these athletes and their recent performances suggest that it is not all doom and gloom for women's middle distance running in Australia, and more specifically the 800m. In saying this we actually caught up with the newly crowned Australian junior champion over the two laps, Jenny Blundell (pictured left), to discuss her progress over the past two years and her ultimate selection to represent Australia at the upcoming World Youth Olympics in Singapore (which will take place in August).
We started the interview by talking about her fantstic win at the recent Australian Junior Championships......
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Firstly, thank-you for taking this opportunity to speak with RunnersTribe.
It has been an amazing journey so far for you and you’re still only 15 years old (although you do turn 16 in May). Your win at the recent Australian Junior Championships in a very fast time of 2.06.57 for the women’s 800m was simply brilliant. How did you react to the win and more importantly the time?
Jenny Blundell
Thank you and I must say I’ve never done anything like this before. Being so young and to win in Sydney in March was breathtaking, but yet it was a goal I knew was achievable. One week to go before the big race I was surprisingly calm and confident. I knew if I stayed focused I was going to run well. With the 1000m run and out of the way I was ready for the 800m final. With many family and friends watching, winning made victory taste so sweet, and I celebrated like it was the first event I’d ever won! With the first 400m split of 1.02, it was the second fastest I’d ever run my first lap in, rather than panicking, I kicked, pushing down the back straight hitting the 600m feeling fresh and as I approached the line, to be honest, it didn’t feel like a special time. Maybe sub 2.10? But when the time stopped I stood in shock! How could I have done a whole second better than my personal best! The adrenalin pumped through me for at least a week.
RT
You also won the 1000m at the Australian Junior Championships, with the win ensuring that you were selected for the upcoming World Youth Olympics in Singapore. It will be the first time that you will represent Australia on the “big stage”, how do you think you will handle the additional pressures of competing against the worlds best athletes? Was it always set up for you to run at the Youth Olympics if you won the 1000m in Sydney (because you could have also run for Australia at the World Juniors in July)?
JB
The 1000m was worth running, even though it was the first time I ran one on the track with a clock, which makes it something special. Everyone around me says the 1km suits me perfectly. World Juniors was the plan at first, and when the age changed and I was eligible to compete in Canada, the goal of winning that 800m became huge. It wasn’t until around late January, I think, Singapore came into the picture. It was always going to be hard to win both, but as soon as I did so, came a lot of decisions to be made. Singapore 1000m or Canada 800m? I had to be smart and mature about it. Either way, I knew this year I needed an international experience for France in 2011, to be able to compete to my best ability. Being so young, my coach, parents and I all decided the WJ dream could wait a little longer and baby steps are more important for my future as an athlete.
The 1000m was worth running, even though it was the first time I ran one on the track with a clock, which makes it something special. Everyone around me says the 1km suits me perfectly. World Juniors was the plan at first, and when the age changed and I was eligible to compete in Canada, the goal of winning that 800m became huge. It wasn’t until around late January, I think, Singapore came into the picture. It was always going to be hard to win both, but as soon as I did so, came a lot of decisions to be made. Singapore 1000m or Canada 800m? I had to be smart and mature about it. Either way, I knew this year I needed an international experience for France in 2011, to be able to compete to my best ability. Being so young, my coach, parents and I all decided the WJ dream could wait a little longer and baby steps are more important for my future as an athlete.
RT
Your coach, Valmé Kruger, has suggested in the past that the 2011 World Youth Championships was your no.1 priority. Did you therefore expect to be running such fast times in 2010, and in turn were the Youth Olympics and World Juniors even on your initial radar?
JB
Valmé knew that this season was going to lead to many opportunities, as it followed a successful cross country season. We both decided to put the work into action to get me on a team in 2010, but also very importantly for it to be a stepping stone for the years to come. Not just get that particular experience and throw away any chances for future ones. In 2010 we knew fast times were coming, naturally. Therefore to be able to produce those times became easier.
Valmé knew that this season was going to lead to many opportunities, as it followed a successful cross country season. We both decided to put the work into action to get me on a team in 2010, but also very importantly for it to be a stepping stone for the years to come. Not just get that particular experience and throw away any chances for future ones. In 2010 we knew fast times were coming, naturally. Therefore to be able to produce those times became easier.
RT
The first real sign of your star qualities came when you ran a blistering 2.11.16 over 800m back in 2006 (when you were only 12 years-old). (Note: This is still an Australian Primary Schools record). You had also run a PSG record of 2.19.67 in back 2005. Did you start to realize that you had a talent that could one day take you all the way to a World Championships or Olympic Games? Were you taking athletics seriously at this stage of your career?
JB
Those days when I was in primary school did make me realize this was something I was good at. I first noticed my running career through cross county. After winning the 3km event in '05 and '06 it always lead to great track times. Running cross country was vital for my foundation and ground work for my track. Running the 2.19 as an 11 yr old didn’t really seem like a big deal at the time. But running the 2.11 a year later made my love for the two lap event become a strong passion, and it was then I decided to challenge myself and put my name out there. From a young age I could handle pressure and pain really well and this was the key to my success, at least I think so? Running was actually a hobby more than a sport for me back then. I loved it. I had/ have a great squad of around 20 people which are like my family. 08/09 season was the first year of serious training and assessing.
Did You Know? Jenny also loves to water ski and actually has her own boat licence (ed. nice to know she chose athletics over water skiing!!)
Those days when I was in primary school did make me realize this was something I was good at. I first noticed my running career through cross county. After winning the 3km event in '05 and '06 it always lead to great track times. Running cross country was vital for my foundation and ground work for my track. Running the 2.19 as an 11 yr old didn’t really seem like a big deal at the time. But running the 2.11 a year later made my love for the two lap event become a strong passion, and it was then I decided to challenge myself and put my name out there. From a young age I could handle pressure and pain really well and this was the key to my success, at least I think so? Running was actually a hobby more than a sport for me back then. I loved it. I had/ have a great squad of around 20 people which are like my family. 08/09 season was the first year of serious training and assessing.
Did You Know? Jenny also loves to water ski and actually has her own boat licence (ed. nice to know she chose athletics over water skiing!!)
RT
Another big breakthrough came at the NSW All-Schools Championships in 2008, where you bettered your personal best by 2 seconds – running 2.09.06 for the victory. Again, what was it like seeing the time come up on the scoreboard, were you expecting to break the magical 2.10.00 mark that day?
JB
At this point, that moment in time was the first sign of achievement I’d had since the 2.11 in '06. I was out in the 07/08 season with a few aches and pains in my legs and mentally too. The 2.09 almost 2.08 high saw my pb drop a whopping 2 seconds, which meant so much to me, I had tears, and even my coach. That day I could feel I was in for a pb, 2.10 if I was lucky. I had spent all my time dwelling on that magic 2. 10 mark a couple of months after I ran that 2. 11 and I had gone through the emotions of, am I done? Will I ever even improve? Valmé had faith in me, and directed my focus into running my splits well rather than the 2.10 number at the end. And it worked!
At this point, that moment in time was the first sign of achievement I’d had since the 2.11 in '06. I was out in the 07/08 season with a few aches and pains in my legs and mentally too. The 2.09 almost 2.08 high saw my pb drop a whopping 2 seconds, which meant so much to me, I had tears, and even my coach. That day I could feel I was in for a pb, 2.10 if I was lucky. I had spent all my time dwelling on that magic 2. 10 mark a couple of months after I ran that 2. 11 and I had gone through the emotions of, am I done? Will I ever even improve? Valmé had faith in me, and directed my focus into running my splits well rather than the 2.10 number at the end. And it worked!
Below: 2010 Australian Junior Championships - Blundell 1st - 2.06.57
RT
In December 2008 you also won your 4th straight PSG title in Canberra and just before Christmas you again broke through the 2.10.00 barrier (when you ran 2.09.15 at a SKINS Meeting in Sydney). What were you feeling had contributed to such a big 2008? Were you feeling like you were maturing as an athlete at this point in your career (even though you were still only 14!)
JB
After I ran 2.09, I backed it up well, with 2.09s and 2.10s popping up from everywhere. I remember racing every weekend and just loving it. I knew that this was it, the start of my journey towards making an Australian team. I definitely was maturing as an athlete, learning about running, my body and how important they are to have it fit nicely in my life.
RT
Early on in 2009 you again bettered your personal best, with an excellent performance at the NSW Junior Championships (where you placed 2nd to another talented junior 800m runner – Selma Kajan). This time you ran 2.08.01. What was it like to know that you were mixing it with the best U/20 athletes in the country, and actually beating many of them? Were your long term goals changing at this point, or was it just exciting knowing that you were constantly improving with each run?
JB
I remember that my 2.08 (almost flat) was the last time I ran that season, ending on a boom. I had slashed my times down that season by 3 seconds, which I never thought was possible. But as I put myself out there, challenging the older athletes and learning from them too, this was a crucial moment. I knew Selma was going to run fast that day; I just had to try and stick with her for as long as I could. Being the great athlete she is, inspires me to look forward to my upcoming years and I know it is possible because I wasn’t the only one who peaked young early. As I arrived to meetings during the past years, I’ve seen names hold records which I’ve beaten or just missed, for example: Georgie Clarke and Suzie Walsham.
I remember that my 2.08 (almost flat) was the last time I ran that season, ending on a boom. I had slashed my times down that season by 3 seconds, which I never thought was possible. But as I put myself out there, challenging the older athletes and learning from them too, this was a crucial moment. I knew Selma was going to run fast that day; I just had to try and stick with her for as long as I could. Being the great athlete she is, inspires me to look forward to my upcoming years and I know it is possible because I wasn’t the only one who peaked young early. As I arrived to meetings during the past years, I’ve seen names hold records which I’ve beaten or just missed, for example: Georgie Clarke and Suzie Walsham.
RT
In all honestly up until the Australian All-Schools in December 2009 it all must have seemed easy for you – winning at will against athletes of your age, especially at Little Althletic competitions. That was until you ran against another extremely talented athlete Christie Pearson. In Hobart, Pearson managed to just pip you on the line 2.07.52 to 2.07.63 – how did you rate that particular experience? It might sound funny, but was it good to come 2nd?
JB
I’m a type of athlete who rates their performance on time, rather than placing. In the past winning was great, but if I wasn’t winning with a good run then I wasn’t happy at all. Every time I say this, people think I’m crazy, but winning to me, at this stage and time in my life isn’t as much of a priority compared to times or race management. Being extremely close to Christie as a friend and as a rival is good. I’ve always said: good competition is healthy competition. That day both of us were in such good moods I remember jumping around and mucking around afterwards because of the times we’d both run, being so close to that WJ qualifying time, it set my sight on the 800m in Sydney and to be ready and have been beaten going into it, if anything, I took it as an advantage. In Sydney, being so young compared to the rest of the field, made me the dark horse, which I loved.
I’m a type of athlete who rates their performance on time, rather than placing. In the past winning was great, but if I wasn’t winning with a good run then I wasn’t happy at all. Every time I say this, people think I’m crazy, but winning to me, at this stage and time in my life isn’t as much of a priority compared to times or race management. Being extremely close to Christie as a friend and as a rival is good. I’ve always said: good competition is healthy competition. That day both of us were in such good moods I remember jumping around and mucking around afterwards because of the times we’d both run, being so close to that WJ qualifying time, it set my sight on the 800m in Sydney and to be ready and have been beaten going into it, if anything, I took it as an advantage. In Sydney, being so young compared to the rest of the field, made me the dark horse, which I loved.
RT
So we’ve been through your career to this point, so the next question is - what will you be doing in the lead up to the World Youth Olympics later this year? How does your training change in the lead up to Singapore?
JB
Singapore is in August, one month later than WJ which gives me more and more time to be prepared. My training isn’t going to change dramatically, but Valmé is keeping it close to normal as possible. I’m doing all the same things as the rest of my squad. Cross Country is going to be the main training for me. Heading back onto the track earlier that ever though. I’m not concerned at all with this decision because I always know I come off cross country fit, healthy and strong.
Singapore is in August, one month later than WJ which gives me more and more time to be prepared. My training isn’t going to change dramatically, but Valmé is keeping it close to normal as possible. I’m doing all the same things as the rest of my squad. Cross Country is going to be the main training for me. Heading back onto the track earlier that ever though. I’m not concerned at all with this decision because I always know I come off cross country fit, healthy and strong.
RT
In terms of training, what’s included in your normal training week? Also, how long have you been with your current coach Valmé Kruger? Has your training changed considerably over the last 2-3 years?
JB
I have been training with Valmé ever since I started running. That is from around 9 years old up to this date. So a really good 6 coming to 7 years of a solidly built relationship an athlete and coach need to become successful. She is also like a second mum. My training has changed over the past 2 years, but not amazingly. A normal week for me, at this time would consist of:
I have been training with Valmé ever since I started running. That is from around 9 years old up to this date. So a really good 6 coming to 7 years of a solidly built relationship an athlete and coach need to become successful. She is also like a second mum. My training has changed over the past 2 years, but not amazingly. A normal week for me, at this time would consist of:
- Monday- session with Valmé at the oval
- Tuesday-morning run 30 min and strength and conditioning in the afternoon
- Wednesday- session with Valmé at the oval
- Thursday- morning run 30 min and swimming session (normal swimming)
- Friday- Rest
- Saturday- Race, at this time a 4 or 5km race
- Sunday- Long run, 1hr
RTYou’ve also run a very competitive 4.27.63 for the 1500m (when winning the U/18 NSW Championships this year), do you see yourself moving up to the 1500m later on in your career or do you prefer the two lap event?
JB
Valmé has definitely been eyeing up the 1500m for the future. But running the event as much and serious as the 800m isn’t necessary at the moment, and for my age. I only run the 1500m properly 2 times per season and I knew a run under 4. 30 was going to happen, with my 800ms getting quicker. I used to not like the 800m and prefer the 1500m when I was little, running 4. 43 when I was 11 years old at PSG but she sat me down and redirected my path to the 800m and, now I look back, it was the best decision we’ve made.
Valmé has definitely been eyeing up the 1500m for the future. But running the event as much and serious as the 800m isn’t necessary at the moment, and for my age. I only run the 1500m properly 2 times per season and I knew a run under 4. 30 was going to happen, with my 800ms getting quicker. I used to not like the 800m and prefer the 1500m when I was little, running 4. 43 when I was 11 years old at PSG but she sat me down and redirected my path to the 800m and, now I look back, it was the best decision we’ve made.
RT
How did you actually become interested in athletics? When did you start competing for Cherrybrook LAC?
JB
It’s an interesting story, I joined Cherrybrook Little Athletics when I was in u6’s but hated it, I had no friends, and couldn’t run more than half a lap without a stitch so I would stop and cry. I then shortly gave it up. It wasn’t until in 2003 I was 9 and I ran the cross country at school, zone, regional and then came 4th at state. At this point in time, I didn’t know what state was! I didn’t know who I was racing and how big the event was. After that race I then discovered Valmé and joined her squad. That’s how it all began.
It’s an interesting story, I joined Cherrybrook Little Athletics when I was in u6’s but hated it, I had no friends, and couldn’t run more than half a lap without a stitch so I would stop and cry. I then shortly gave it up. It wasn’t until in 2003 I was 9 and I ran the cross country at school, zone, regional and then came 4th at state. At this point in time, I didn’t know what state was! I didn’t know who I was racing and how big the event was. After that race I then discovered Valmé and joined her squad. That’s how it all began.
RT
Well you’ve now made it to the “big time” (making the Australian team for the World Youth Olympics), what would then be the ultimate goal before you hang up the spikes? Who do you look up to in terms of other track and field athletes, in Australia and internationally?
JB
It’s every athletes dream to compete at the Olympics or World championships, so it’s no surprise saying these are my goals. The ultimate goal would be, running under 2 minutes for the 800m and making a mark in the Australian history books. I must say watching the older men and women competing at the various flame tours and overseas at world championships has lifted my spirits that Australia is getting back on board with distance running on the world stage.
It’s every athletes dream to compete at the Olympics or World championships, so it’s no surprise saying these are my goals. The ultimate goal would be, running under 2 minutes for the 800m and making a mark in the Australian history books. I must say watching the older men and women competing at the various flame tours and overseas at world championships has lifted my spirits that Australia is getting back on board with distance running on the world stage.
RT
You were recently added to the 2010 Australian Junior Development squad (U/17), which includes athletes such as Liz Parnov and Ella Nelson. Does it become exciting just thinking about what could be possible over the next 5 to 10 years?
JB
Of course it does, these last 2 months have been so exciting, because everything is falling into the path I want to take for the future. I’m keen to take up the adventure over the next 5-10 years. The Olympics and World championships hopefully are along the way.
Of course it does, these last 2 months have been so exciting, because everything is falling into the path I want to take for the future. I’m keen to take up the adventure over the next 5-10 years. The Olympics and World championships hopefully are along the way.
RT
Well thanks again for taking the time to have a quick chat with Runnerstribe.com. We wish you all the very best in 2010, which includes the World Youth Olympics later this year. Good luck!
JB
Thanks again, I’m very excited.
Thanks again, I’m very excited.
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