Alex Rowe: RT Journals

Hi all!

My name is Alex Rowe and for those who don’t know me I am an eighteen year old 800m runner from Victoria. I have been asked to write a blog in which I will update once a month to tell you how my training and competitions are going.

I am coached by Justin Rinaldi, a former Australian 800m champion. Justin actually trains with me and believe me, he is still in great shape! I thought I’d start with a bit of background as to what I have achieved so far and what I have been doing since the end of the season.

My major achievements so far include:

• PBs: 800m 1:47.56, 400m 48.79
• 5^th place at the 2009 IAAF World Youth Championships
• National U20 800m Champion 2009 & 2010

I am currently completing year 12 at St. Kevin’s College and next year hope to go to university where I will be able to concentrate a lot more on my running.

After my domestic season finished on March 28^th 2010 with a second placing at the Victorian Open 800m Championships, I had a couple of weeks off before starting winter training. I have been looking forward to getting a good solid block of base training under my belt as last year I was unable to do so as I was preparing for World Youths. So far everything has gone to plan.

I have remained uninjured whilst competing well over cross country and also maintaining my speed. I have been competing in the APS cross country each week. Whilst I am not particularly quick over longer distances, I improved over the weeks getting noticeably stronger and fitter. The highlight of my winter included an 8:33 3km road relay split.

  
Cross country has now concluded and the APS Athletics racing is about to commence with weekly racing being staged, leading into the APS Final on October 23. One of my goals is to break the APS Open 800m record of 1:51.06. This will see me compete in the next couple of weeks for the school which I am really looking forward to!

I’ll keep you posted and thanks for taking an interest.