|
Angie Smit - The smile on her face said it all as she crossed the finish line. Photo www.nesport.co.nz
|
Angie Smit hit a big personal best at the recent International Track Meet in Christchurch. In the 800m she posted her second A qualifying standard for World Junior Champs. She clocked 2min 5.50sec, two seconds faster than the world junior championships performance standard.
The smile on her face said it all as she crossed the finish line. In this interview she explains how the race went and how she targeted this race.
How did it feel to run such a big PB at the ITM?
I was really pleased to run such a big PB at the International Track Meet, because I hadn’t done an 800m PB since the 2009 Nationals and I really wanted to break that 2.07 barrier. To get a PB by almost two seconds meant so much to me; I could hardly believe it when I crossed the line. I definitely want to cut it down even more now though.
Were you hoping for this sort of time?
Yes, my coach Maria and I were really aiming for a PB for this meet. I didn’t think I would do it by quite that much though!
What about the competition and conditions?
The competition was great. It was a really good atmosphere, it was an exciting evening with lots of world class athletes there like Nick Willis, the conditions were good, it wasn’t windy, and it was a good field of athletes. It was really good having Amy there pace setting; she really helped us out by going through the 400m in 60 seconds. And it helped having Anna Roche really close behind because she made me push that much more. I really like racing in the evenings.
Tell me how the race went for you.
I was really focused before the race and was really aiming for a good time. I went hard from the gun and as we broke lanes down the back straight, I sat right behind Amy (the pacemaker). She led us through 400m in about 60 seconds, and Anna Roche was right behind me. I tried to increase the pace with 300 to go and pushed as hard as I could. I could see the clock as I was coming down the home straight and ran through the pain barrier as I knew then that I could get a PB if I kept pushing. I was so thrilled when I crossed the line, really exhausted, but really really happy as well!
Why do you think there’s been such a big improvement – what’s been happening in training?
My coach was peaking me for the International Meet and Nationals so I think that I peaked at the right time! And I had been doing a lot of speed work leading up to it, as well as the good base training.
Can we expect to see more of this sort of improvement in the future?
I hope so! I really want to lower my time again before World Juniors. And the competition in Canada should hopefully pull me through for some more PB’s, I hope!
Do you have a plan for another build up between now and the world junior champs?
Yes, my coach Maria will have a better idea of that plan though. I will do some cross country races as well as a good base build up and then into more speed work.
Who do you look to for inspiration?
Many great Olympians, including Nick Willis, Peter Snell, John Walker, and Eric Liddell. I am a Christian, and God is my greatest inspiration.
Are any of the other members of your family involved with sports?
Yes, my Dad is really into soccer, my younger brother is really into hockey and cricket. My older brother and sister aren’t so much into sport although they were more so when they were younger, and my brother still likes snowboarding and watching some sports. My Mum loves watching us kids’ sport and all my family is really supportive. |