Tom Smith back on track

Tom Smith

A NEW coach, tougher training regime and change in running style has Gisborne’s Tom Smith excited about his racing comeback in Auckland this weekend.

Smith, who will be representing Gisborne Athletics Club this season, moved to the big city in January to study towards a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation degree at Auckland University of Technology.

“After a semester I realised I wasn’t enjoying what I was studying and I’m now training fulltime under a new coach, Angus Ross,” said Smith, who won the senior boys’ 100 metres at the New Zealand secondary schools track and field championships at Wanganui last December despite pulling a hamstring 40 metres from the finish.

“Angus is the husband of heptathlete Sarah Cowley, who competed for New Zealand at the 2012 London Olympics,” Smith said.

“The training I’ve been doing this year has been the most difficult I have ever put myself through because of the volume that has been added and hours put in.

“But it’s been beneficial, especially with the frustrating number of injuries I’ve had over the past two years. Now I’m injury-free and the healthiest I’ve ever been.”

Smith, 19, said the increased training had helped him adapt to the next level — “focusing more on international competition”.

“It’s shown me where I need to be physically and mentally so I can compete with athletes at the highest level of track and field, rather then having a focus on domestic athletes and aiming for just a national gold medal.

“Over winter, Angus and I have been working at moulding my training so my body stays the healthiest it can be. This included giving a few different diets a go.

“We also changed the way I was running. I have been doing longer reps on the track in training sessions, ranging from 200 metres all the way to 800m, to maximise my speed, endurance and anaerobic capacity.

“I’ve also added a lot of gym work (weightlifting) to increase my strength and power, which is essential towards my speed.

Rubbing shoulders with international experienceSmith said training with athletes who had more international experience proved beneficial.

“It’s given me confidence knowing that if I can train at their level then I can compete at their level, whether it be nationally or internationally.”

Smith has not raced since his win at Wanganui.

“Words can’t describe how excited and ready I am for my 2015/2016 season to get under way. My coach, training squad and I have plans in gear to have a few races in Australia early next year.

“We also have our eyes on Europe and possibly Rio (Olympics), so the goal until then is to keep my body as healthy as possible and have a clear mindset on what needs to be achieved in order to reach the ultimate goal of competing in the Olympic Games, whether it be Rio 2016 or Tokyo 2020.

Smith is also excited to be representing Gisborne Athletics Club this season.

“I haven’t done that since I was 13, having been schooled in Waikato for five years. It will be an awesome experience to give something back to Gisborne athletics after all they have done for me, and helped me to where I am today.

“A huge goal for this season is to win a national gold medal in the open men’s 400m in April next year at Waitakere Stadium, and put Gisborne athletics on the map.”

Smith will be in action at Mt Smart Stadium this weekend in Athletics Auckland’s summer series.