Series25 Apr 2008


Pleased with relay opener

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Kerron Clement - 47.37 at USATF nationals (© Getty Images)

World champion Kerron Clement shares with the IAAF readers his opening race of the season, the 4x400m relay in Austin, Texas.

“After all the months of really hard training I have been doing out here in Los Angeles we finally got to test ourselves in a competition. We went out to the Texas Relays in Austin and ran a 4x400m relay.

“It went very well. I ran the anchor leg in a split in the mid 44 second range and our team finished third overall, I believe, in 3:04. Wallace Spearmon, Andrew Rock, Derrick Brew and myself made up the team. The teams were chosen by USATF coaches.

“As you know I am originally from Texas and I have a lot of friends in Austin. I was happy to see them and also my teammates who I haven’t seen for a long time. It was great to see everyone.

“I didn’t get down to Houston which is where I went to high school. I just came to run in the meet and then left the next day. Definitely it was good to finally race. As I have been getting in shape for the season I wanted to do the 400m in competition before running the 400m Hurdles. It’s all about conditioning.

“I must say I am pleased with the way my training is going right now.

“I am going to Penn Relays this weekend where I am running another 4x400m relay. Next week I will be going to Jamaica and running my first 400m Hurdles of the season there.

“Danny McFarland, will be there, Derek Williams of the US will be there. Those are the only ones I know right now.

“I am just going out to execute the plan that Bobby and I have worked on. I want to run very fast and get a good time down, get a good feeling going into the US Olympic trials. Anywhere around 48 flat, 47.9 or whatever, would be fine. That will give me a feeling of where I stand, and help me get confident with my steps.

“I also want to get confident using my alternating leg technique. I will do this for the first time in a meet. So we will see how that goes.

“If I alternate I will do it coming home. Practice makes permanent and you have to practice your non-dominant side to get the feeling and that’s what I have been doing, with drill after drill after drill. It's so your body remembers what to do when the time comes.

“I have settled pretty much in L.A. and I am just staying focused here. There have been no more celebrity sightings!

“My mother is still here with me. Between sessions we go shopping go to the movies and the mall and things of that nature. She is enjoying herself and I am enjoying having her here with me.

“The weather in LA is the same as in Florida and the facilities are the same. I am still thinking about buying property here. I have a real estate agent out here. They will call me and say they have this property do you want to look at it?  But I haven’t been able to go and look at houses or condos because I have been travelling. When I do have time I will go.

I still think this is going to be my year I don’t think that will change. Anything you do you have to have a positive attitude. Bye for now!”

-- Kerron!


 

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