Mark Keown

I blogged recently about being a sports parent and the challenges. Yesterday my youngest won a NZ title for the 1500m. It was a good effort. She was the youngest in the U17 field and squeaked home in a sprint finish. It was her first national title after 7 podium finishes in road, cross country or track. She was thrilled. She needed to crack 4.32 to make the NZ team for the youth champs in Czech Republic. Would you believe she missed by .29 running a 4.32.29. Even more frustrating is that this is the third time she has cracked the IAAF standard of 4.35. NZ has set the standard higher with the hope that those that make it will get through to the second round. She has a month so here's hoping her day will come. It is bitter-sweet though; she beat one of her older sisters in the same race! Two years ago the older one was winning national titles but she has grown heaps and has not regained her strength. This is common in female athletes and her younger sister may go through the same ch...

One of the roles in life I never anticipated was being a parent of kids who are able at sport. Today my youngest has flown to Wellington on her own at age 14 to race in the Capital Classic 15oom. A few months ago she had the honour of winning the North Island Colgage Games 1500m and was approached by the Chairman of the Board of Athletics NZ who told her about qualifying for the World Youth Champs. Her PB at the time was 4.39 and she needed to run 4.32 before April 8 to qualify. Excited she came home and after a holiday, last week fronted up at the Auckland Champs. She managed to knock a second off her PB on Saturday running 4.38. She then raced on Sunday winning the 3000m and then ran in the Porritt Classic in Hamilton on Tuesday. This time she clocked a 4.34.6 meaning she needs to run 2.61 seconds faster to make it. Today she has flown down to Wellington to have a go. She is brave and determined. We are philosophical; she may make it, she may not. Even if she qualifies she may not be...