07-05-2013, 06:58 PM
Nova Scotia Olympian Geoff Harris gets to travel the world in his quest for ever improving performances against the best in his 800 metres specialty. As part of that quest he will be going home to Halifax this spring to compete in the 2013 Aileen Meagher International Track Classic on Sunday, June 9, at Saint Mary's Huskies Stadium.
Harris chased good weather this past winter training outdoors in Victoria, BC, and Phoenix Arizona, under the watchful eye of another Nova Scotian, Canadian middle distance coach Heather Hennigar. Since his "life altering experience" in the 800 at the London Olympics, he has devoted himself full-time to an athletics life, making a commitment to the work and lifestyle required to elevate his world ranking in the event.
The goal this year is the World Championships in Moscow in August, but first he must qualify through the Canadian Championships in Moncton just two weeks after the Meagher event in Halifax.
"The Meagher fits very well this year in preparing for nationals" says Harris. "The level of competition is always high. This sets me up well to put in a good effort before the Canadian Championships."
Harris' 2013 schedule is itself a step towards his next big goal, the 2016 Olympics in Rio. He recognizes what is necessary to get there.
"The key is commitment, consistent training, healthy eating, and proper recovery. It takes years to get anywhere in this sport, so patience is the key. There will always be doubts and doubters. It's how you handle those that makes or breaks you in running."
Geoff Harris showed in his chase to qualify for the 2012 Olympics that he has what it takes to compete on a world level. His passion for running has only grown since as he exclaims "I truly can't imagine doing anything else!"
Watch for that passion to be further displayed at the Aileen Meagher in Halifax on June 9.
Harris chased good weather this past winter training outdoors in Victoria, BC, and Phoenix Arizona, under the watchful eye of another Nova Scotian, Canadian middle distance coach Heather Hennigar. Since his "life altering experience" in the 800 at the London Olympics, he has devoted himself full-time to an athletics life, making a commitment to the work and lifestyle required to elevate his world ranking in the event.
The goal this year is the World Championships in Moscow in August, but first he must qualify through the Canadian Championships in Moncton just two weeks after the Meagher event in Halifax.
"The Meagher fits very well this year in preparing for nationals" says Harris. "The level of competition is always high. This sets me up well to put in a good effort before the Canadian Championships."
Harris' 2013 schedule is itself a step towards his next big goal, the 2016 Olympics in Rio. He recognizes what is necessary to get there.
"The key is commitment, consistent training, healthy eating, and proper recovery. It takes years to get anywhere in this sport, so patience is the key. There will always be doubts and doubters. It's how you handle those that makes or breaks you in running."
Geoff Harris showed in his chase to qualify for the 2012 Olympics that he has what it takes to compete on a world level. His passion for running has only grown since as he exclaims "I truly can't imagine doing anything else!"
Watch for that passion to be further displayed at the Aileen Meagher in Halifax on June 9.