Fearnleys Running Group athlete Nathan Pearce was thrilled
to find out that he has been selected to represent Australia next month at the IAAF
World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang.
18-year-old Nathan from Williamstown qualified for the
national team following his fifth place finish in the 8k event at the XC trials
in Canberra.
The middle distance runner and FRG athlete has long dreamt
of representing his country at an international event and thanks to the
guidance of his coach Keith Fearnley will soon have the opportunity to do so.
“I’m very excited to be selected, I wasn’t sure if it would
actually come true and now that it has it is a massive relief, as it’s been my
dream for so long and for it to come true is amazing.” said Pearce.
The Nike athlete, who joined FRG over three years ago in
order to improve his running style and develop in to a professional athlete
added: “I was training with a youth programmes in Williamstown when I felt that
I had outgrown the group and decided to join up with Keith Fearnley.
“I knew a few of Keith’s runners already, there was a good
atmosphere in the group and I knew Keith was helping his athletes produce good
results.”
“I enjoy being part Fearnleys Running Group because coaching
is set at a professional standard. The sessions are always varied, different
tracks, tempo and groups to help push you whilst still enjoying it.
Pearce has had to overcome a number of injuries over the
last few years but now feels like those problems are behind him and he is ready
to step up to senior level.
“I suffered a stress fracture to the phema in 2013 and
missed half of the track season that year. However this gave me a head start
when I returned focused on for the cross country,” Pearce continued.
“I’ve had no major issues since that injury, so I’m heading
in to the cross country fit and firing.
“I went up to Mount Beauty at the start of this year for a
training camp under Keith. It was really useful in marking my progression and
getting in to the best shape possible.
“At the Cross Country Trials I felt like this was my first
competition as a senior athlete, it felt like things were getting serious
looking around at the athletes I was up against.
“I knew the field was strong, but Keith told me to stay
calm, take it out slow and watch how things pan out. I felt comfortable
throughout the race and the group wasn’t too spread out. “
At first the young athlete was disappointed to finish fifth
at the XC Trials, however he soon realized that he had done enough to make the
team and is now looking forward to traveling to China to participate in the XC Championships.
Pearce beamed: “My original goal was just to make the team,
so what I do from now on is just a bonus.
“I would like to go in to the race feeling competitive and
hopefully a top 50 finish is on the cards but that ‘s going to take a lot of
hard work.
“As long as I have enjoyed it and feel like I have nothing
left nothing out on the course I’ll be happy.
