Spikes05 Oct 2015


Hey, It's Shaunae

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Shaunae Miller

Bahamian Shaunae Miller confirmed her status as one of the world’s best when she won 400m silver at the world champs in Beijing. The 21-year-old, who is also ranked inside the top ten over 200m this year, tells us some of the best and worst about...

...the 400m?

Best

“The best thing about the 400m, unlike the 200m, is there is so much time to make up for any minor mistake in the race. Sometimes the race can go perfectly, sometimes it can go horribly wrong, but the key is to quickly make up for it. If you may have a bad start or move too slowly on the backstretch, you still have time to make up for it.”

Worst

“The worst thing about the 400m, and I think any other 400m runner would agree, is the way your body feels straight after the race. The lactic kicks in, your head starts rocking, your stomach starts twisting, and all you want to do is lie down and go to sleep, but you can’t.”

...being versatile?

Best

“The best thing about being versatile is if one event does not work for you, then you can resort to the next.”

Worst

“The worst thing is you can be conflicted as to where best to deploy your effort.”

...being tall?

Best

“The best thing about my height [Miller is 6ft 1in] is that I have an expansive stride length on the track, and off the track I have a chance to look at modelling as a future career path.”

Worst

“The worst thing is that in the shorter sprints it takes me a little bit longer to reach full speed.”

 
Shaunae Miller

 

Miller won 400m world titles as a youth in 2011 and a junior in 2010

...being a young star?

Best

“The best thing about being a young star is that some people view me as a celebrity in the sport.”

Worst

“The worst thing is that you have to fight the urge to be complacent and put in the extra work. Additionally, I am also burdened with heavy expectations.”

...coming from a sprint-mad island?

Best

“The best thing of coming from an island crazy about sprinting is they easily appreciate the performances we put in on the track.”

Worst

“The worst thing is sometimes they expect you to win every time.”

...haircut?

Best

“The best haircut I’ve ever had was when I did the big chop. I decided to go back to my natural roots and in that case had to cut off all my hair.”

Worst

“The worst was when I had decided to perm my hair but my hair got damaged from the chemicals and I had to cut it short.”

 
Shaunae Miller

Miller joined the Pure Athletics Club and coach Lance Brauman in October 2014

...training in a world-class group?

Best

“The best thing about being a part of a world-class training group is you have to be prepared mentally and physically each day, as all of the training group approach training with great intensity.”

Worst

“The worst thing is you can’t afford to relax as you will be exposed.”

...coming from an athletic family?

Best

“The best thing about coming from a family steeped in athletics [Miller's father, Shaun, is Vice President of the Bahamas Coaches Association and mother, May, is an executive in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations] is that the household can appreciate the sacrifices and demands the sport requires of you. They can also give great advice on how to overcome or prepare yourself for certain challenges.”

Worst

“The worst thing is, given that we are all competitive, losing can sometimes linger.”

 
Shaunae Miller

A first senior medal came at the Sopot World Indoors last year, where Miller won 400m bronze at the tender age of 19

...training session?

Best

“The best thing about training sessions is the fact that I know that it’ll help me get stronger, mentally and physically, and faster for my particular events.”

Worst

“The worst thing is that it’s not easy. Yes, you’ll benefit by the workouts, but you also have to be mentally tough to get through it properly. If you’re mentally weak it can become a tough challenge for some.”

...outfit ever worn?

Worst

“The worst outfit ever worn was at a past Central American and Caribbean Youth Games when my teammate and I had to compete in the track bathing suit. That day we had to compete in the long jump and let’s just say it was extremely uncomfortable!”