3 posts tagged “nicole budd”
Rodney Julien lowers the CariFin/Nature Valley – UWI Half mark to 1.25
Nicole Budd runs 3 minutes faster
Rodney Julien makes good of his boast to clock 1.25 by easily covering the 13.1 miles of the UWI half marathon on Sunday November 01, 2009.
Nicole Budd looked stronger, smoother and more purposeful as she completed the course in 1.43 three minutes faster than her last year attempt.
Julien improved on his 2008 time by four minutes when he finished in 1.25.18. It is evident that Rodney takes a liking to the flat, fast course and the weather was the best in years and the UWI race in particular.
Using Runner’s World pace calculator it shows that he ran the race at 6.30 per mile pace and this is a good indicator based on the fact that it is a four minutes increase in his performance. This improvement was not had in the easiest or most satisfactory situation or conditions but it was clear to me that he had injuries issues leading up to the race, and problems with gears to name a few and the absence of these negative situation is an indicator that Julien could go a lot faster.
In 2007 he posted 1.29.42 and followed that with a 1.31.05 in 2009.
“I was happy with my performance and the way how I ran the race,” Julien responded when asked how he felt about his performance.
He ran his own race, his own style, never once feeling overwhelm by the moment, the occasion or the bigness of the race, he held firm to his conviction and purpose.
For once he felt that his training had paid off big time, every mile was a challenge but the corresponding exhilaration more than compensate for any effort or discomfort as he kept pace and continue just running his race. In the end he felt more than compensated with the race and performance.
Nicole Budd
“It was a moderate improvement over my 2008 performance and I felt less winded and could have gone faster,”
This is how Nicole Budd felt about her 2009 performance at UWI SPEC half marathon.
Nicole Budd started somewhat slowly in the race; having to shake off the effects of an early spill at the start of the race, but built to the speed she felt challenging enough to maintain a pace that allowed her to pass a number of runners male and female along the course.
From a night before when she felt she was losing the joy of running and felt like she would skip this race or at least it would be her last one to turning in her best performance in 5 years.
As every success story has its ups and downs, this is not without its own, leading up to the race a virus struck Budd which she found quite difficult to shake off which resulted in lost time for training. But like a true committed runner she soldiered on.
In the end she posted 1.43.07 and improvement of some three minutes over 2008 time.
Budd did a 7.52 per mile pace over the 13.1 mile course, a runner who still seems to be feeling out her way on this course of “fast, flat asphalt”, but seem ready to unleash a much faster run next year.
And interview with Nicole Budd after the UWI SPEC Half Marathon
Wayne Roberts: You were the top female in 2008 with a 1.46 time, this year you are top in the group with 1.43.07…. how does that feel?
Nicole Budd: I feel accomplished given the challenges I faced in my preparation for the race
WR: You had some problem with the virus and not getting the time to train closer to the race, what effect that had on you… if any?
NB: Yes it had a negative impact on my training for the race and I would like to stress training for the race. As you know I train between 6 to 7 days a week but I rarely incorporate running given the problems I have with my left knee (for many years now). Training always make me feel good (even if I have the virus)!
WR: How was the race for you? How was the start? You seem to have started slow gained momentum and the last half you seem much more confident?
NB: It was a good race overall. The kind weather was a factor. The start was extremely slow especially as I tripped – on a closer examination of the published results you will note that the MAT-MAT time was 1:42. Just after the half I heard someone say: “home stretch” and I understood that to mean “start pelting” – which I did. However, I must admit I prayed all the way back!
WR: What you like about UWI half marathon that you like?
NB: The course is relatively flat and undulating posing no great challenge in doing a surge
WR: CariFin/Nature Valley team in training was able to entice you to come back some what on the running scene and run UWI with us after being one of the top female marathoners and a 2 time CariFin winner…. What about this team do like?
NB: Carifin engenders team spirit amongst financial institutions in T&T and the Caribbean. My history with Carifin dovetails with the fact that I am a certified accountant by profession who is still seeking to be re-employed with a banking financial institution.
WR: What is your training regimen like?
NB: Sunday Light/recreational training (may go bike riding with my two girls)
Monday Spin class at Long Circular Gym
Tuesday Aerobics class at Long Circular Gym with 15 minutes weight training
Wednesday Running 3-6 miles or 1 hour 15 minutes weights with personal instructor
Thursday Trampoline aerobics at Long Circular Gym with 10 minutes weights
Friday Spin class at Long Circular Gym
Saturday One hour personal Spin (more intense than at Long Circular Gym)
WR: Could you give us an example of what a typical meal plan for a day is for you?
NB: Before Gym: Wheat grass powder mixed with water; Breakfast: grapes, orange, cereal and milk(some whole wheat bread at times); Lunch: Fish, peas, rice (I do not eat beef and rarely eat chicken); Snack: Almonds (smoked); Dinner: cup of green tea mixed with Complan and evaporated milk or Ovaltine (mixed with evaporated milk and Complan). I avoid carbs at night!
WR: What are your fitness objectives these days? (Why do you train?)
NB: I train to be fit for life!
WR: You seem to be in good nick (no pun intended) these days what next for Nicole Budd – EPOS 10K?
NB: Only if I am prodded
WR: What about the marathon? You only seem to come out for UWI half?
NB: As I mentioned earlier my goal is to be fit for life. Running is just a means of achieving that goal not a goal in itself. Only if I am encouraged, I will attempt the marathon. Previously when my brothers were alive (they are now deceased), one of them would drive alongside me and would provide water and gatoraid for me when I went on my three-hour runs – he is no longer available, God had other plans for him. I therefore do not have the support I need at this time to prepare for the marathon. My hours of training may not be in keeping with a team run (as I like to train between 3 and 6 am).
WR: How the uniform fit you and did you like it?
NB: The fit was ok
WR: Our sedentary rate is quite high and many people want to know how to start a fitness program, what advice would give people who want to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
NB: The old people’s advice – “rise early in the morning; don’t let the sun shine on you!”. Spend at least 20 minutes five days a week in the morning doing some form of physical exercise at moderate intensity; eat well; get sufficient sleep.
WR: You seem to have a special talent for getting in racing shape, performing well and improving as well from year to year – what operating in your mind here. How do you motivate yourself?
NB: In my mind (and to others off course) I am BUDD – I tend to think that I am in some way related to the one time renowned South African runner ZOLA (which is also my younger daughter’s middle name). So although I would no longer call myself a runner, a part of me says “you (Nicole) must have command of the road!”
WR: What words of advice would you give to people who look at you and want to emulate your consistency and performance in general?... what would you say to them?
NB: Love yourself; don’t underestimate the power of nutrition and develop an intimacy with physical exercise!
