Photo: Danielle Dowie (Getty Images)
Having watched several young and virtually unknown athletes rising from the pack, and excelling at the top level under the tutelage of MVP head coach Stephen Francis has unequivocally given former Wolmerian and junior standout 400metre and 400m hurdler, Danielle Dowie all the confidence that she could be one of those to carry that successful traite of MVP stars.
“It’s my first year with the MVP camp. After having two mediocre years after leaving college, I just came here and basically I am really coachable. I learn pretty quickly. I listen to what he says so my old bad habits are changing and I think by the time trials comes around I will be where I should be,” Dowie told Yardie Sports.
Dowie ran 55.18 seconds to finish fifth in the 400m heat four at the MVP Track and Field Meet recently. The athlete was not at all satisfied with the execution of the race, but she pointed out that its work in progress and learning on the job her in the ongoing season.
“I was trying to run a different race than I usually do. I was trying to go out a little bit slower than I usually do, but it was a little too slow. And I was too far out of race at the 200m mark,” she explained about her performance.
With the guide of tested and proven coach Francis, along with a new commitment to her training structure program, Dowie has positive expectations and for her, it’s now constant belief that once she gives 110% at all times, she will reap the dividends soon.
“I like what I am doing so far in practice. I was hurt for a good part of the season, so I haven’t opened in the 400m hurdles as yet. But I should be opening up soon, I just got back to hurdles practice, so it’s going to take some time to get where I want to be. But I think my training is going well thus far and I should do some good things,” she promised.
Looking at the achievement and progress of fellow MVP athlete and 2015 World championship finalist Janieve Russell, the 2013 World Championship representative is confident that she can regain and even exceed her 2013 season. Her personal best of 54.94 seconds was achieved that same season and with her camp and the welcomed challenge from her teammates she is upbeat about the next step in her career.
“I am just working and trusting coach Francis. I have seen his success over the years, so I have no reason to doubt his coaching ability. So I just follow his program to the best of my ability. I use to training by myself before I came here, but to be in a camp where there are several qualify female hurdlers and training partners, who are good in their own right, all this is really good. It gives you the motivation and pushes you to give of your best, when you’re in training” she explained.
Rio Olympic Games is the ultimate target for most of the athletes and for Dowie it’s no different. However she is mindful that the paradigm has shifted over the last few year as it relates to 400m hurdles, but she has already figured out the formula to bring her success this summer.
“I agree with you, it’s a strong field. A lot of ladies are at the same region, 56 thereabout. I think it’s just going to take a lot of work, being focused and listening to Mr Francis. I think that everything is going well and once I stay healthy I should be definitely be on that team, once I have a good race at trails.”
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