LaShawn Merritt: Looking for more gold
27 January 2009 at 12:54
Imagine winning gold at the Olympic Games in the 400 meters by almost a full second. Now imagine not even running your best race in the process.
That’s exactly what LaShawn Merritt of the United States keeps on his shoulders – even to this day – after claiming the oval sprint title in 43.75 seconds in Beijing last summer.
“I don’t think I ran the perfect race in Beijing, that race could be improved,” Merritt said.
Although the performance set at the Olympic Games was a personal-best time for Merritt, he still has plenty of work to do this season to stay on top.
“I have learned that track & field is a mental sport,” Merritt said. “You always have to stay motivated, no matter how many races you run, and that hard work will pay off.”
That work has already begun for Merritt who plans to not compete this indoor season. Although he hasn’t decided on when to start his outdoor season, Merritt has been busy in training.
“Everything’s going great,” Merritt said. “I took six weeks off [during the holiday season] to really relax and spend time with my family. Now I’m back in the heat of things and at this point it’s all about forward movement.”
The next month for Merritt will include plenty of base work where long distance plays an important role for a 400 meter specialist. Moreover, it’s the time of year where a long sprinter can really focus on keeping their legs fresh for the outdoor season. - [WAS THIS STATEMENT A CONFLICT OR DID I MISS THE POINT? 
LONG REPS = FRESH LEGS? I DON’T THINK SO -KK]
“Over the next month I will just be doing base training,” Merritt said. “It’s going be a long season. My workouts will consist of doing 500 and 600 meter runs along with roadwork and putting in long mileage will help me transition to the core of my training.”
That training has been key for Merritt’s success who’s coach, Dwayne Miller, was named the 2008 Nike Coach of the Year. From competing in Europe to finally landing a U.S. Olympic Trials victory was the path that Miller paved from the start of last season and will continue to do the same this season.
“The races in Europe helped me because I did different things in different races to put the race together at the finals at the Olympic Games in Beijing.” Merritt said. “My training was pretty much the same as every year we have a plan to accomplish certain goals.”
Europe and China was indeed the hotbed for one of the greatest rivalries in the sport last year. 2004 Athens Olympic Champion Jeremy Wariner dueled with Merritt five times during the season, with Merritt winning at a tally of 3-2. They only raced head-to-head once on U.S. soil last year at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
It’s clear that these two feed off each other in a sport that needs more competitive rivalries like the one between Wariner and Merritt.
“Competing against Jeremy during the season helped me because it kept me motivated,” Merritt said. “We were battling throughout the season and I knew once I got to the Olympic Games I had to bring it.”
Merritt claimed the U.S. 400 meter title in Eugene last summer (Errol Anderson)
After Merritt’s victory over Wariner in Beijing, the two would then team up to secure gold in the 4x400 meter relay for the U.S. with their time of 2:55.39 which set a new Olympic record in the process.
No one will argue that Merritt and Wariner are the two best 400 meter athletes in the world right now. It’s a healthy competitive relationship that can only help both achieve their goals for this season and beyond.
Staying in top form and not overtraining is what will help Merritt make a run for gold this year at the World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Germany.
“I stay on a regular nutritional program, staying away from greasy foods is most important,” Merritt said. “I stay hydrated all the time, stretch as much as possible, knowing what my body can take, not overdoing it, and being smart about my craft.”
From his planning of perhaps the best season en route to a gold medal, what exactly keeps Merritt level-headed? Look no further than his family who’s provided Merritt all of the things to live a happy life.
Merritt lost his elder brother, Antwan, when he was only 13 years old. Antwan passed away at the age of 19 after trying to escape from a fight in college by jumping from an eighth floor window.
It’s unimaginable what a 13-year old boy can go through during such an event. Merritt, however, has shown that he can only do his best to help raise his own family.
“I have two nephews, one is almost a month old, the other is a year in half,” Merritt said. “I spend a lot of time with them and I enjoy every second of it.”
The former Verizon Youth Athlete of the Year has shown tremendous strides on and off the track. It’s only a matter of time before we call LaShawn Merritt one of the greatest 400 meter athletes in the history of the sport as well.