IT has been a challenging 12 months for Launceston middle-distance runner Jordan Tyler.
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But things are looking up for the 23-year-old after recovering from two stress fractures in his feet during his short career.
“I started running as a junior in 2010 and was talented but due to a broken navicular in my foot I had two years off and sort of made a comeback about two years ago,” Tyler said.
“Again, I had a stress fracture in my foot last season, which ruled me out for the entire season.
“It was pretty tough as I was in pretty good form when it happened right at the start.
“It was tough watching all the people I usually race against go out and start putting down some good times when it probably should have been where I was.”
Now, after a solid rehabilitation and close work with coach David Rae, the University of Tasmania runner has been setting personal benchmarks in 2017.
Tyler clocked three minutes, 50.03 seconds over 1500 metres at the Hunter Track Classic in Newcastle to put him into Tasmania’s all-time records list for the first time, after winning the Latrobe Mile during this year’s Christmas carnival series.
He then ran 3:54.85 at the Canberra Grand Prix – finishing ninth overall last week.
It was that run that caught the eye of renowned Australian middle-distance guru Kim Green, who subsequently invited him to attend a six-week camp in Arizona from May 1 with Green and leading sports scientist Philo Saunders.
“We will be spending six weeks in Flagstaff at high altitude with a group of about 30 athletes from around the country,” the personal trainer said.
The goal next season is to make the national final and be inside the top 10 in the country.
- Jordan Tyler
“It will an intense training load day in, day out and then we will race in Portland, Oregon, to hopefully get some good times off the mountain.
“The goal next season is to make the national final and be inside the top 10 in the country.”
The former St Patrick’s College student and junior national 800m medalist said his great form this year was down to an increase in mileage mixed in with base and strength training.
“Trying to remain injury free is the key as they can set you back a long way,” Tyler said.
“I’m still just working on my fitness because it has only been a nine month build up for this.
“It has been like starting all over again.
“I like having a definite time to chase. In other sports you can win or lose but it’s against other people.
“I like competing against myself a lot, trying to better myself and see how far I can push my body.”