Interview with Melissa Moon
Story by: Ian Kemp
Interview with Melissa MoonStory by: Ian Kemp |
|
 |
|
|
Melissa, you are very well known among the running community in New Zealand, having recently won your 10th successive North Island cross country title, and having won 7 NZ titles. But you may be less well known overseas. Being Australian I'd like to know if you have raced in Australia?
I have run the Australian cross country twice. The first one was in Bendigo in 1996 where I was third, then I went over in I think '98 to run in Canberra and got 4th there. The one in Bendigo was full of hills - so I appreciated that! I ran the Zatopek a couple of times but never really performed well there. I've always gone over reasonably fit but performed really badly. Just seems to be that track [Olympic Park in Melbourne], there must be some bush or plant around that track because whenever I go to it I seem to puff up and have trouble with my breathing.
Do you feel its necessary to compete overseas to improve?
You've got to over there and race those hard races - you learn a lot about yourself. And tactics, how to dig deep when you're hanging off the back of people. I think it's important that you do that. Also it's good having someone to focus on instead of being the one focused on - that can pull you along a bit.
For mountain running, I have gone over and done a few grand prix circuits - it depends on where they are in the world. With this years' being in Alaska, and because running is not my full time occupation I can't afford financially and time-wise to spend 3-4 months doing the circuit. If it was in Europe I might go over a couple of weeks early and do a couple of races but with it being in Alaska it would be very time consuming. I do the best I can based on my lifestyle really.
So how will you fine tune for the worlds?
The unique thing about mountain running is that it is so technical and it requires you to think so much. A lot of it comes down to knowing the course very well. That's why I'm going over 2 weeks early to really learn that course well. Depending on this injury I'll probably try to go over it every second day, even if it's only a walk-run, so that it's in my head.
When are you leaving for Alaska?
6th September, on the day of the NZ road champs. I will have no more races, it's straight to Alaska. I've had to miss the National Cross Country Champs and the Bays Relay, but I don't think it will hold me up. Having not done them I'm hungry to get back - whereas this time last year I felt like I had raced so much. By this time I had already done the Matterhorn race, a race in Italy plus a big long cross country season, and I felt like I was holding on for that world mountain champs.
Do you check out competitors as part of your plan?
Yes I'm on the internet sussing out who's doing what on the grand prix circuit at the moment. you've got to know your competition. Even for the NZ short course cross country I found out who the girls were in the field so I could plan how I would run the race to my best advantage. The thing about Mountain running is that the up-and-down courses (as opposed to the straight up) always bring out somebody new. There have never been the same 3 people on the dais, year in year out. Except Polish girl Izabela Zatorska, who's made top 3 since 1999.
|
|
|
Why have you specialised in Mountain running?
Because I do believe that's where my true strengths lie. From early days it was always cross country that I excelled at rather than track. When I first came to mountain running it was just a fluke! It was in '97 and I was at the world student games in Sicily. Track & Field was my main focus at that time and my ex-husband Clive said "while you're over there you might as well go and do the World Mountain Running Champs" I had been in Europe for about 5 weeks and the champs were in Czechoslovakia a week later. I didn't want to do it but he convinced me to and I ended up getting 3rd. It just gave me this huge wake-up call.
That race was like something I had never done. It humbled me. I push myself hard in every single race but this race was something else - the pain you have to push yourself through is something incredible. But I had a good result and I've just gone continuously back. I enjoy being there, I enjoy the whole atmosphere - the people, the whole experience, I enjoy sussing the course out - I get quite excited about that - it's like a puzzle and you've got to solve it.
Of all my wins the world champs in 2001 in Italy means the most to me because not many people can say they're a world champion! In my sport of mountain running you can't go any further than the world champs because it's not an Olympic event, so it means a lot to me.
You have experimented with many genres of running including stair racing, track and marathons. Do you have other things to try?
I'd love to do a multisport or a coast-to-coast or something with a bit of adventure. I see myself always running but I like the challenge - I did the Crazy Man Multi-event race as part of a team back in May, and I loved it - it was just great to be around the mountain bikers and the kayakers and to be involved in that team feeling.
What is it like to defend a world title? How do you deal with the pressure?
I'm used to it because I've done so much of that in cross country in New Zealand for the last 10 years. I'm used to having people chasing me - there are so many situations I've had to deal with. It's not like I've just gone out in front and won, I've come from behind, I've had sprint finishes twice, I've had people I've thought wouldn't be a threat at all, being out in the front. It's been a great learning experience for me, being put under that pressure and having to deal with a whole lot of race situations.
I've watched Maria Mutola and that is why she's the greatest 800m runner - because she's a thinker, you can just see it, the way she controls the whole race. She's very good at using her head and that's why she's remained on top. I'm sure that some of those girls could beat her, if they had the right tactics. She's had years and years of dominating that event now, she has been under so many pressure situations that she just knows how to deal with them all.
With the world champs getting there early and knowing the course all help you deal with the pressure. Feeling good, comfortable in your environment - little things can end up being big things on race day.
|
|
|
How have you coped with the setbacks?
I'm a very positive thinker and I like to say to myself that these things are happening for a reason. In running, you're learning all the time. I'm learning from this injury I have now! It's given me a new appreciation for how important running is in my life, which I've probably taken for granted a little bit. I think you've got to go through the downs and the bad times to come out stronger at the end - you need a roller coaster so that you can learn about yourself.
With the injury the good thing is that I'm still able to train on the treadmill provided it's on a steep incline. Its just the flat running that seems to aggravate it. In the past, after having a rest from pounding on the pavement I have come back and had some really fabulous races, so it may be a blessing in disguise!
John's death must have been a terrible blow to you
I was first introduced to John by Clive (Moon) - he was his best friend. He was the best man at our wedding, so he was more than a coach to me, which made his death harder. When we met I remember I was your typical 20-year old, with no direction in my life or anything like that. I had been a good school runnner, but Clive introduced me to John and said he was willing to coach me if I wanted to really give this running thing a go.
That's a lesson about being given opportunities in your life. You can decide whether to go with them, and sacrifice a few things, or not. At that time two key people came into my life and gave me the opportunity to get back into my running. Had they not come I might never have got back into it - it's timing.
If you had your time again what would you do differently?
I would do nothing different - I think what I have done has been perfect for where I am today. I started late, because I had other things I wanted to do in life, & didn't burn myself out or put any pressure on myself through those growing years. I came into the sport when I was a bit more mature and more able to think things out, I had not too much wear and tear on the body and remained injury free for 11 years.
|
|
|
What is the basis of your training
I follow the Lydiard approach. Long miles - there is no substitute for that. I've tried cutting down the miles and putting more intensity in but it doesn't work for me - I need the strength base.
A typical buildup week might be: Mon 16k / Tue 20k / Wed 25k / Thurs 18k / Friday 12k /Tempo on a Saturday / 2 & half hours on Sunday. All of the running would be hilly, apart from the tempo which might be around the bays or something. I just try to make them strength runs more than anything else. I don't really know what pace I train because I never run on time, more on feeling. I never wore heart rate monitors or anything like that, I probably should have done!
Any speedwork at all?
In the summer yes. For mountain running, I'll do hill reps - like up Mount Victoria 5x5mins uphill. I also have a circuit in the botanical gardens about 18 mins which is over a range of things. I just look for ideas which will work for my discipline.
Who sets your long and medium term goals?
I do. And they have been primarily focused on world mountain champs with the medium term goals being NZ cross country races.
Are you a big eater or a careful eater?
I'm a pretty good eater actually - just very basic, I'm not into formulas, vitamins or anything. I watch what I eat in the sense that I don't eat too much fatty foods, that sort of thing. My only vices are Powerbars and Manuka Honey - I have to have them every day otherwise I can't operate! And coffee. I drink copious amounts of coffee and have a good night out every so often!
Running is not a career for those aspiring to wealth - have you been successful in attracting sponsorship?
I have a part time job. I have been lucky as a runner in that Meridian energy have helped me out and Kingdom Residential provide training grants here and there. I contacted Meridian and Kingdom came to me. You can't wait for them to come to you, you have to go to them. Our sport has a limited profile, and sponsors will only go to people who have been seen, its the way they operate. I've been lucky with Meridian because they have been into sponsoring people who are individuals, not necessarily team based. It's a case of striking up a good relationship - not taking advantage of them, and giving as much back if you can.
|
|
|
You are a patriotic Wellingtonian - what is it you like about the city?
It's the fact that it's built round a beautiful harbour and the buzz of the city in the background, you've go the beautiful hills just 5 minutes from the city and the harbour. It's just so compact and that's why I like training in Wellington, you've just got huge variety. I've trained all over the world in what they say is some of the beautiful locations, but we're just so fortunate that we've got the likes of Butterfly Creek over at Eastbourne, Mt Kau Kau, the Wind Turbine and others.
Do you find your club supportive (Scottish Harriers)
I would never leave Scottish because the loyalty of the members is more important to me than what money could ever bring. When I won the world champs there they were at the airport, with their banners! When I had my injury, and John died, I got this beautiful hamper, from the girls in the club with a beautiful card that someone in the club had designed. It's just a wonderful range of people who are passionate about what they do. And that's what I like about the club.
Do you think that being publicly recognised is a pressure or a reward?
I think its great because we're passionate about our sport here. We've all got our talent haven't we, whether it be in sport, in the arts or elsewhere, and if you can develop that talent and do well at it and get a little bit of recognition that's brilliant! It also brings awareness for your sport. Around Wellington they now know what Mountain Running is, and having that support from the media has enabled the city to get behind us for the bid for the 2005 world champs. So it all spins off in other ways.
As a teacher, what do you think we need to do to get kids more active?
They've lost their sense of adventure. It's all to do with the technology that's put out in front of kids these days. When I was a kid we didn't have computers or playstations - you had to make your own entertainment. I remember on the weekend we'd be out in the woods building forts and having adventures - that's the way you operated as a kid, and kids don't seem to do that these days, they've been distracted. We'd leave the house at 9 o'clock with gumboots on and our parents wouldn't see us until 5! If you're a parent these day's you'd be terrified! So its not all the kids fault.
When I talk to kids and say 'what are your passions' - a lot of them say playstations or videos! We need to get them more into outdoor pursuits and education outside the classroom, get that adventure back into them.
What would be your dream holiday?
My dream holiday would be one full of adventure. It would be action packed. I couldn't stand a holiday where I was sitting on the beach all day it would drive me mad because I'm a do-er! It could be a nice location like Hawaii or somewhere, action packed during the day but you could chill out at night. My parents love to sit by the pool with a good book for the day... I could do that, only if I had already had half a day waterskiing, surfing or running along the beach. Then a good book, some good music and a Margarita would be bliss!!!!
Thank you very much Melissa that's excellent. I would wish you good luck for the world champs, but I think from your replies that luck has little to do with it!
Postscript: 5 weeks after this interview Melissa successfully regained the world title in the senior women's event in Girdwood, Alaska.
|
|
|
More information on the 2003 World Mountain Running Championships: http://www.coolrunning.co.nz/news/2003n005.html
An earlier interview with Melissa (April 2001): http://www.coolrunning.co.nz/articles/2001a003.html
Some information about running in Wellington: http://www.coolrunning.co.nz/articles/2001a007.html
Wellington's bid for the 2005 World Mountain Running Champs: http://www.athletics.org.nz/worldmountainbid.html
Cool Running 18.09.03.
