Goldstone prepares to return to track

Press, 4 December 1981, Page 15

Goldstone prepares to return to track

By

ROD DEW

The sudden departure from competition early this year by Richard Goldstone (Old Boys), one of New Zealand's finest 400-800 m prospects. was received with disbelief by many of his rivals. But after 'unsuccessfully knocking his head against the brick wall of New Zealand selection for so long, he decided that he had had enough. The final straw was being passed over for the Pacific Conference Games, held on his home track at- Queen Elizabeth II Park at the end of January. For three years. Goldstone devoted himself towards preparing for this event and when he was finally left out he was practically overwhelmed by disappointment. "I had my heart set on those Games." he said on a casual visit to the park last Saturday. "When I didn't get

in the team, there was really nothing else to do. My target was gone." Goldstone did not contest the Canterbury championships in February and was not available for the New Zealand championships in "March. A planned trip to Europe for competition was abandoned, and for a time it seemed as if he had run his last race. However. Goldstone has come to terms with his disappointment and he is now back in training under his old coach. Paul Davies. He has no great aspirations for this season, and holds no hopes at all of winning selection for the Brisbane Commonwealth Games next year. His approach, in what promises to be a quite separate chapter in his athletics career, will be very different from before. No longer will his whole world revolve

around one contest. Instead, he will run tor enjoyment and for personal satisfaction. That does not mean he will not be serious about his racing and training. There are those who are convinced that a slightly more relaxed approach could even lead to faster times than ever before. Goldstone is not so sure. "I don't really know how I will go. It is really a matter of getting the old spark back — the drive to train properly. I know I have still got the killer instinct when it comes to racing. But I have got to get myself up to the level where ! can do myself justice in a race." Goldstone's background is impressive. He won the New Zealand colts 400 m championsnip in 49.3 s in 1976. and

nis national colts record of 49.30 s -still stands. His handtimed 47.9 s New Zealand junior record also remains unbeaten, although it has since been superseded in the record books by the 47.39 s electric-timed performance of Peter Pearless (Auckland). In 1978. Goldstone was second only to the outstanding Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay sprinter. Glen Hastelow, in the New' Zealand junior 400 m championship. The next year he stepped up to the 800 m and celebrated this with a second placing in the national senior championship behind the Commonwealth Games representative. Dave Norris (Auckland). This was followed by a third over the same distance in last year's national championships behind John Walker and his great Canterbury rival. Andrew’ Stark. This summer. Goldstone will restrict his racing to the 400 m because he has not completed a winter build-up. But this is still an exciting t prospect. Goldstone has an ’ official best time of 47.8 s for this distance and he has run an even faster 47.4 s time trial. He should be able to dip below 48s by the time of the Canterbury and NewZealand championsnips, and that would make him a hard man to beat at any level. He could also provide the key to a Canterbury success in the New Zealand 4 x 400 m relay this season. Paul Cuff (Technical). Tony Gill (Toe H) and Evan Peterson (Technical) have all shown outstanding form over this distance this season and with Goldstone making up the four, the possibility of a New Zealand record run can not be discounted. Eventually. Goldstone intends to step back up to the 800 m. the distance he still feels holds his greatest future. "As a race. I enjoy the 800 m more than the 400 m. I find it more of a challenge, although the 400 m is easier to run."Goldstone will not be

ready for his first appearance of the season on the track until next month, but that is soon enough for him to gain the necessary race fitness for the important championship events towards the end of the season. His promised return will

certainly' be widely welcomed. Few will doubt his ability to bounce back and. if the breaks he has never received finally come his way, he could yet achieve the athletic greatness which at one time seemed to be his for the taking.