The trajectory was true, and most importantly, the release was strong.
New Westminster’s Krista Woodward had come to expect a rough go at the Burnaby-hosted Harry Jerome Track Classic, but better health and a good feeling propelled her to the senior women’s javelin title at the international event.
Woodward’s top throw peaked at 57.01 metres, edging out Canadian national champion and record holder Liz Gleadle by a centimetre.
The narrow edge was some much-needed momentum heading into the final month of Olympic qualification meets, and a nice boost in confidence.
“I was pleasantly surprised – (the Jerome) has always been a meet I seemed to do poorly at,” said Woodward, 31. “It feels like there’s more to come, my throws were just a couple of degrees off.”
A six-time Canadian champion, Woodward is benefitting from a clearer focus and recovering from a shoulder nerve impingement which had troubled her the past two seasons.
“Every time I’d throw it felt like I’d been electrocuted.”
She has gone without a full-time coach ever since her former advisor retired.
Nagging injuries that limited her ability to run up to the line, which supplies the power in her throw, also effected her mental preparation. Now three years after setting her personal best of 60.15m in Tokyo, Woodward envisions a return to form.
Gleadle, who holds the Canadian record of 64.83m, drew a lot of the media attention after one of her throws ripped a cameraman’s shirt. Woodward said her own performance may have benefited from a more relaxed, few expectations approach.
“(Gleadle) hasn’t had many throws under 59m lately so I went in thinking I might not challenge (her), but I also have had encouraging throws since the start (of the year).
“It started off at 54, 55 and is slowly climbing,” said Woodward, who needs to reach the Olympic standard of 62m to make the Rio team. “I’m just happy that I’m here after two back-to-back rough years.”
The road to qualify for Rio is a short one at this stage in the game. She is competing in a Portland, Ore. meet, after getting an invitation from friend and U.S. record holder Kara Patterson. The Canadian championships follow, July 7 to 10 in Edmonton.
For someone who missed the 2012 Olympics by 50 centimetres, Woodward says the dream is still strong.
“I don’t think I ever thought of giving up,” she said. “I always thought I’d have another shot, (that) there’s always another meet.”
