Ryan Bailey, who grew up in Oregon and emerged as a legitimate world-class sprinter this year, is gearing up for an indoor season with an eye on lowering his times even further in the 100 and 200 meters.
Bailey ran 9.88 seconds in 100 last summer and has a best of 20.17 in the 200.
I spoke with Bailey this week about his year and the work he has put in so far so that he may continue his climb in 2011.
Bailey has been healthy all fall and done more off-season lifting and training than he did leading up to 2010. Injuries, including recovery from wrist surgery, led to an abbreviated strength and conditioning schedule prior to the 2010 season.
“Right now, the biggest goal is just finishing the race with better form,” Bailey said. “I broke down in almost every race last summer.”
Bailey had highs and lows as he gained his first meaningful experience in Europe. After a disappointing performance at Monaco, he took counsel and words of encouragement from Tyson Gay during an hour-long meeting in a hotel room.
He closed the season by running 9.88 seconds in Rieti, finishing a whisker behind Nesta Carter.
“I’m hungry for more,” said Bailey, who prepped at Salem’s McKay High School. “I always want to run faster, run better. I don’t want to be conent with 9.88. I want to run 9.7, 9.6.”
Bailey and coach John Parks are reviewing options for January. One option would be to open at the Five Nations meet in Scotland the last weekend of the month.
“In terms of strength and quality and consistency of workouts, we’re ahead of last year,” Parks said. “Last year we started on about Dec. 5. This year, we started on the track a month earlier, and two months earlier on the lifting.”
Bailey added an elite workout partner when 400-meter specialist Jordan Boase joined Parks earlier this month.
“It’s working out. It’s good to have actually have someone to push you,” Bailey said.
In their first workout together, on the track, Bailey and Boase ran 12 200s.
“Jordan pushed him to the best workout, in terms of speed and volume, that he’s ever done,” Parks said.
