Coquitlam sprinter James Linde loves surprises.
He surprised himself when he finished second to Canadian Olympian Andre De Grasse in the 100m race at last year’s Harry Jerome International Track Classic at Coquitlam’s Percy Perry Stadium.
He did it again last August when he won silver in the 200m sprint at the World University Games in Taipei, Taiwan.
And he’ll be looking to pull another rabbit out of his spikes next Tuesday when he settles into the starting blocks against another top international field in the 100m and 200m races at the 2018 Harry Jerome meet that is being held at Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium.
A year ago, Linde was looking at winding down his athletic career that had brought him success at the club, provincial and Canadian university level. His schooling was over, student loans were beckoning repayment, it was time to move on and establish a career.
But his result at the Jerome, and a subsequent fourth place in the 200m at the Canadian championships, thrust him among the country’s top sprinters as a carded member of the national team. Suddenly, track was Linde’s career.
“I didn’t have to labour away and exhaust myself before training,” Linde said of the funding that allows him to dedicate his days to getting faster and stronger.
But with that freedom comes expectation. Linde admitted he could feel the eyes on him.
“It stressed me out at first.”
Getting used to his new regime and learning how to manage the pressure has been an onging process, Linde said. And there have been some setbacks.
A back injury hobbled Linde’s early-season base training, and then last month at a national team relay camp at Louisiana State University he pulled his hamstring.
Linde said working his way back into shape from those injuries has given him an appreciation for where he is and the opportunities track has provided. That’s helping him relax again, bring the fun back into running on the track.
“I’m in my element when I’m out there,” Linde said, adding he’s heading into next week’s Jerome meet with no expectations.
“There’s some guys there that are faster than me,” he said. “I try not to run to win, as long as I can surprise myself.”
• The Harry Jerome International Track Classic is being held June 26 and 27 at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. For more information, and a link to buy tickets, go to www.harryjerome.com
