Tracktics have found another 400m star for the future in Kirsten McAslan!
At just 19, Kirsten is to compete for Scotland at next year's Commonwealth Games! Ranked number one last year in the country her Under 20 age group, she trains alongside one of GB's most successful middle distance athletes in Jenny Meadows, being tipped for big things on the Track!
Kirsten thank you for taking part in our feature OnTracktoRio tell our readers about yourself?
Thanks for having me. I'm 19 years old and my main event is the 400m. I'm from Manchester and run for Sale Harriers. I started running back in primary school doing cross country but came to my senses and turned to the track in high school. I’m coached by Trevor Painter in Wigan/ Manchester.
What have you achieved on the Track in the so many years you have been involved with athletics? what do you regard as your greatest achievement from that?
Winning the 300m at English Schools in 2009 was a real break through for me and the first time I'd won a medal at a national level, after trying for quite while, so that is something I'll always remember. After coming 2nd and running a PB in the 400m, dipping under 54 seconds, at the UK U20 champs the year after I was lucky enough to be picked for Great Britain team for the European Junior Champs in Estonia.
Winning the 4 x 400m relay at the European Juniors with the GB team has to be my greatest achievement. Well it was the most dramatic race i had been involved in. I was on the anchor leg (watch from 3:03 onwards worth it!!! )and managed to get the team from 3rd to 1st position. I somehow ran a split of 52.4 and even fell/dived across the line in my attempt at a dip. It was just an amazing moment I was able to share with the other great girls in the team.
And last year I won the U20 UK 400m champs but my season was cut short due to injury.
What would you say makes you different from athletes that has got you to the standard you are today?
I would say I'm a very hard working and dedicated athlete who never gives up but I have to give the most credit to my support system. I have a great coach and group that make training a lot of fun and we support each other through sessions. My physio, Duncan Mason at Athlete Matters makes sure I stay in one piece and is one of the main reasons I am now back to full training after my stress fracture last year. He puts a lot of effort into helping me. Also Scottish Athletics have been very helpful in the last few years as have the University of Bath this year. I obviously can’t forget my parents too who are extremely supportive and try to watch all my races. I'm very lucky to have such a great team around me and I try to match the effort they all put in in my training and racing.
Winning the 300m at English Schools in 2009 was a real break through for me and the first time I'd won a medal at a national level, after trying for quite while, so that is something I'll always remember. After coming 2nd and running a PB in the 400m, dipping under 54 seconds, at the UK U20 champs the year after I was lucky enough to be picked for Great Britain team for the European Junior Champs in Estonia.
Winning the 4 x 400m relay at the European Juniors with the GB team has to be my greatest achievement. Well it was the most dramatic race i had been involved in. I was on the anchor leg (watch from 3:03 onwards worth it!!! )and managed to get the team from 3rd to 1st position. I somehow ran a split of 52.4 and even fell/dived across the line in my attempt at a dip. It was just an amazing moment I was able to share with the other great girls in the team.
And last year I won the U20 UK 400m champs but my season was cut short due to injury.
What would you say makes you different from athletes that has got you to the standard you are today?
I would say I'm a very hard working and dedicated athlete who never gives up but I have to give the most credit to my support system. I have a great coach and group that make training a lot of fun and we support each other through sessions. My physio, Duncan Mason at Athlete Matters makes sure I stay in one piece and is one of the main reasons I am now back to full training after my stress fracture last year. He puts a lot of effort into helping me. Also Scottish Athletics have been very helpful in the last few years as have the University of Bath this year. I obviously can’t forget my parents too who are extremely supportive and try to watch all my races. I'm very lucky to have such a great team around me and I try to match the effort they all put in in my training and racing.
At the age of 19 do you see Rio as an aim in your career
and if so what would be a realistic achievement?
I would love to compete at an Olympic Games at some stage in my career. I wouldn’t say competing at Rio is an unrealistic goal but it’s not something I've really thought about. It’s a long way off and it’s hard to say what will happen between now and then especially as I'm quite a young athlete. I like to focus on each season as it comes but I am aiming on competing for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year.
What do you do outside of the Track?
I am in my first year at the University of Bath studying Biochemistry. So I spend a lot of my time studying or training. But like most people the rest of the time I just like spending time and having fun with my friends.
Who has been your idol on the Track and how have they inspired you?
My idol is definitely Jenny Meadows and I am lucky enough to train with her. She is such a hard working, professional athlete. She is a just a machine at training and I love training with her or just trying to keep up! Jenny is not only just an awesome athlete but a great friend and support to me and everyone else in the group. I hope to have even just a little bit of her success in my athletics career.
Finally if there was a message you could give to upcoming athletes what would it be?
I would probably say be patient and believe in yourself. If you keep working hard it will pay off in the end. Don’t give up.
If you wish to follow Kirsten through the season then check out her all results
It will not be the last you hear of this athlete!
and if so what would be a realistic achievement?
I would love to compete at an Olympic Games at some stage in my career. I wouldn’t say competing at Rio is an unrealistic goal but it’s not something I've really thought about. It’s a long way off and it’s hard to say what will happen between now and then especially as I'm quite a young athlete. I like to focus on each season as it comes but I am aiming on competing for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year.
What do you do outside of the Track?
I am in my first year at the University of Bath studying Biochemistry. So I spend a lot of my time studying or training. But like most people the rest of the time I just like spending time and having fun with my friends.
Who has been your idol on the Track and how have they inspired you?
My idol is definitely Jenny Meadows and I am lucky enough to train with her. She is such a hard working, professional athlete. She is a just a machine at training and I love training with her or just trying to keep up! Jenny is not only just an awesome athlete but a great friend and support to me and everyone else in the group. I hope to have even just a little bit of her success in my athletics career.
Finally if there was a message you could give to upcoming athletes what would it be?
I would probably say be patient and believe in yourself. If you keep working hard it will pay off in the end. Don’t give up.
If you wish to follow Kirsten through the season then check out her all results
It will not be the last you hear of this athlete!
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