Block Back On Track

by Bob Ramsak

Satisfied--but not necessarily content--would be the best way to describe Zhanna Block after her eagerly anticipated return to the sprint wars at the August 2 IAAF GP meet in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.

Despite two runner-up finishes with modest times of 11.16 and 22.70, the reigning world century champion said she’s right on target to defend.

“It felt really good actually,” she said of her initial appearance on the track since she was sidelined with a quad injury after a June race in Greece. “I felt OK. It was my first race after the injury and its a process. Of course, I wish I could win, but I guess I’ll take it.”

Last year, Block’s 10.83 here was the fastest 100 of the season. This time around, the expectations weren’t nearly as high, but she said she was happy to get back into action.

“You’ve got to start sometime,” she explained. “I’m healthy, and I’m ready to compete. We didn’t have big, big expectations of course. It’s a process. I haven’t competed in a little while and I just need to sharpen up race-wise. I just basically need a couple races.” Those will come in Stockholm on August 5 and London on August 8.

In the 100, the 31 year-old Ukrainian started well, but was nipped at the end by American Chryste Gaines, 11.13—11.16.

Said Gaines, “She and I are both coming off of injuries, and we’re both trying to come back and it feels really good. Since I don’t get to race at Worlds I have to prove myself all over again since I was injured. It’s kind of a bummer, but you got to do what you go to do.”

When asked to provide a quick analysis of her race, Block laughed and said, “There’s wasn’t really a strong point; everything was average. I guess I should be happy with my start. But overall, I just didn’t feel comfortable race-wise. I just need a couple of races and I’ll be fine.”

In the 200, Block appeared to have the lead coming off the turn, but was quickly run down by world indoor runner-up Muriel Hurtis, 22.51—22.70. It was a seasonal best for the French star, who said after the race that her prep work for Paris is “right on schedule.”

Block feels the same way.

“[The Worlds] are three-and-a-half weeks away, and I have two races coming up next week. That should be enough time,” she said, indicating that at this point, she intends on doubling in Paris.

Block said she felt nothing in her quad, boding well for her upcoming competitions in Sweden and England, where she plans on doubling as well. “That’s a good sign.”

Husband/coach/agent Mark Block pretty much echoed his wife’s sentiments: “I think [the races] were OK. When I first saw the time in the 100 I was disappointed, but then I saw the minus 1.3 wind, so it’s decent. I was expecting maybe 11-flat in the 100, and in the 200, I really expected better, maybe 22.5. The 200 is a rhythm race and you could lead too much early and it just depends where you’re at. So for her first race out, 22.7, considering the way most people have been running this season, it’s not that bad.

“Really, not having raced since world indoors, it’s been a long time and it’s just a matter of getting the rhythm. And I think the few meets she’s running now will set her up for worlds.”