How Clifford improved his focus after “stinking race”

It’s been five months since Launceston runner Sam Clifford has had a drink. And the improved professional approach to his Olympic dream after a “stinking race” is paying off after a blistering PB in Saturday’s Zatopek: 10.

Sam Clifford competing at this year's national championships. Picture: Supplied

Launceston athlete Sam Clifford hasn’t had a drink since a “stinking race” on July 2.

And exactly five months to the day, that renewed focus and commitment to his running is paying off after he produced a scorching personal best in the prestigious Zatopek: 10 in Melbourne on Saturday.

After a below par effort at the Gold Coast Marathon, the 21-year-old made a pact to improve his professionalism off the track to ensure he meets his potential.

His time of 29:01.80 in the Zatopek, which doubles as the national 10km championship, was good enough for eighth, and the seventh Australian across the line.

It’s the sixth-fastest 10km time by a Tasmanian in history, and eclipses his previous best of around 29:18 at this year’s Launceston Running Festival.

“I’m still only 21 years old, those years where you’re going out heaps,” Clifford said.

“After the Gold Coast half marathon, I had a really stinking race and it got to the point where I said ‘I’m leaving my bad habits behind here. This isn’t continuing for any longer.’

“I trained so hard for that event and to have a shocker, that was a recurring theme the last three years. I wasn’t at the level I’d have liked to be.

“There was just little things I had to cut back on and to focus solely on the running. I’m glad this year, being an Olympic lead-up year, has really motivated me to keep going and pursue it to the best of my ability.

“It’s about discipline and patience now, being able to stick to my standards and my standards alone.”

The rewards are coming for Clifford, who backed up a third place finish at the Burnie Ten with second places in the NSW 3km and Victoria 5km championships.

Sam Clifford is eyeing off Paris. Picture: Supplied

“I had to verbalise to myself this needs to stop. I had people around me telling me to do it, but I had to say it to myself,” he said.

“It’s easy to find ways to stay disciplined, and still have fun as well. I can’t be a monk, I still have to have some form of purpose in life outside running.

“(For example) If I go away for running that means exploring a new city and doing it that way, rather than get on the piss or whatever.

“I’m glad I got it out of the way in my early years. If you’re doing it at 25 or 26 when you’re supposed to be at your peak (it’s not ideal).”

Clifford felt a strong run was on the agenda leading into Zatopek.

“I just felt like there was going to be a breakthrough, because after the (Victorian) 5k champs I felt like there was a bit more there,” he said.

“I’m getting into the mindset of liking the pain now and the pressure, whereas previously I might have shied away from it.”

Clifford finished third in the 1500m at the last edition of the Zatopek meet, and third in the De Castella 3000m before that.

He hasn’t ruled out qualifying for next year’s Olympics at Paris, but 2028 in Los Angeles and 2032 in Brisbane is when he expects to be at his best.

“We (Clifford and coach Gary Armstrong) believe the 5k is the best chance for me. But that’s not to say I can’t be competitive in all events, we’ll see how the rest of the season goes,” he said.

“I thought I could use Paris as a guide to make a schedule, so if Paris doesn’t happen I’ve got these other races leading up to it.

“Paris isn’t the end goal, it’s more the 2028 Olympics at Los Angeles or 2032 in Brisbane. That’s when I should be close to peaking for those events, and this year is a stepping stone for that.

“Being around the guys running really fast at the moment, when they move on I should hopefully be ready to go and be in the top two or three selected for those teams.”

FASTEST 10KM RUNS BY TASMANIANS

2019 - Stewart McSweyn 27:23.80

1977 - Dave Chettle 28:19.00

1980 - Max Little 28:36.63

1980 - Garry Bentley 28:44.00

1976 - Kent Rayner 28:44.40

2023 - Sam Clifford 29:01.80