Athletics Canada is excited to announce today that Crystal Emmanuel of Pickering, Ont., 
will race in the women’s invitational 60-metres at the inaugural AC Indoor Open. Crystal has won a total of four senior Canadian titles and was a member of both the Canadian junior and senior 4×100-metres record setting teams. A 2012 Olympian in the 200-metres, Crystal won gold last summer at the Francophone Games in the same distance.
AC: How did it feel when you and your teammates broke the Canadian 4×100-metres relay record at the 2013 World Championships? Was it hard to settle down and prepare for the final?
CE: It was a wonderful feeling to break that record, it stood for 37 years. We tried to not let it get into our heads too much. We knew we had to go out there to show the world and our country that Canada still has a women’s 4×100-metres team that can win a medal.
AC: What’s a typical day in the life of an elite athlete?
CE: My day starts at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast (eggs, toast, fruit and tea), I get in a nap until 9:00 a.m. and then get ready by 10 a.m. Then off to training, at 11 a.m. we do our warm-up, some speed work or some days might just be tempo. Next are our drills, then core and weights to finish the practice around 4:00 p.m. For recovery, I get treatment in the form of physio, massage and an ice bath. The routine starts all over again the next day. My time away from track is spent with my family and friends and I enjoy down time by reading a good book.
AC: What have you been working on in training and/or racing to continue getting faster?
CE: I have been working on my starts and getting out fast. I always get out of the blocks late and then have to play catch up. Spending more time doing things to get stronger, working on my form and staying focused.
AC: After last year’s successful season, what goals are you focused on for this year?
CE: Well, I’m going to let this year play out for me. For sure, run faster than last year and make the team for the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
AC: What are you most looking forward to on your trip to Montreal for the AC Indoor Open?
CE: To compete with my teammates and all the other athletes who will be competing at the AC Indoor Open. To go out there and have fun. It will be the last meet for the indoor season and getting to see more of Montreal.
The 2014 AC Indoor Open will take place in Montreal, Que., March 14 – 16 at the newly renovated Centre Claude-Robillard. The event serves as a Canadian Championship for youth and junior athletes and will feature a number of Olympians and World Championship national team members in invitational events. For more information and to register for the inaugural AC Indoor Open visit www.indoors.athletics.ca.
