Mentally, Bruce Deacon can now relax. He has just qualified for the 2000 Olympic Games to be held in Sydney, Australia. For an athlete with high aspirations, it can be a nightmare to chase the Olympic qualifying time. Moreover, as a marathoner you only have 2-3 chances at meeting the tough standard. This time around, it was not as easy as in 1996 when he ran for Canada in Atlanta as the standard has been reduced from 2:16 to 2:14. As Canada's top marathoner, he succeeded again.

Bruce Deacon qualified with only 5 seconds to spare when he finished the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan on the 5^th of December, his birthday. What a present! Racing with a large pack, he was cruising along completing the half in 1:05:21. Between 25 and 34 km, the pace was slipping and Bruce had to make the decision to leave the comfort of the pack and forge ahead if he wanted to reach the finish line in under 2:14. Bruce pushed on being very aware of the ticking clock. Once again, Bruce triumphed and will be representing Canada in Sydney.

Picture courtesy of www.canoe.ca

In 1999, in preparation for Atlanta, Bruce trained in a sauna, getting his body accustomed to the high heat and humidity expected in Atlanta. For Sydney, Bruce does not worry as much about the weather conditions, but he plans on getting ready for the hills that will come in the latter miles of the race. His overall training will not be much different than his regular dedicated regiment of 100 miles that incorporates intervals, tempo runs, and long runs. The difference is that he will add some extra hills.

On his way to Sydney, Bruce will try to stay race ready by competing in a few events that would include a spring marathon. He is considering Boston, Cleveland or Ottawa. Boston has the prestige. In Cleveland, Bruce can be in the thick of things as the finishing times are close to Bruce's times. Ottawa has sentimental values for Bruce. Bruce, who now resides in Victoria, BC, is originally from Ottawa and he still has family there. Bruce has also participated in one of the original Ottawa Marathon. Bruce would love to return on his home turf and claim victory.

His decision to race in Ottawa will depend on the incentives. Talks are underway to determine if the Ottawa Marathon can provide an attractive prize purse that will bring out our best Canadian runners. In that eventuality, Athletics Canada might agree to declare the race the Canadian Championship. Bruce has first hand knowledge of what happens with Athletics Canada as he is an athlete representative. He is thus close to the decision-makers for our sport. Bruce also works on contract for Athletics Canada, taking care of their Alumni program and often publishes in the Athletics Canada magazine.

When Bruce is not involved with sports, he spends his time with his wife Rosemary and their newborn son. He also works part-time for the Centre for Applied Academics in Victoria, and he is a youth pastor at his church. His recreation time is spent with the family and taking walks. Talking to Bruce, you realise how much he appreciates his wife who has been encouraging him for many years. Before the baby arrived, she would often ride her bicycle beside Bruce as he completed his long runs. Now, whenever Bruce has to leave his family to races around the world, he realises the sacrifices his wife makes of looking after the baby while he pursues his dreams.

As an athlete, Bruce Deacon has reached more dreams than most runners. Bruce is particularly pleased with his performance at the 1995 World Championship held in Goteborg, Sweden. Going in ranked 71^st, he ultimately finished 11^th. At one point he was even as high as 9^th. It was a wonderful day for Bruce, a day where everything clicked. Since then, Bruce has also represented Canada at the World Championship in Athens in 1997 and in Seville in 1999. In Seville, Spain, this past summer, Bruce had to be conservative as the temperatures were in the high 30s. He wisely paced himself and finished where he expected to. In Sydney this year, we will have a chance once again to see Bruce use his vast experience and thoughtful strategy as he once again represents Canada on the international stage.