After a much-decorated collegiate career at St. John’s University, sprinter Leah Anderson has embarked on a professional track career. Reflective of her heritage, Anderson is representing Jamaica.
While the country has excellent sprinters, its talent is not as deep in the 400 meters as in the shorter distances. The time for qualification in the women’s 400 meters is 50.95. If Anderson falls short of that mark, Jamaica can still name her to the Olympic team. “It feels better to know that I ran the standard,” said Anderson, who has until the end of June to achieve the desired number and has several races over the next few weeks to achieve her goal.
With her bachelor’s degree earned, majoring in illustration, Anderson has been able to focus on training and competing. “It’s definitely different from college,” she said. “You are more in control of your life…Everything is more based on you. There’s less of a team dynamic.”
Anderson is part of the International Elite Program (IEP) with the Central Park Track Club. She continues to train in New York. For the outdoor season, she’s training at Riverbank State Park.
Earlier this year, she ran for Jamaica at the World Athletics Indoor Championships. Getting the call was exciting, and she knew expectations were high. There was even some commotion after her race when she needed a moment to rest, but stories of a post-race collapse were unfounded. “They said my heart was beating fast. I said that’s what happens when you run,” she said.
Pro track has propelled Anderson’s glam quotient. She’s honed her skills at makeup, lashes, nails, and hair. “That’s the world of track and field; you have to look flawless and confident even though it’s a brutal sport and not easy on the body,” she said.
Anderson is keeping her hand in illustration and has created a few commissioned works. Once she’s settled into pro track life, she’ll increase her focus on that. Her goal is to keep running for at least one or two more Olympics. “I have to see how my body feels,” she said.
The World Athletics Relays are this weekend. To keep herself motivated, Anderson does visualization, picturing herself in Paris at the Olympic Opening Ceremony. “It’s going to be a very surreal feeling if I get to go,” she said. “It’s going to be great.”