Former Canberra runner Brett Robinson says a bittersweet Rio Olympic Games experience will drive him to chase faster times, starting with the world cross country championship trials at Mt Stromlo.
Robinson will return to the capital to join a hot field in the 10 kilometre men's race with the top three automatically winning selection on the Australian team to compete in Uganda.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 11: Brett Robinson of Eureka Athletics competes in the Men's 10000 metre run Zatopek open during Zatopek:10 held at Lakeside Stadium on December 11, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)Credit:Graham Denholm
Robinson has been in scintillating form since finishing 14th in the 5000 metres final at the Olympics last year.
The 25-year-old won four long-distance road races after Rio and also has his sights set on the athletics world championships this year, the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next year and the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
"I was in pretty good shape going into Rio and then I was ready to go again pretty quickly afterwards," Robinson said.
"The last month of training has been maybe the best month I've had. I've never been running as well has I have so I know I'm in pretty good shape.
"The focus is to get on the [cross country team], finishing in the top three is automatic but I'll be trying everything I can to win the race."
Robinson drove from his Falls Creek base to Canberra on Friday. Robinson moved away from the capital five years ago to set up a new training headquarters in Victoria.
He expects stablemate Stewart Mcsweyn to be one of his major rivals while Canberra runners Bryce Anderson and Reece Edwards will also compete.
Former Canberra triathlete Michelle Wu will race in the women's 10 kilometre event with Athletics Australia selectors watching on.
Robinson powered into the final of hte 5000 metres in Rio, but tired legs hindered his chance of making a major statement in the medal race.
He says he has learned from that experience and is using the lessons to get himself ready to run on the big stage.
"Rio was bittersweet for me. My heat was my best race of the year and to have your best race of the year at the Olympics, that doesn't happen very often," Robinson said.
"So I was happy with that, but I had some trouble backing up to race the final a couple of days later.
"Looking back I'm very happy with that and what I did. But always room for improvement."
The world cross country championships will be held in Kampala in Uganda on March 26 while the track world championships will be in London from August 4-13.
CROSS COUNTRY SELECTION TRIALS
Sunday: Men's open 10km at 7.30am, open women 10km at 7.55am, junior boys 8km at 8.25am, junior girls 6km at 8.45am on the Robert de Castella running track.
Please find attach entry lists for Sunday's Australian Selection Trials for the World Cross Country Championships being held this Sunday (29 January) at Stromlo Forest Park from 7:30am.
Chris Dutton is the sports editor at The Canberra Times.