Constructor Tyquendo

While athletes have various ways to occupy their time during the season, two-time national 100 metres champion Tyquendo Tracey has found comfort in construction technology to keep his mind active during the season and beyond, as he plots his future after the track.

Tracey, 30, has gradually improved from his first two 100 metres races this season, having finished second at the Racers' Grand Prix on June 3 in a season's best time of 10.26, as well as clocking 10.27 at last Saturday's JAAA All Comers meet.

Tracey, who studied construction technology while in college, has had an affinity for the discipline, something he has used to sharpen his mind during the season.

"I tend to bury myself in construction at times, doing different drawings on my laptop or whatever the case may be. I do different things to keep my mind occupied. I always find something to do to really occupy myself," Tracey said.

"I've always loved the start and finish phase. To look at even a field or even the side of the hill and see how you can really put a structure on there, from start to finish, it's amazing. It has always been something that I am interested in."

He says he will dive fully into this once he hangs up his spikes, but now, he finds it beneficial in his athletics life in how he trains and prepares.

"When you think about where an athlete comes from in September, when most people will start training for the trials in June, it's almost like coming from nothing. You build up yourself, get stronger, faster, with more endurance, day by day, week by week, month by month. Where you see where you come from then, to even at this point of the season, it's really amazing," Tracey said.

With the National Championships on the horizon, Tracey is encouraged by his form in getting him to the World Championships, instead of the progression of his rivals.

"It might sound weird because I ran 10.2, but it's normal. The year that I ran my first sub-10 (in 2018), I was running consistent 10.4s. It is just a matter of getting the body and the mind to align when it's time.

"As long as you stay fit and put in the training, you will be fine. Everyone's programme is different. I'm sure you have seen other guys run super fast already. That is just their programme. I've never been wired that way. For me, the aim is always trials and onwards," he said.