Work, Rest and Play - Kirani James

Published by IAAF on February 10, 2014

London 2012 Olympic Games 400m champion Kirani James, from Grenada, has proved to be one of the genuine superstars of global athletics in the past few seasons.

He offers a glimpse into his life by answering our work, rest and play questions.

KIRANI AT WORK

What is your favourite training session?

Kirani James: Any ladder work out whether that is 400m, 300, 200m and 100m or 100m, 200m, 300m and 400m. It is a great workout.

What are your favourite three things about being an athlete?

KJ: One, to get to do something I love. Second, to be given the chance to make people who really care about you really proud; and thirdly, to have an effect on people that I never thought I’d have an effect on.

What is your favourite training venue?

KJ: I would say at home in Grenada because it is not only a good place to train but it is where everything started for me.

What is your favourite music to train to?

KJ: I usually don’t listen to music when I train but, If I’m going out for a jog, I might put my music on. I’ll listen to either soca or reggae/dance hall music. Right now I’m really into Chronic, a Jamaican reggae artist. He’s very talented and is actually my age. I always look forward to listening to his music. I’ve been listening to him for a long time in the car. It is the kind of music that I would normally play until it annoys me and because I’m not annoyed yet, I’ll keep on listening.

Who is your favourite training partner?

KJ: For the past couple of years, I’ve trained on my own. Yet, when I was back in Grenada, I trained with a group called Speed Zone. We had some pretty interesting characters on that team, a really funny bunch of guys. It was great to train with them and form that kind of friendship.