Rule walked away with the gold medal in the 800m, cutting more than 3s off her previous best with a time of 2m 04.43s. She was also part of the gold-medal-winning Black Batons 4x400m mixed relay team \u2013 alongside Lex Revell-Lewis, Jordyn Blake and Tommy Te Puni \u2013 who set a new meet and New Zealand record in the event at 3m 19.39s. <\/p>\n
\u201cI just really wanted to break my 400 PB because it\u2019d been five years since I had,\u201d Rule said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI really focused on that leading into Oceanias; had a really good training block and was running PBs in training. I really focused on my gym as well with guidance from my coach Nuree Greenhalgh. We tried to work on my speed and my strength, and then I think that translated really well and really nicely coming into Oceanias because I felt super confident as well.\u201d <\/p>\n
Rule\u2019s performances were all the more rewarding as she had to manage hamstring and foot injuries last year, which interrupted her training. <\/p>\n
Now, Rule has her sights set higher. Asked what her focus would be moving forward, she said she was leaving the door open. <\/p>\n
The Black Batons 4x400m mixed relay team of Tommy Te Puni, Jordyn Blake, Holly Rule and Lex Revell-Lewis won gold at the Oceania Athletics Championships. Photo \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019m probably better at the 800, but I would love to do more relays with the 400 so I\u2019ll keep focusing on that because we\u2019ve got a really great relay progression coming up. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to be a part of the mixed 4×400 or the 4×400 girls for the next world champs. That\u2019d be a big goal. And then for the 800 as well. So yeah, I\u2019m not too sure. A mix of both.\u201d <\/p>\n
An initiative established last year by Greenhalgh and Sonia Waddell, a 4x100m mixed relay Black Batons team became the first New Zealand team to compete at the World Relay Championships when they ran in Botswana earlier this year. <\/p>\n
Rule said that initiative provided an additional pathway for athletes in New Zealand to explore in the hugely competitive sport. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve really inspired a lot of us sprinters and have made us find a lot of love for the sport again through the relays,\u201d Rule said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of opportunities within that and it\u2019s a great team aspect as well, because the sport can be quite lonely by yourself. <\/p>\n
\u201cI guess everyone\u2019s just motivated to run for each other as well and, running for a team, you just always want to do well for everyone.\u201d <\/p>\n