Welcome to AIM Track NZ. If you’re new here, this post is your introduction to the coaching philosophy behind AIM Athletics (Athletes in Motion) — and the person shaping how we develop sprinters and middle-distance runners in Wellington.
Who is Coach Simon Bowen?
Coach Simon Bowen brings a rare blend of sprint and middle-distance expertise, shaped across Jamaica, the United States, and now New Zealand. He’s a former elite athlete, coach, and track analyst — known for blending high-performance sprint mechanics with smart, progressive endurance development to help athletes run faster, move better, and compete with confidence.
Based in Wellington, Simon coaches athletes across the speed spectrum — from explosive 100–400m sprinters through to 800–1500m middle-distance runners — under one integrated AIM system.
The AIM Coaching Philosophy: Speed + Technique + Sustainability
AIM is built on one simple belief: Great performance comes from world-class fundamentals, applied consistently over time.
That means:
- Technical precision (posture, rhythm, mechanics)
- Speed development (acceleration, max velocity, speed endurance)
- Strength and robustness (resilience, injury prevention, athletic movement quality)
- Race intelligence (execution, pacing, confidence under pressure)
- Long-term athlete development (age-appropriate training, progression, balance)
“Jamaican speed principles” — with a NZ endurance edge
Jamaica is known globally for sprint excellence — powerful acceleration, crisp mechanics, relaxed speed. AIM carries that same standard into every sprint programme: technical mastery first, speed second, and intensity applied with purpose.
But AIM also embraces New Zealand’s proud middle-distance heritage — where aerobic development, discipline, and smart training systems have produced legends. At AIM, speed and endurance aren’t separate worlds. We build complete athletes who can move efficiently, tolerate training, and peak when it matters.
Coaching Range: Sprinters and Middle Distance
What makes AIM different is the ability to coach across disciplines without losing the details.
Sprinters (100–400m)
AIM focuses on:
- acceleration and drive mechanics
- max velocity efficiency
- speed endurance and 400m rhythm
- race modelling and execution
Middle distance (800–1500m)
AIM develops:
- running economy and stride efficiency
- controlled aerobic base and tempo progression
- speed reserve (so athletes can change gears)
- tactical racing and finishing strength
The shared thread? Mechanics, rhythm, and efficiency — because wasted movement costs sprinters time and costs middle-distance runners energy.
A track record built on development
Simon’s coaching journey includes roles across different levels and systems — from school programmes through to high-performance environments — with a consistent focus on one thing: athlete development.
AIM exists to bring that development mindset to NZ athletes — combining proven sprint principles and middle distance methodology, modern training structure, and a supportive performance culture where young athletes can thrive.
Join us
Whether you’re a sprinter chasing sharper speed, an 800m runner building strength and confidence, or a developing athlete wanting a professional pathway — AIM is here to help you move better and perform better.
Thanks for reading. If you’d like to connect, drop a comment on the blog or reach out via aimtrack.nz — we’d love to hear from you.