Joey Duck: Unstoppable

A hail of dust and laser projections compete for the attention of bright young sprinter Joey Duck in Nike's exhilarating short to launch new innovation fabric, Hyperfuse. Bound together using heat and pressure, the triple-layer composite material is a seamless wonder, derived from technology originally created as a design solution to the wear-and-tear of blacktop basketball courts on footwear and now being introduced to Nike sportswear. With gold medals at the European Championships and Senior Aviva World Trials to her credit, 22-year-old Duck is one of Great Britain’s hotly tipped standouts for London’s 2012 Olympic games. Her trainer agreed to the film on the condition that she spend the shoot on a treadmill, clocking a level of mileage commensurate to an average training day, but the session presented its own set of challenges. “It definitely tested my balance and concentration skills,” the athlete says. “Multitasking was the order of the day: trying to run, not fall off the treadmill and ignore the explosions!” Nike commissioned Remi Paringaux, former Vogue Hommes Japan art director and founder of POST Magazine, to direct the film, which utilizes a three-part split screen as a visual echo for the fabric’s groundbreaking assets: stability, breathability and durability. We stole precious time with Duck to find out what it takes to beat the clock.

How did filming compare with your usual training regimen?
It didn't compare at all! I never go on a treadmill. I like to keep my feet firmly on the track—one that doesn't rotate.



What does your average day consist of?

I'm usually up at the track for 10am, which isn't too bad. I'll have a main session in the morning, whether it's running or weights. Depending on the day I'll have other bits like plyometrics and circuits included. On most days I will be back in the afternoon for either maintenance/rehab exercises, training drills or pilates.



How do you celebrate after a race?
If it's a weekend Mum will cook a roast dinner—a must after a good race on a Sunday. 



How do you relax when you’re not on the track?

The usual things 22-year-olds do: go shopping, chill out with friends, go to the cinema, see the family, sleep! 

What are you most looking forward to about the 2012 Olympics?
I'm excited to see the show London can put on. The atmosphere in the athletics stadium will be incredible, and I think that excitement will be around London for the entire games.