British middle-distance runner-turned-coach appears again on her European indoor 3000m victory in Paris in 2011
I used to be 32 once I began doing the steeplechase. I used to be pushed in direction of it by British Athletics, as a result of 2008 was the primary time it was going to be within the Olympics. I’d by no means even jumped over a barrier till I used to be in my 30s, so I didn’t have that pure hurdling means. I practised, however I loved operating on the flat extra and I simply felt like I wished to alter.
In 2010 I’d run the Commonwealth 1500m and steeplechase and it was a turning level. I’d fallen out of affection with the steeple just a little bit. I’d gone for the 1500m, however ended up operating each, as a result of I’d carried out this qualifying time and there was a spot accessible within the steeplechase, however I ended up coming fourth in that.
I spoke to John Nuttall, my coach, and I stated: “What do you assume my greatest choices are for 2012?” He went: “Let’s go for 5000m/10,000m and have an actual good bash at that.” Going into the winter of 2010 and getting ready for the 2011 season, we went to excessive altitude coaching in Kenya.
We had no intention of doing the indoors that season, however, as we obtained going within the camp, I used to be feeling in actually fine condition.
I mentioned it with John and we thought: “Let’s simply do a few indoor races”. I got here again and I did the GB v USA match in Glasgow. I received that and broke Liz McColgan’s stadium report. I did the Grand Prix in Birmingham and ran a 3000m PB there of 8:39.
Going into the European Indoor Championships, on paper I used to be in all probability the quickest, however I’d beforehand come fourth twice over 1500m at these championships, so it was like: ‘Will it ever really occur for me?’
We talked in regards to the techniques. The Polish athlete Lidia Chojecka had received the champs twice beforehand and was in all probability the one to beat. There have been a few Russian athletes who had been good, too. It was about weighing up one of the best technique, however I simply felt no person was actually going to take it on as a quick race. So long as it was a superb clip and I used to be up there on the entrance and able to strike, we believed that I may win, as a result of I had a superb kick.
I’d by no means actually trusted myself to sit down and kick, although. Earlier than, I in all probability would grind it out after which dangle on. It was in all probability the primary time I did precisely what John advised me to do in a race. He stated: “Ensure you’re within the entrance few, but when any person goes previous you, that’s a superb factor. You tag on to them.” That’s just about what occurred.
I by no means used to consider in my kick, however I did that day. I obtained into the lead, however the Russian lady Olesya Syreva was coming for me, so even once I crossed the road I knew it was fairly shut. Had I really received one thing for the primary time ever? I had. It was a stupendous second, as a result of that was a very long time coming.
I received a bronze medal within the Commonwealth Video games in 2002 over 1500m firstly of my profession. At that time, you’re like: “Hopefully I’ll have masses extra days like this”. After which I made groups and I obtained in finals, however I’d usually be fourth, or not be nice within the remaining, or not make finals. You assume your probability to get on prime of a podium has gone, so it was a very nice second, much more so as a result of, from the second I turned 30, I’d stroll off the observe and be requested: “When are you ending?” not “What’s subsequent?”
Helen Clitheroe (Mark Shearman)
Jo Pavey’s a first-rate instance of it, and there are numerous athletes, particularly feminine athletes, who run effectively of their 30s. I used to be 37. I used to be the oldest individual to ever win a European indoor title. I keep in mind being advised on the time it was uncommon to run that effectively on the observe – that it was extra seemingly you’d turn into a superb marathon runner in your late thirties. It was simply so good to go: “We will nonetheless do that.”
I did change my coaching just a little bit as I obtained older. I in all probability was cautious on laborious periods and recovered earlier than I did the subsequent one. Extra thought went into that, simply because I used to be respectful that it would take me a bit longer to get well. So long as you’re taking care of your self and also you’re taking care of your physique, you may nonetheless run quick. I felt like so many individuals had puzzled once I was ending, somewhat than pondering that I may really get on prime of a podium.
As athletes, you will get just a little bit blasé about making a workforce or going to a championships. There are some athletes that you already know are common medal winners, however the overwhelming majority don’t get that many medals. That’s the precise reality of it.
READ MORE: My biggest race archives
I’ve had these conversations with a great deal of athletes I do know, or have even labored with as a coach through the years. They could wonder if to hassle operating on the Commonwealth Video games or indoor championships however I say: “Belief me, getting a medal would be the factor you’re remembered for.”
Not that many individuals get to face on an Olympic podium. As an athlete, you must take a look at the alternatives to characterize your nation and take a look at the alternatives that will provide you with one of the best probability to get as excessive up as attainable within the competitors.
The European Indoors, European Champs outside and Commonwealth Video games are the competitions that supply that. For some athletes, it’s a stepping stone to higher issues, however, for others, it’s absolutely the spotlight of their lives.
As advised to Mark Woods
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