Jemma Reekie says the “horrendous” disappointment of failing to succeed in final yr’s Olympic 800m remaining is driving her on within the quest to win a significant international out of doors medal.
The Scot was ranked on the planet’s prime three within the self-discipline going into the Paris Video games, however did not safe a shot at a podium end after inserting fifth in her semi-final.
“It nonetheless hurts now however I’ve needed to flip it right into a optimistic,” says the 27-year-old, eight months on.
“That have pushed me to be extra wholesome bodily and mentally. I believe it should push me ahead, nevertheless it was laborious.
“It was horrendous on the time and it was unhealthy for the entire workforce round me, for my household to see it occur, however we’ve got used it to be like ‘what can we do higher, what can we enhance on from that scenario?’
“It has actually pushed me as an individual, studying new expertise to take care of issues. This stuff do make us stronger, so hopefully I’m out of the top of that and I can begin getting these medals.”
The Kilbarchan runner has been targeted on mindfulness and work-life steadiness as a result of, as she says, “if I’m glad, I run quick”.
“In all probability the previous six weeks I’ve been within the nicest psychological glad house that I’ve been in and I believe it’s actually exhibiting in my coaching,” Reekie says.
Reekie, who received 800m silver on the World Indoor Championships final yr, is working laborious to make sure her life off the monitor is on level to be able to assist her efficiency on it.
“Bodily, it has been constant. I’m actually wholesome, my restoration is absolutely good after which mentally I’ve been doing a little breath work,” she provides.
“I’ve actually been prioritising myself exterior of the game and simply taking care of myself, as a result of as athletes we simply suppose ‘coaching, coaching, coaching’ and we do not consider the issues exterior of the game – how one can get these one per cents.
“I wish to carry out at coaching to my highest capacity – each session I need it to be wonderful and typically I get caught in that loop.
“However truly having some issues exterior the game and having fun with life exterior the game has introduced my coaching on much more.”
The 2-time Olympian will probably be constructing her season in the direction of the World Championship in Tokyo in September, with Olympic and European champion Keely Hodgkinson very a lot the lady to beat over 800m.
“Keely is a good athlete and actually robust,” provides Reekie.
“She is pushing us to study new issues about ourselves, to work tougher, and it’s nice.
“I ran the second-quickest time on the planet final yr, so I’m not 1,000,000 miles away – and I do know what I’ve received to do to get nearer and nearer.”