British middle-distance runner-turned-coach seems to be again on her European indoor 3000m victory in Paris in 2011
I used to be 32 after 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 capacity. I practised, however I loved working 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 a bit bit. I’d gone for the 1500m, however ended up working 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 mentioned: “What do you suppose my finest 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 gained 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 truly occur for me?’
We talked in regards to the techniques. The Polish athlete Lidia Chojecka had gained the champs twice beforehand and was in all probability the one to beat. There have been a few Russian athletes who have been good, too. It was about weighing up one of the best technique, however I simply felt no one was actually going to take it on as a quick race. So long as it was a great 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 great kick.
I’d by no means actually trusted myself to take a seat and kick, although. Earlier than, I in all probability would grind it out after which cling on. It was in all probability the primary time I did precisely what John instructed me to do in a race. He mentioned: “Be sure you’re within the entrance few, but when someone goes previous you, that’s a great 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 woman Olesya Syreva was coming for me, so even after I crossed the road I knew it was fairly shut. Had I truly gained one thing for the primary time ever? I had. It was an exquisite second, as a result of that was a very long time coming.
I gained a bronze medal within the Commonwealth Video games in 2002 over 1500m originally 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 typically be fourth, or not be nice within the remaining, or not make finals. You suppose 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 properly 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 instructed on the time it was uncommon to run that properly on the observe – that it was extra possible you’d develop into a great marathon runner in your late thirties. It was simply so good to go: “We are able to nonetheless do that.”
I did change my coaching a bit bit as I obtained older. I in all probability was cautious on arduous classes and recovered earlier than I did the following one. Extra thought went into that, simply because I used to be respectful that it would take me a bit longer to get better. 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 questioned after I was ending, fairly than pondering that I may truly get on prime of a podium.
As athletes, you may get a bit bit blasé about making a workforce or going to a championships. There are some athletes that you understand 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 working 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 need to have a look at the alternatives to characterize your nation and have a look at the alternatives that provides you with one of the best probability to get as excessive up as doable within the competitors.
The European Indoors, European Champs open air 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 instructed to Mark Woods
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