Jemma Reekie says the “horrendous” disappointment of failing to achieve final yr’s Olympic 800m last is driving her on within the quest to win a significant international out of doors medal.
The Scot was ranked on the earth’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 is going to push me ahead, but it surely was laborious.
“It was horrendous on the time and it was dangerous for the entire crew round me, for my household to see it occur, however now we have 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 tip 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 completely satisfied, I run quick”.
“Most likely the previous six weeks I’ve been within the nicest psychological completely satisfied area 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 observe is on level in an effort to assist her efficiency on it.
“Bodily, it has been constant. I’m actually wholesome, my restoration is basically good after which mentally I’ve been performing some breath work,” she provides.
“I’ve actually been prioritising myself outdoors 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 outdoors of the game – how one can get these one per cents.
“I need to carry out at coaching to my highest capacity – each session I would like it to be superb and typically I get caught in that loop.
“However truly having some issues outdoors the game and having fun with life outdoors the game has introduced my coaching on much more.”
The 2-time Olympian will probably be constructing her season in 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 be taught new issues about ourselves, to work more durable, and it’s nice.
“I ran the second-quickest time on the earth final yr, so I’m not one million miles away – and I do know what I’ve bought to do to get nearer and nearer.”
