What’s it’s like being involved in elite sport?
Everyday.
You have to find what pushes and keeps you going when are out in the pouring rain doing a fartlek session, and wondering why on earth you are there! You have to find something to drive you to carry on. For me it’s racing and the desire to win. The thought of pushing my body to do something it’s never done before, run faster than i have, and be on the podium representing my country gets my heart racing just thinking about it. It’s also the fact that I love what I do, I love training and being around like-minded, positive people, and seeing myself improve everyday. The thought of one day being paid to do what I love as a job is the dream.
It’s hard to put it into words how lucky I am to be involved in athletics, it’s a great sport for everyone- there is an event for anyone and any age!
Of course it’s hard, and being a popular sport, the climb to the top is massive, and the journey for me has only just begun. It’s not just physical, it’s very mentally tough and you have to be able to cope with that.
I’m very lucky to be in a place where there are great coaches and facilities, but that’s the thing with athletics- to get to the top you need a lot of help because as much as it is an individual sport; parents,physio’s,coaches,
Being at school still can be a struggle to balance A levels with training. Especially as my group train at 10am, so to train with them and my coach I have to arrange school and training and be organised. But I really can’t complain, I’m in a great position where my school help me when they can.
No matter what sport you do it is never going to be easy, people tend to think it’s a uphill struggle but a smooth one, and in fact that’s not true. To be involved in elite sport your going to face setbacks and injurys – your body isn’t designed to do hours of training every day. So you have to be expecting that, but know how to deal with it. Everyone trying to reach the top will come across some setbacks, but it’s the one who fight through it who come out on top! And I am prepared to work hard to make it there, as I know that i haven’t scratched the surface on what I know I can one day do!
