“My biggest rebound was in my first year as a professional triathlete. I had a stress fracture in my leg. I had put so much effort and hard work into my training, but then didn’t have the chance to prove myself. I had to go away and make myself even stronger, which I did in my second year. The key thing was not worrying about how everyone else’s training was going. You have to focus on yourself and set your own goals.
“Manage the anxiety you feel by reminding yourself that you started competing for fun. I always keep that element of fun in my mind. Pressure usually comes from ourselves, so try to work with this and turn it around. I often use visualisation to help my mental strength. I recall hard sessions and this helps me realise that, if I got through that session, I can get through the race. As a swimmer, I used to think about every turn, and I apply the same process to running. I break down a race and visualise every part of it, from the starting gun to the finish. This helps me know that, when the adrenaline kicks in, I will be able to control my nerves. Mental preparation is the key for any race. You also need to enjoy your running to succeed.”