BACK IN 2012, when I ran in the 800m at the World Juniors, I thought the athletics world was my oyster. I had clocked 2:02.32 in the semi to make the final, where I came sixth. My personal best coming into that year was 2:07 and I now realise this is something to be proud of, even if I didn’t feel that way at the time.
I had read autobiographies, articles and interviews with senior athletes who all said that the road to success was not straightforward, that it was full of ups and downs. And, although I had already faced some of my own challenges, I was so naive that I never considered I might not achieve my goals.
I was balancing my training with a full-time degree so surely there was loads to be gained by resting more, training harder, eating better and adding a few more years of training? I set myself the goals of making the European Under-23 Championships teams in 2013 and 2015, and the home Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. I had hopes, too, of making it to this year’s Olympics. I am honoured and proud that I made it to my home Games in 2014, it was an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life.