It’s ten weeks on from the Nationals Championships in Perth, and I am just days away from boarding my flight to Europe. The main focus of my trip is not based around a championship race this time, but to compete in some world class races where I am hoping to produce some fast times. My aim is to achieve the 1500m A-qualifier (4:09.50) for this year’s Commonwealth Games.
As I look back to a year ago when I left Brisbane with the World University Team, I was underdone. I had only managed one month of training after weeks of injury disruption. This time around I am feeling better prepared. I have been able to complete 2 months of solid winter base training after the track season, with the only disruption being a minor head cold. During this block of training, I have been very lucky to have Nick “Copey” Cope keeping me very honest in tough sessions and entertaining me with his sick jokes. I even had some help from my boyfriend, Ben Toomey, as he joined me on a few runs. I also had a positive race outcome at Leonora’s Golden Mile. It was a tactical, championship style race with a big sprint finish to the line between Lisa, Erica and myself. In addition to the result, the secnd place prize money I won has come in handy to fund this trip to Europe.
I will be leaving Sydney to set up base in Koln (GER) for five to six weeks. With lots of confidence in my training, being armed with knowledge and experience from my few races last year in Europe, I head over fully prepared to give it my best. The disappointment of my race in Daegu (KOR), five weeks ago, has made me hungrier than ever to get out there, redeem myself and run fast in my first race.
At this stage, my early racing schedule is:
2nd July: Madrid (ESP) - 1500m
10th July: Heusden-Zolder (BEL) - 1500m
13th July: Liege (BEL) - 800m
The race in Madrid is looking to be a good opener, and a chance to knock out the time straight away. I'm looking forward to putting together a great european campaign, and can't wait for it to begin. Hopefully, it will culminate with my addition to the Australian Commonwealth Games Team.
