I started training with school friends and, one by one, they all dropped out. When we became teenagers, it seemed more exciting to go shopping at weekends. My mum told me not to worry about what my friends were doing and to stick at it.
From Jessica Ennis-Hill
I dislike conflict, so I do try and steer clear of arguments. Apart from with my coach. Who I literally have an argument with every day.
The closer I get to retirement, the more I feel it will be a huge change, a shock, because athletics has been the core of my whole life. I know I'll miss the feeling of running fast, the adrenaline rush, and hearing the crowd cheering me on.
I love championships. That's when I want to be at my best. I love those environments. It brings the best out of me.
As soon as I had a child, he became the priority. Now, I fit my training around him. I've changed as an athlete.
There is a need to be the best you can be. You can't panic; you concentrate. When I run up to the hurdles, I'm very nervous, but I'll tend to think about technical things to keep my mind focused.
With athletics, you put all that training in for only two major championships a year and the Olympics every four years. So when you get on top of the podium, it is relief and excitement and... Oh! it has all been worthwhile... the hard work, the sacrifices.
Motherhood has changed me as a person. I'm much happier and very content with life. That can only transfer positively to the track. It will make me a better athlete.
I have always been small and one of the smallest heptathletes out there. And earlier in my career, I was faced with coaches and athletes who felt I was too small to be a multi-eventer. It gives you a push to show you can do it.
Being a mother changes perspective. Things that were once really important, the sole focus of your life, aren't the same.
3 perspectives
2 perspectives
1 perspectives