If I wasn’t doing this now I’d be…
A physiotherapist. I used to work as a physiotherapist before becoming a full time athlete. I really enjoyed it, it was very rewarding and I had great work mates.
A phrase I use too often is …
I will tidy that up later.
My ideal night out is …
Out for a curry drinking red wine with close family and friends.
In moments of weakness I …
Drink a little too much red wine. Not in the lead up to important races though.
The best age to be is …
My current age. I’m enjoying life and I feel like I am more experienced than when I was younger. There is always more to learn though and lots of fun to look forward to.
The best bit of my body is…
My legs, they help me to run.
The worst bit is…
My back, it is so stiff and immobile.
My most disgusting habit is…
Being untidy around the house.
The most surprising thing that ever happened to me was...
Making the Olympic final in Sydney. It was very surprising at the time. I was just so thrilled to be at the Olympics and did not think I would be able to make the final. I didn’t do very well in the final though as my legs were so sore from the qualifying round!
Not many people know this about me but …
I love surfing. I don’t do it whilst I am an athlete but I plan to live somewhere where I can go surfing when I retire.
I wish more people would take notice of …
How lucky they are.
You know me as an athlete but in another life I’d be…
A rock star.
Before I die I want to…
Meet Bono from U2, and see the band the Killers as I have not seen them live yet.
In a nutshell my philosophy is…
Enjoy life
I drive…
A Volkswagon Boro, quite an old one. I’m not in to flashy new cars. I would find it embarrassing to drive a really expensive posey car, it is not me.
A book that changed me was…
Nelson Mandela. A Long Walk to Freedom.
The person who influenced me most is…
My husband.
Last good thing I saw on TV…
The latest series of 24.
Last piece of good advice someone gave me was…
Stop worrying.
When comfort eating I choose…
Chocolate.
When I was a child I wanted to be…
An astronaut.
My biggest regret is…
When I was younger, not knowing as much about training and how to train consistently without getting injured as I do now. I think a lot of athletes are in this position. Obviously there is always more to learn.
At night I dream of
Achieving my goals and then my husband and I being happy in our home with some little kids.
I wish I’d never worn…
Trousers that looked like curtains.
The sound track to my life is…
U2 Joshua Tree
The best invention ever is…
Chocolate
It’s not fashionable but…
I like to be warm.
All my money goes on…
coffee, eating out, CDs, jeans.
My idea of perfect happiness is…
A day at the beach.
My most embarrassing moment was…
Finishing last in the final in Helsinki as I was ill. I was too ill to run for 3 months after that race.
My most treasured possession is…
My Grandma’s necklace.
My favourite quote is..
Go for it.
My biggest rival is…
Myself, I always want to improve on what I have done before.
My guiltiest pleasure is…
Red wine
My greatest achievement is…
4th in World Champs in Osaka, 5th Athens Olympics, Commonwealth Games in Melbourne 2nd. 5000m pb of 14:39
My greatest extravagance is…
New lap top.
My greatest fear is…
Flying
My ideal dinner companions are…
My husband, Bono, Brandon Flowers, Nelson Mandela, Will Ferrell and close family and friends.
The most fashionable thing I own is…
Ipod
The best compliment I ever received was…
I look up to you as I know you are running clean.
My most important life lesson life has been…
Enjoy every day.
Who would play you in a movie of your life?
A younger Elizabeth Taylor.
Where and when are you at your happiest?
On the beach.
Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
Beach bum
What have you learned from your travels?
To appreciate what you have. We train a lot in South Africa and it is sad to see the struggles that people still have to live with there.
Who is your ideal traveling companion?
My husband.
What’s the first thing you do when you arrive somewhere new?
Get a hire car.
What makes you depressed?
People being nasty.
When did you last cry and why?
That’s private
Cat or dog?
Dog
Skinny or curvy?
Curvy
Kisses or cuddles?
Cuddles
Salty or sweet?
Sweet
Night in or party?
Party
Cool or geeky?
Cool
Give or receive?
Give
Tattoos or piercings?
Piercings
Tracksuit or jeans?
Jeans
Winter or Summer?
Summer
What song would you like played as you cross the finish line in a big race?
U2 Vertigo
What’s the best after race / championship party you’ve ever been to?
European Cross Country Championships after parties. It’s great because there is always a big team and unlike other champs everyone has finished their event on the same day. An extra bonus is that because of the time of year it is held it allows you to let your hair down a bit after the event.
Will you stay involved in athletics when you retire?
I would love to coach at the local athletics club.
What rules would you change to make athletics / your event more exciting?
Ban the cheats for longer
What’s the biggest challenge facing athletics today?
To make it drug free. I still feel I have to accept that I run against some cheats at every championships. I feel there needs to be much more World-wide out of competition testing in the important weeks prior to athletes flying out to the champs. It is obvious that cheats would ensure that the substances are no longer in their system before arriving at the competition location.
How would you like to be remembered?
As a clean athlete. Hopefully friendly and enjoyed the sport.
What makes athletics the best sport on the planet?
It is so exciting, dramatic and action packed. The result is so definite; there is no judging to determine the results so the crowd can see it right away. As a competitor you can always work towards new goals and PB’s so it is very easy to keep motivated.
