How do you prepare mentally for a race?
I try not to think about the race during the days before it. I know it’s there but it’s best not to dwell on it. I do prepare by mentally going through the warm-up and putting myself in the starting position. I go through the pattern of what happens. A road race is a bit different as there are no pens. For track races you’re kept in a pen 20 minutes before the race so you have to do your warm-up before you go in the pen. When you’re in the pen you just have to keep yourself warmed-up, keep stretching, maybe psyche out your competitors at bit.

How do you get on with your rivals?
You get to know most of the people you’re running against quite well – we’ve been competing against each other for years. We have a catch-up every race. We tend not to socialise outside of running – after all we are rivals. It’s great though as the standard of women’s running in Britain is very high so it keeps you on your toes. It brings out the best in everyone.

How do you control your nerves?
I do usually get very nervous but if I’m not nervous I’m worried about not being nervous! You don’t want to get complacent. Nerves are good. I definitely run better when I’m nervous. I don’t have any superstitions or routines. No lucky T-shirts. Just imagine if you couldn’t find your lucky T-shirt on the day of the race. Then what would you do?
Which distance do you feel most comfortable with? The longer the better. 5k and 10k.

How have you managed to stay focused and disciplined at such a young age?
Well, I’ve been running since I was 10 and racing seriously since I was 12. I’ve always been encouraged to take it seriously and I’m used to staying focused so it feels quite normal to me.

Which school did you go to? Was there a particular games teacher who encouraged you?
I went to Richard Pates primary school and that’s where it all started really. I went to school with my old coach’s son. We used to compete in the local schools’ cross-country races. My coach had seen me race there and I always used to come 2nd… to the same girl. He asked if I wanted to come training and I ended up training with him for eight years. After Richard Pates I went to Cheltenham College. Of course, there’s lots of sport there. By the time I got there I was training and running outside school. But even so, all the teachers were enthusiastic and very supportive. I was very lucky.

Who have been your inspirations?
Paula Radcliffe. She’s been leading the way for us in middle and long distance. She also went to Loughborough. She’s given me a lot of advice and financial help and she’s been really supportive. Who else would I say? Well anyone at the top of their game – all of the medallists in Beijing. Even back as far as people like Muhammad Ali. It’s inspirational to see how hard work pays off.

Who has helped you get where you are today?
John Nuttall has been my coach since I’ve been at Loughborough. He was a Commonwealth Games Bronze medal winner in the 5,000m so he knows what it takes. I also owe a lot to my sponsors: I’m sponsored by Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, a City law firm who are backing four other athletes as well, in our bid to represent Great Britain at 2012. Their support has meant I can get some altitude training in. I go away to South Africa for a month to train and get away from any other distractions and just concentrate on running. I’m also sponsored by Virgin Atlantic and I get my kit from Nike.

What would you say is your biggest achievement?
Each year has been an achievement. The biggest thing for me so far though is being able to go to the championships. I was 8th in World juniors and 3rd in the European juniors.

How do you cope with disappointments?
I try to move on from them and try to take the positive from them. The negative races are what make you better. You have to turn a negative into a positive. You learn from bad tactics. They make you stronger.

­­What do you love about running?
I love that feeling after each race of having worked hard. Even in training you can’t beat the feeling of doing well at something. I also really enjoy just going out for a steady run. I find it therapeutic. Especially at this time of year when the weather is better.

How have injuries affected your career?
Touch wood, I haven’t had had any serious ones, I’ve been very lucky. There’s a lot of injury around at this age – particularly among girls – coming down with stress fractures.  I had a bit of a niggle in my hip earlier in the year which was annoying but that’s cleared up now. I haven’t missed any seasons from injury which is unusual at this age. I’ve been very lucky.

What are your hopes for the 2012 Olympics?
I’m thrilled that it’s in London – having the Olympics in your own country is fantastic. It’s a massive aim of mine to be there and one which is realistic at this stage. I’m going for the 10,000. At longer distances European athletes tend to be a bit older than I am but I have the right physiology for it.

Which other sports do you enjoy as spectator or participant?
I don’t do any others! There are lots of sports to watch here and everyone’s at the top of their game. There are lots of great triathletes. I do like to watch most sports. For the Beijing Olympics my mum and I brought down mattresses and duvets to the sitting room and camped there so we could watch everything!

How do you find being away from home at Loughborough?
It took a while to get used to, especially having to do my own washing, and cooking. I’ve almost finished my second year here and it’s flown by. I don’t get home much – my coach and training group are in Loughborough. I see my parents a lot at training and events.

What do you miss about Cheltenham?
I miss the centre of Cheltenham – the Promenade, the shops. Shopping isn’t as good in Loughborough! And I used to do a lot of running up on Leckhampton Hill – I miss that but I’m very happy with what I’m doing.

What plans do you have for the future?
I’m going to keep running and working hard to get to the top and then decide.

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