World Championship Review
10 September, 2009
Now the dust has settled from Rome I am able to make an
objective review of my performances at the meet and my progress
towards London 2012.
The week had a mixture of emotions for me. Firstly, shock/fear
after the heats of the 400m Freestyle on day 1 - as soon as I
finished I thought I might not place top 8 and therefore miss the
final. Secondly, elation after winning a bronze medal in the final
that night and swimming a best time of over 2 seconds faster than
my performance to win in Beijing. Thirdly, fulfilment in winning a
bronze medal in the 4x200 Freestyle relay, after the disappointment
of not qualifying for the final of the event in Beijing we were
able to banish our demons. My final emotion was being distraught
after placing 4th in the 800m Freestyle, the event which
I am world record holder in. Following my successes earlier in the
week and some of my performances earlier in the year I expected to
at least medal in the 800m. To come away 4th, the worst
position possible just outside of the medals, was very hard to
take, especially given the additional exposure I have had in the
past year and during the Championships themselves.
Since coming home, I have been able to discuss my performances
with my Coach and reflect both on the lead up to the Championships
and the event itself. The results from Rome prove that I have more
speed than I did a year ago but less stamina, my 400m has improved
whilst my 800m has slightly declined. This is due to a shift
in focus in my training to more speed work as opposed to the
endurance work I was focusing on prior to Beijing. Due to other
commitments, particularly in the 4 months immediately after
Beijing, I struggled to train at the level I needed to.
I wouldn't change a thing and feel incredibly grateful for the
position I have found myself in following my success in Beijing
but, in order to continue with my training at the level I need to
be at to compete internationally, I have had to make some difficult
decisions. I will now be more selective about the events I
attend - something that will be really hard for me as there are so
many worthwhile causes and events I would love to support and go
to. Unfortunately whilst I'm still in full training there just
aren't enough hours in the week to do all the training, get the
rest I require and attend the majority of these. Therefore,
with the help of my team I will meet all of my commitments to the
charity I support and my sponsors but you will probably see a bit
less of me in the media.
Ever since I returned from Beijing I have talked about the fact
that it was a 4 year plan to London in 2012, now 3 years, and that
given I was only 19 at the time I would have lots to learn over the
coming years. Given the whirlwind that the past 12 months has been,
I have probably never fully sat back and reflected on how my life
has changed and how I will need to adapt. Since the final of the
800m in Rome I have had the chance to do this and now feel more at
ease with the expectation upon me, massively grateful for all the
support I have received and even more determined as I prepare for
the Commonwealth Games next year and beyond to London 2012. I
am 100% committed to my swimming and will continue to give it my
all.