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I started in hockey when I was six-years-old, and was on the Australian junior squad in 1995 and 1996. In 1996, I was announced as part of the Australian squad for the 2000 Olympics. Everyone thought I would do that. I probably thought I would do that. But I did athletics as well throughout high school—just during the season, so I did athletics three months out of the year. And I won the national 1500m title four years in a row. So when I was in year 12 of high school, I was offered an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship for running, and I thought, “I’ll see how good I can get.” I knew I had some talent, because I hadn’t been doing the training those other girls were doing, and I still won the national title every year.
It was amazing to win the world cross country championships in 2004. There was such a strong field but I got everything right on the day. I sensed the Ethiopians were hurting on this hilly stage and so decided to make my move on this section, as I was feeling very strong. Until then I was just running relaxed in the pack trying to use as little energy as possible, just getting the kms done. I got away from the others relatively easily, had a few meters on them at the top of that hill. I was hurting with 1500m to go but knew I had it won with about 1 km to go. I still ran strongly right through to the line.
I just enjoy the different terrains and different distances. I especially love cross country, because every race is always different. When we’re in London, I train twice a day every day as part of a group that includes Craig Motram. We only live about 200 meters apart in London, and actually in Melbourne, too. There’s a track at St. Mary’s College and we do hills in Richmond Park, and there’s the path along the River Thames.
I’ve been quite lucky with injuries though injury affected any real chance of success for me at the Athens Olympics in 2004, which was disappointing after I had done so well at the world cross country championships that year. I got very stressed in the months leading up to the Olympics and realised that In future I would have to handle being injured better than I did. Unfortunately, my emotions got the better of me then – but it was a learning experience.
It’s a 24-hour-a-day job, and you have to be right on top of your game in every race. Being fit and healthy is obviously very important for an athlete but it’s nice at the big races to be able to be a role model for people who aspire to have a healthy lifestyle. I like to go to schools to talk to kids. I want to use my talents for racing, of course, but also to promote a healthy lifestyle.
I like track running, cross country and also the big road races. Big championships in big stadiums are incredibly exciting but then, road running has its own special attractions for me. It’s that aspect of being there with so many other people who enjoy the sport I love that is really special about road running. There’s such a great atmosphere. I love running in places like New York City. I travel constantly, and New York is one of my favourite places in the world.
