Moscow — it’s a chance for redemption. This time last year, I suffered an injury in my last outing before the Olympics and it was a race to get fit for the Games.
I didn’t have the best preparations going into the 100metre hurdles but I don’t want to dwell on last year. It was disappointing in general but I’ve used that as a positive for this season.
All my preparation has been concentrated on getting it right in Moscow. I’ve not put together an entire hurdles race as I’d have liked this season — it’s a real challenge, technically — but I’m looking forward to doing just that.
We flew to Moscow yesterday from the holding camp and now it’s all about resting up and fine tuning for the big competition.
I like to think of myself as a championship performer. Some athletes feel pressure at the big events, I find I just feed off it and get extra motivation. It’s hard to explain exactly but it’s like I get super excited and super focused for major championships. I’m mentally prepared and going out there with one goal . . . to win.
My last competition was at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games. I had a really good start but then I made a couple of mistakes that cost me, though I was happy to come away with second and a time of 12.76 seconds from a poor race. Mostly, I was pleased just to be healthy and ready for Moscow.
Hurdles is such a rhythm event that any type of lapse in focus can completely throw you. Even if your arm position is slightly out, it can really affect your rhythm.
I had a dead spot between hurdles two and three — not a problem I usually suffer from — and I will be sure not to let it happen in Moscow.
Now we’re here, a lot of my time now is about sleeping and getting ready for my event, which isn’t until day seven of the championships.
Some people don’t like that but it suits me fine, getting into the rhythm of the place, feeding off the energy of other athletes competing. I feel like I’ll be ready.
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