Eilish Mccolgan

WITH THE 5000m AND 10,000m ON THE DOHA HORIZON FOR EILISH McCOLGAN, JOHN SHEPHERD ASKS THE DOUBLE OLYMPIAN ABOUT HER PREPARATION AND TRAINING

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AW: Tell us a little bit about your background. What you do off track and where you are based?

EM: I’m from a small golf town called Carnoustie in Scotland, but currently live in Manchester with my boyfriend, Michael Rimmer – although I spend a lot of my year away on training camps at altitude. I studied maths and accountancy at Dundee University before taking my athletics career full time. I also run an online coaching business with Michael – helping runners of all ages and abilities, across the world: see runningmadeeasy.co.uk

AW: How did you get started in athletics?

EM: It was my PE teacher who first entered me into the county cross-country champs. I absolutely loved it and although I didn’t win a medal I realised it was something I would love to do, so I begged my parents to let me join the local club, Dundee Hawkhill Harriers. I did everything at the club and actually started off in the high jump and javelin; my first Scottish youth medal was in the javelin! It wasn’t until I was around 15 that I decided to really start focusing on the longer events which were only 800m and 1500m at the time. I didn’t do my first 5000m until I was about 20.

AW: Have you any advice for young athletes and particularly females taking up athletics in terms of training and progression?