Eilish Mccolgan
Athletics Weekly|September 19, 2019
WITH THE 5000m AND 10,000m ON THE DOHA HORIZON FOR EILISH McCOLGAN, JOHN SHEPHERD ASKS THE DOUBLE OLYMPIAN ABOUT HER PREPARATION AND TRAINING
Eilish Mccolgan

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?

This story is from the September 19, 2019 edition of Athletics Weekly.

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This story is from the September 19, 2019 edition of Athletics Weekly.

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