Mark Maughan talks to British athlete Tom Lancashireabout his hopes for the 2011 season and the 2012 Olympics
“However I was disappointed with my performances in both of those finals, finishing 10th and eighth respectively and not really doing myself justice.”
How do you feel reflecting back upon the Great Edinburgh XC, were you happy with your performance as a start to 2011?
[Tom finished 5th overall and 2nd British runner]
“Yes, the race was a good marker for me regarding my current fitness.
“It is always good to compete against the best in the world and to race alongside three Olympic or World champions was great. To finish within touching distance of them was a real confidence boost.
“I would have liked to have been the first British runner across the line but I knew Steve Vernon would be tough to beat.”
Being regarded so highly in Great Britain and Northern Ireland cross-country, does that add further pressure or do you enjoy the recognition. Also has your mentality changed in terms of competing?
“It adds pressure but it is more of a help than a hindrance to me.
“Having people expect great things of you makes you push yourself harder to produce great things, and I find if I go into a race truly expecting to do well, more often than not I do. It is about self-confidence I suppose.”
What do you tend to do in the off-season, how do you relax and prepare yourself for the new season?
“In the off-season I usually try to get away somewhere. Although I travel a lot during the season for the various races, it's not the same as going on holiday somewhere and when I come back I usually feel refreshed and raring to go.
“Other than that I try to spend as much time as possible with friends who might feel a bit neglected from the months of hard training beforehand!”
Where are you currently based for training?
“I live and train in Manchester, either at Wythenshawe Park in Sale or at SportCity.”
Which other events have you planned to race in this year?
“I ran a complete cross country season, racing the Northern Championships (which I won), the English National XC (3rd) and then the Inter-Counties.
“I avoided indoor competition as I feel cross country is a better way of preparing for the track season.”
How confident are you going into 2011, what are your aspirations for this year?
“I feel very confident, there are a number of things I have worked on this winter, which I hope will give me an new dimension to my racing this summer.
“My aim for the year is to make the World Championships final and then place as high as possible there!”
What technical aspects of training have you focused upon more in training this year?
“I have worked on a few postural issues, which should help improve my technique when sprinting at the end of a race. This involves drills as well as strength work in the gym and specific stretching exercises.”
You recently said that you were focusing upon building a better endurance base, how is that training progressing?
“Training has gone really well and I have had my best ever winter.
“The goal now is to carry that improved endurance base into the summer season.
“I am now in a critical stage between phases, transitioning between a pure endurance phase to a more speed based track phase.”
Have you started thinking/preparing for London 2012?
“Yes of course, I think about it most days, especially on training runs!
“Everything I do now has to be geared towards London, which is why this year is so important, as it is the last chance to "practice" everything before 2012.”
If so, how excited are you for London 2012 and do you think it will be a defining moment in your career?
“I hope so. I have made steady progress in the right direction over the past few years, but I really need to make big steps over the next 18months if I want to challenge for the medals in London.
“But I have every confidence that I can do that. And that makes it very exciting.”
With the 2012 Olympics on British soil, how will you deal with the pressure from the home crowd/media?
“I think the same way I deal with it at any other time, which is to not let it affect me and try to use it wherever possible.
“Pressure is something that you have to deal with throughout your career, and I am getting better at dealing with it all the time. All I can do now is make sure I am as prepared for it as I can be.”
Do you believe that the West Ham proposal was the best choice for the Olympic Stadium?
“I don't know too much detail about the proposals, but obviously keeping the athletics track was a major factor. I think either way, the UK was in need of a new flagship stadium, and what better place than the Olympic Stadium.“
