Raise Your Game: Is training key in the run up to an event such as this?
Emily Freeman: I've got to get all my good training in so that I make it happen automatically on the day. Training's been going well so I'm happy with the progression I'm making.
Profile
Name:
Emily Freeman
Born:
24 November 1980
From:
Huddersfield
Events:
200m, 4x100m
Achievements:
- Gold - 100m, Silver - 4x100m, European Team Championships, Leiria (2009)
- Made her Olympic debut at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
- First - 200m, Olympic Trials (2008)
- Silver - 200m, Norwich Union World Championship Trials (2007)
RYG: Is discipline important to your training?
EF: It's very important. I've had to make sacrifices, make sure that I eat well, sleep well, train hard and hopefully put all those things together in my performance.
RYG: How important is time management?
EF: I treat my athletics as a job, Although it's not nine to five, it's 24/7. I try to be disciplined, keep to a routine and make sure that I am organised.
RYG: How important is it to have your education to fall back on as injuries can often end careers?
EF: I went through university and got all of my qualifications first before focusing on my athletics, so I've got a degree to fall back on if my athletic career doesn't go as well as I hope.
Athletics can be fickle. One minute you can be on top and the next minute you're not. My job and my education have kept me going when I have been recovering from injury. You need to make sure that you have other things going on in your life. Athletics isn't the be all and end all.
RYG: You are a strong role model for young female athletes. What would be your advice for young women looking up to you?
EF: There are so many different sports for girls and a range of events that most girls probably haven't tried. Everybody has their strengths in different things. Taller girls might be good in throwing for example and some of the shorter girls in the sprints, like myself. I don't even look like a sprinter, but it just goes to show that all shapes and sizes can enjoy sport and be good at it, so get out there and have a go!
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