A busted shoe left Eilish McColgan feeling like she was sporting flip-flops when she raced in Stockholm last weekend but the Dundonian remains intent on putting her best foot forward.
With two outings so far in her steeplechase specialism failing to deliver the desired returns, the world championship finalist will go flat out over 3000 metres tomorrow in the EAP International in Bilbao as she attempts to put her preparations for the forthcoming defence of her UK title in back on track.
Restored to rude health following a virus in her blood, the 23-year-old plans to press on the accelerator in Spain. "I don't care if I come first or last as long as I'm under nine minutes," she said. "That's my main focus. A lot of people think it's athletes who aren't good enough on the flat that go into the steeplechase. I don't want to be like that."
With the world champion Milcah Chemos scheduled to defend her Commonwealth title this summer, the Kenyan will be first among a trio of her compatriots standing between McColgan and a medal at Hampden. To bridge the gap, a need for speed is paramount.
"A lot of the Kenyans don't have the best technique but they are incredibly fast over 3000 and 5000m, as good as anyone," said the Scot, speaking at an event for her sponsors, Lindsay's Solicitors. "I've run 8:47 for 3000m but if I can get that down to 8:40 over the next couple of years, I'll believe I'm capable of being world-class in the steeple."
The Basque excursion will be McColgan's final tune-up for the UK Championships in Birmingham next weekend. That is a necessity and likely a chore. Such races are tactical duels and as such lack the urgency which prevails on the Diamond League circuit.
"If I had my choice, I'd skip the trials because it is a slow race," added McColgan. "I'd rather concentrate on doing the steeple at the Commonwealths but I still need to qualify for the European Championships."
Meanwhile, David Rudisha - the 800m world record holder - believes his Hampden debut at next month's Diamond League can propel him to his first Commonwealth title. "My victory at the New York Diamond League has given me a lot of confidence and something which I will take with me to Hampden Park," said the 25-year-old.
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