SUSAN PARTRIDGE has revealed her determination to compete at an Olympic Games before she hangs up her spikes with the 35-year-old expected to make her push for selection at October's Chicago Marathon.
The Oban-born veteran finished 10th at the world championships in Moscow two years ago but is to skip this summer's showpiece in Beijing in favour of targeting all her energies on Rio.
Partridge, a team relay winner in last weekend's Great Edinburgh Run, believes she is on the right path to pulling out a competitive bid.
"I really want an Olympics before I retire," the GB internationalist said. "I'm going to have a good stab at it and I know I've got the time to build up the miles and get ready with a good stint at altitude in Boulder beforehand. I hope I can qualify in the autumn. But, if I have to, I'll try again in the spring. Hopefully, I've got a couple of good years left in me."
It's been a slow easing back to full fitness for Partridge in recent weeks at her base in Leeds following the decision to take an extended hiatus following last summer's Commonwealth Games where she finished 10th.
The scientist, who researches prosthetics, claims the time-out was the best possible option to keep herself in competitive shape as she heads towards the final slice of her career.
"I enjoyed the break," she said. "I took up bridge. That sounds exciting doesn't it? But to do other things was nice. I've never been a runner who has to run. I like spells away. But after two months I was ready to go again. Not running doesn't feel quite right. I had to do it for my body's sake and I believe you should take breaks over your career. You come back unfit but so what? It won't last forever."
There may yet, she insists, be a few minor targets to accomplish once she is back at full speed. Claiming a Scottish track title in Aberdeen in August may be a viable goal. Other stopping points en route to Chicago will fuel the fires. "I've not run a lot on the track so hopefully I should be able to get a few personal bests," she added.
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