Four years ago, a teenage Zoey Clark was a major championship rookie and almost completely unknown outwith athletics circles.
In the space of just a few years though, the 23-year-old from Aberdeen has become a World Championship medallist both indoors and out and a regular in the GB team.
It is quite a transformation for the 400m specialist, who believes the experience gained over the last year or two will stand her in good stead for her second Commonwealth Games.
“In Glasgow, it was more about the experience for me and I felt a little bit like I was there to make up the numbers,” she said. “Whereas this time around, I feel like there’s a job to be done and that’s what I’m concentrating on.
“There is more pressure this time, both from myself and from external forces. But my way of dealing with that is to try to forget about that, to try not to put any pressure on myself and once I get into the racing environment, forget about what everyone else is saying and focus purely on the racing.
“It is easier said than done to switch off from the pressure though – I’m better at it that I used to be but I’m still learning.”
There is little doubt that Clark is in the shape of her life. Her last competitive outing was the World Indoor Championships last month where she finished sixth in the 400m final as well as picking up a bronze medal as part of the British 4x400m relay team.
The 400m at the Commonwealth Games will be strong but Clark is focusing solely on her own performance.
“The Worlds was a big confidence boost,” she said. “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been and so I feel like I can go there and be competitive. I just have to go, enjoy the experience and hopefully I’ll put a good performance in.
"It is exciting and I am excited but you can’t forget about the bigger picture. If you do let your emotions take over, it can be a hindrance so I think the secret is to keep a level head and treat it just like any other 400m.”
And with the Scottish 4x400m relay squad in with a realistic chance of grabbing a spot on the podium, Clark is champing at the bit to get going.
“The relay is very exciting. We do have a strong squad but we don’t have much room for things to go wrong because there’s only five of us.
“But if things go well, I feel like we can be fighting for a medal and going for the Scottish record. There’s lots of ifs and buts but hopefully it all works out.”
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