THE WINNING MENTALITY LIVING THE GOOD LIFE
QYou still rank second in the UK all-time list for 10-mile road. How does it feel to know your name is still up there?
APretty good to think that I would still be competitive today.
QIn your opinion, what are the necessary atributes for becoming a champion?
ATalent that’s willing to work, confidence and believing in what you do, knowing that it takes time and you can’t rush things, surrounding yourself with the correct people. Setting goals and once reached setting new goals, knowing that is OK if you don’t reach that goal but believing in time you will. Knowing it is OK to fail and using these setbacks as motivation Not having overly pushy parents and/or coaches.
QWhen running, your physical parameters are being pushed to their limits, but what about your
mental capabilities?
AWhen you are racing, I believe it is definitely so much more mental. More than three people on the starting line in the final of major championships have trained seriously hard and have a legit shot at a medal - often it comes down to mental toughness, who believes in themselves the most. I believe my Commonwealth Games and 1992 Olympics are prime examples. Both showed a lack of mental toughness as I didn’t run to my strength in the heat of the moment. I ran to someone else’s.
QWhen/where did you meet your husband, Australian-born runner Daniel Boltz?
AAcross a crowded room (laughs). In the food hall at the World Championships in Tokyo. He came up and introduced himself and I told my friend that one day I would marry him – despite the fact that he was living with my then American boyfriend.
QHow did you and Daniel make the decision to move to Australia?
ADaniel and I were living in the States for six years, moved to England for a year on our way to Australia but somehow stayed in England for seven years had two of our children before finally (2005) making it to Cairns. Daniel told me it was like South Beach Miami, so of course I was a bit surprised when I arrived here. But there is something about Cairns, it grabs you and grows on you, it’s beautiful, the people are real and genuine, the outdoor life is fantastic and the weather although hot is adaptable and makes living easier.
QYour kids love running as well and they’re pretty good at it too. I also hear one of your kids is a keen fisherman.
APoppy, now 18, made the QLD team for 800m then turned to AFL again playing for Queensland. Ollie, 14, loves running. He has made five QLD teams, this year finishing eighth in the Australian XC Championships. Milo, 11, loves fishing. He would be out there 24/7 if he could. If you can follow him on Instagram milo_fishing it would make his day.