Laura is focused fully on running

DUNDEE Hawkhill Harrier Laura Muir has spent the last seven years hitting the books – now she hopes to write a new chapter packed with success as she prepares to put her full focus into her athletics career.

The Milnathort girl admits a weight has been lifted from her shoulders after finally completing her University of Glasgow veterinary degree.

The 25-year-old confessed mixing her studies with training for elite level competition has left her feeling drained at times.

However, now she is free to concentrate on making the grade on the track rather than in the exam hall, the European indoor 1,500m and 3,000m champion believes she can finally take the next step and claim a world title.

Laura, speaking as she was announced as an ambassador for next year’s European indoor Championships in Glasgow, said: “It’s been a seven-year process so I’m just really excited to have finished my exams and have that weight off my shoulders.

“Now I can focus this summer on athletics.

“I’d still look to do something with the veterinary side of things. Athletics takes up a lot of time but I think it would be nice to keep my hand in some way over the next few years having studied for so long.

“I’ll need to look at my options and see what I can fit in.

“However, my main focus over these next few years will be the athletics. I can only run for so long and I can always come back to the veterinary part of my life.

“It has been really tough juggling athletics with my studies. I’ve been so busy that my recovery has been compromised quite a lot of the time. I’m always dashing from one place to another.

“However, I always think I’m so lucky to have been able to do both.”