Stacey feels just champion again after false start to comeback

AFTER an absence of five years, former English 800m champion Stacey Smith returned to action during the summer – but her return was quickly cut short.

The 27-year-old lined up in five track races, two over 1,500m and three over her favoured 800m, and quickly showed signs of the form which led to her English Championship victory.

However, despite posting a respectable 4min 11.72sec for the metric mile and 2:06.68 over two laps, an Achilles injury mid-season knocked her back once more.

Now, though, the Gateshead athlete is raring to go once more under the guidance of coach David Lowes, and showed last weekend that exceptional progress is being made.

Smith (right) faced more than 300 rivals when she lined up in the Town Moor Parkrun 5k and proceeded to leave everyone behind as she came home well clear of the field to post a first-class time of 16:47.

And that run could well be the confidence boost she needs after her injury setbacks over the years. Smith is now focused on what lies ahead, together with new coach Lowes – who also has European XC Relay gold medallist Cameron Boyek under his wing. And while she has no specific targets in mind, she just wants to get out and perform and enjoy herself. “I think I tried to hurry things along too quickly, upping my training instead of having a gradual build-up and that’s how I picked up an Achilles injury,’’ said Smith.

“I lost most of the summer after that which was very frustrating, although to be honest I never expected to be racing so quickly.

“However, it looks as though that’s behind me. We are working on building up a good, solid winter base ready for the track season.

“If everything goes to plan I may even test out my fitness in a few indoor races after Christmas, but that will only happen if we feel everything is right.’’