Elliot Giles, 800m

I probably wake up around 9am or 10am and start with a really small breakfast – something quite light. Then I go without food until 2pm or 3pm, by which time I’m absolutely starving.

I’m very dismissive of everyone throughout the whole day and just zone out really. I might watch a movie – something light-hearted and not too intense to keep emotions low. I like just to mellow out because as soon as you get the bus to the track it’s crunch time.

I eat religiously three hours before a race because I’ve found that’s my sweet spot. I know I’m not going to get any belly aches or stitches. Any longer and I get hungry. You don’t want to have a bad performance just because of a meal you’ve eaten. Usually I’ll have something bland. I prefer to have oily fish or chicken – nothing spicy.

Once I’m at the track I get ready to warm up and pretty much keep myself to myself. I don’t like anybody speaking to me unless it’s my coach. He gets a free pass.