‘I won a gold medal when I was 40’
British athlete Jo Pavey, 45, won her first gold at 40. She lives in Devon with her husband Gavin, 47, and their two children, Jacob, nine, and Emily, five.
She says, “Winning gold for the 10,000 metres at the 2014 Zurich World Championships felt absolutely brilliant. I know my knowledge and experience, and all the setbacks I’d had throughout my twenties and thirties, contributed to finally achieving my dream.
“I competed on a national level in my teens, but an injury meant I took a different path and went to university to study physiotherapy. It wasn’t until I was 23 that I decided to give running a go properly, and I was shocked when I qualified for the Women’s 1,500 at the Athens World Championships in 1997, where I reached the semi-finals.
“Shortly afterwards, I got a knee injury and spent nearly three years recovering after a botched operation. But I was determined – and with my husband Gavin’s encouragement, I made it back to the track. Finally, in 2006, I won a silver medal at the Melbourne Commonwealth games and it felt incredible.
“But in 2009, when my son Jacob was born, I had no idea whether I would be good enough to return to athletics – and be the mother I wanted to be. Juggling family life and training was challenging, but I worked harder than ever and, somehow, having a baby to focus on meant I put less pressure on myself.
“In 2012, I qualified for the European championships in Helsinki and the 2012 London Olympics. At the Championships, I took home a silver and it was the most incredible feeling. I was 38, a mother and still able to work towards a goal. At the Olympics in London I placed seventh, but was the highest European runner and I was proud. But shortly afterwards, I suffered another injury.
“In September 2013, I gave birth to Emily and was still breastfeeding when I started training again. But I qualified for the European Championships once more; it felt brilliant.
“I had no idea whether this would be the last chance I had to compete. So when I won the gold, it felt like everything I’d been working for over the last 2o years had come together. All the injuries, losses and
experiences had built up to this moment. I’d learned to balance both my family life and my professional life and had a healthier outlook.
“When you’re older, you’re able to use perspective and experience to work in your favour. Now, as I look towards trying to qualify for the 2020 Olympics, I won’t let my age stand in my way. You’re never too old to achieve your dreams.”