Partner in prime

Boyfriend Ryan has Zoey on track for glory as her coach

WHEN Zoey Clark wants a word from her coach, she normally doesn’t even have to walk out her front door.

The cutting analysis and tough love come at the training track – and around the breakfast table.

For once the Aberdonian decided to shake up her set-up after last summer’s Olympics and part ways with Eddie McKenna, his replacement was staring her in the face all the time.

Her long-time boyfriend Ryan Oswald was a decent sprinter in his time.

Now their domestic life is meshed with preparing the world and European medallist to hit her stride.

Clark, who is set for her main World Championships medal shot in tonight’s opening round of the 4x400metres relay after exiting the mixed version at the first hurdle last weekend, said: “It’s been going really well.

“Early on, there was definitely some teething problems just because it’s difficult to change the dynamic from boyfriend and girlfriend to coach-athlete, especially when there’s other people in the group.

“Sometimes I have to think about how I would speak to him, what’s appropriate and what’s not appropriate. But we should make a good team. We’ve been together for nine years so should know how to work well together.

“And I think the success I’ve had this season shows that we do, but it is still my first year with a new coach.”

The 27-year-old was mightily disappointed with her sixth place at the British trials last month – relegating her to relay duty when she had hoped for an individual outing in Eugene after lowering her personal best to 51.22 secs in Geneva in June.

Team events have been rich hunting ground though. Along with two global medals, there have been three at the Europeans.

Like fellow Scots Eilidh Doyle and Lee McConnell, the 4x400 has provided opportunities for Clark to benefit from the UK’s strength in depth.

She said: “I’m actually one of the most experienced on the team now, which is kind of fun.

“I think I have shown that I am a reliable relay runner.

“There is a really strong team right now and it’s great to see.

“There’s seven of us all kind of at 51 seconds, so we have a lot of strength in depth right now.

“So every opportunity that I get, I’m going to run my best.

“And hopefully that will mean that I’m in consideration for finals.”