Scotland’s Jemma Reekie has vowed to come back stronger after “a really tricky season”, which included a lingering concussion and a disappointing home Commonwealth Games.
The 28-year-old set a new European road mile record on Sunday and is aiming for a third success at the Fifth Avenue Mile in New York next weekend.
However, Reekie has no plans to move away from the track and remains confident that she can compete with the best, despite a challenging summer.
The Commonwealth Games did not go to plan, ending up 10th in the mile after failing to reach the 800m final in Glasgow.
There was an improvement at the European Championships last month, finishing fifth in the 800m, albeit a long way behind a stacked one-two-three of Audrey Werro, Keely Hodgkinson and Femke Broeders-Bol in Birmingham.
“It was a really tricky season,” she told BBC Scotland. “I came into it with no disruptions and in a really good place.
“Unfortunately, I had a fall (while racing in Poland in May) that put me back a bit. I had a concussion that lasted probably about two months. We had to respect my body and take it day by day.
“I was disappointed with the Commonwealths and it made it a little bit harder being at home as well.
“But I learned so much about myself and I have so much to take forward. I see everything happens for a reason, and there’s a reason why the summer went the way it did. Hopefully I keep growing as an athlete.”
Next year brings the World Championships in Beijing, with Reekie saying her 800m discipline is “on fire” with so many top class competitors.
“I really do believe I can get back in amongst that,” she added.
“I’d love to step onto the track indoors and prove to myself and prove to everyone that I’m back and I’m actually stronger and better and everything’s just come together.
“I feel really strong already. I’m definitely in the best shape I’ve ever been in.
“Unfortunately, it just didn’t come out this summer, but all those sessions, all those runs are not wasted. It’s just waiting for the right time to come out.
“People forget how much this sport is a mental sport as well, so I’m just happy that things are going in the right direction.”
