At some point in our career we all face setbacks. Unfortunately my setback hit at the beginning of prime competition.

Firstly, I had a knee injury which forced the decision not to compete at the State All-Schools in October. Following this I had a bad flu which caused troubles breathing during heavy training, and inturn I had to review my asthma medication, with a final decision to increase the dosage.

As a result my training had to be modified and I was not in top form, and certainly would not be at my peak ready to compete at the Australian All-Schools in Hobart. 

My coach and I talked it over and decided that I should redirect my training and focus on the main picture, being the National Championships in March as well as the NSW state titles in February.

I believe this was a wise, and the best decision, although it has been a mental challenge, to re-direct my focus, and to sit back and watch my fellow colleagues compete, but in the end I believe it has made me a stronger person.

I am now back to base training (speed endurance). I feel that I am back on track! I have been able to overcome the setbacks that have prevented me from competing at both All-School competitions.

I am now very much looking forward to getting back into general competition, which includes the upcoming Schools Knockout competition this month. 

Until my next journal update I will leave you with the following - Remember to never give up on the big goal and always stay focused on the path. 

Zoe Riikonen

Note: Zoe has been named as part of the shadow squad for the upcoming World Junior Championships which will take place in Canada in 2010. Congratulations!

Brought to you by Edward Ovadia who is in Berlin with official IAAF accreditation covering the championships for Runnerstribe.com

Runnerstribe: How did you feel out there?

Anna Willard: I felt great, super relaxed, and just tried to stay focused on the top six, and I wasn't in the greatest position with 200m to go, but made up for it in the last 100m, so it was good.

RT: Anything you would have done differently?

AW: No, just stay out of trouble, which is hard - I mean, that woman fell right in front of me, so my steeple skills came into play there, so I was fine.

RT: Looking to the next round, how are you hoping to go?

AW: Definitely just qualify, try to get one of the automatic qualifiers. Also just get a feel for how my competitors are running, when they look strong, when they're looking a little weak, and see how the final is going to play out.

RT: What were your thoughts on the other heats?

AW:I didn't see much of the first heat because I was doing my own warm up stuff, but I heard there was a fall in that one as well, I think it's just physical when you get a lot of women running much slower than what they're capable of.

RT: Who are you looking out for?

AW: Obviously Gelete Burka, Maryam Jamal, both are going to be big factors, Nancy Langat, like you never know what's going to happen, but she's the Olympic Champion. And also the other Americans, if Shannon makes it through, we're very strong, so you never know what's going to happen.

RT: Are you happy with the decision to run the 1500m?

AW: For sure, yeah. I'm happy!

RT: What were your thoughts on the steeple final last night?

AW: It was definitely deeper than last year. I'm really happy I'm in the 1500m, I'm more prepared for it. I think the steeple would have gone well, had I chosen to do that, but I'm definitely very happy with my decision.

RT: Thanks Anna, good luck for the next round!

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'Hills are speedword in diguise '
Frank Shorter