After rounding off her year with her third successive U20 women's gold at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa, regular contributor Innes FitzGerald tells us how she coped with the expectation, playing Hungry Hippos with Nadia Battocletti and her Christmas and New Year plans.
Coping with pressure
"Winning my third successive women’s U20 title at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa on 14 December is something I’m incredibly proud of — but it definitely came with pressure.
"The race itself went very smoothly, and that was a huge relief. There was quite a lot of expectation going into it. People were saying, “You’ve got this, it’ll be easy,” but you still have to go out there and actually do it.
"Knowing there were a lot of eyes on me added pressure, so to come away with another win felt really satisfying. That was the main aim of my winter, so having that done feels really nice.
"That pressure comes from expectation because of previous achievements. It’s amazing that people believe I can win, but it does make things more stressful. I think I’m learning how to deal with it better with every race.
"I’ve started developing little strategies to cope with that pressure, and I feel like I’m improving at managing it. Ultimately, it’s a good thing that people think highly of my abilities, and I’m trying to use that to give me confidence rather than letting it overwhelm me.
Sticking with the age group
"Before the championships, my coach Gavin Pavey and I did talk about whether I should step up to the U23 or senior race. In the end, we decided sticking with the U20s was the right thing to do.
"I really enjoy racing when it feels fun rather than really stressful. In winter, cross country is more about preparing for the summer, improving fitness and keeping the legs ticking over, rather than putting myself under huge pressure.
"On the track in summer, everything is very focussed on senior championships and high pressure, whereas winter racing gives you a bit more freedom. For now, sticking to my age group felt like the best option.
"We’ll definitely have those conversations again next year as I move into the U23 category, but this time it felt like the right decision.
"One of the things I love most about cross country is the team element. You don’t really get that much in UK competitions. It’s so nice to see the other girls doing well and it was great to win the team gold too.
"Everyone was supporting each other and being genuinely happy for one another. It creates a really friendly atmosphere and makes the whole experience even more special.
"Portugal itself was lovely. It wasn’t very forested, which I think is because it’s so dry. When we were driving back to the airport, it felt quite bare, with shrubs rather than big trees, but it’s just a completely different climate.
"It’s a really nice place, and Gavin has already mentioned the idea of coming back for some warm-weather training at some point, which would be great.
Press conference and playing games with Battocletti
"Before the event, I did the press conference and I’m getting more used to doing press conferences now. You start to anticipate what questions might come up, like being asked about the course, so you think ahead about what to say.
"I really like that the audience can ask questions as well. That interaction is good for the sport and helps get conversations going before the championships even begin.
"It was also my first time meeting Nadia Battocletti, who I was sitting alongside at the press conference. We ended up playing Hungry Hippos — and I lost — but it was great fun and nice to meet her.
"Looking ahead, I’ll have a couple of easier weeks and then start building things up again through January, I am aiming for a few indoor races towards the end of January and into February.
"We’ve decided not to do the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee. The travel and the fact I’d have to compete as a senior meant it didn’t feel like the right option, and I’d much rather focus on the indoor season.
"That means no more cross country this season, which feels a bit strange when people I train with are still racing at events like English Schools. But I actually like having cross country finished before Christmas, then doing some indoors - I'll probably race around late January/early February and properly gear up for the summer.
"My medals live in shoeboxes in my room — well, a few shoeboxes. There isn’t really anything else around that shows I’m a runner. Maybe one day I’ll display them properly, but I’m not quite there yet.
Vegan Christmas lunch and a Parkrun
"On Christmas Day, I’ll probably do the local Parkrun in Seaton in Devon just for fun. It’s always really busy and everyone dresses up. I might even try to convince my dad to come along as well.
"Christmas itself is very family-focused. We usually go to my grandparents’ in the afternoon, although nothing is ever decided until the day before in my family.
"Our vegan Christmas dinner is usually a mushroom Wellington and a nut roast, with all the usual sides like potatoes, carrots, parsnips and gravy. My grandparents are very traditional, so it’s been nice seeing them come around to the idea that Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be turkey.
"New Year is more about spending time with friends. We’ll probably do something together — nothing planned yet — but it’s usually a fun way to celebrate.
"I’ll be back home for a few weeks before heading back up to University of Exeter in mid-January, with a few exams waiting for me too. For now, I’m enjoying the feeling of another European cross-country title and looking ahead to what’s coming next."