Step in the right direction for Pavey
Oct 6 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
JO Pavey has indicated she still plans to move up to the marathon distance next year despite failing win the Great North Run, pushed into third place during a wonderful finish to the women’s race.
Pavey wiped almost two minutes off her half-marathon personal best, and admitted she had used the event as an experience-gaining exercise as she prepares to move away from track competition to concentrate on road running.
The 35-year-old has had her problems adjusting to the different demands of road running in the past and almost did not finish this same race two years ago, when she completely misjudged a steep descent on the way to the finish at South Shields and suffered severe fatigue.
But she held her own against two top class opponents yesterday in winner Gete Wami and Magdalene Mukunzi and, had she had more practice in this sort of event, may well have claimed victory.
“It’s a positive step in the right direction,” said Pavey, who will be an interested spectator when her great domestic rival Paula Radcliffe returns to competitive action in the New York marathon.
“My initial feeling was one of frustration at not winning the race, but it’s pleasing to get a personal best and I needed that experience of a road race. I’m still trying to learn as it is very different to track running, but I’m pretty happy.
“The frustrating thing was I felt strong coming into the last mile and thought I could win, which would have been fantastic. The crowd were wonderful and I would have loved to have won it for them, but I just couldn’t do it at the end.
“We virtually finished together and to have run all that way and just miss out at the end is very frustrating.”
Pavey, though, feels she can get better the more experience she gets and hopes that, in four years time, she will be a in a position to challenge for a medal at the London Olympics.
She added: “I’m trying to get used to the surges people put it, whether to close the gap immediately or close it gradually.
“I’m also not sure how I’m supposed to be feeling at different stages of the race as this is so much longer than I’m used to.
“It’s all about practice, but I’ve taken a lot of encouragement from the fact I felt strong at the end and was competitive with a proven athlete at this distance like Wami. She is someone I’ve respected for a very long time, so to push her so close is a good sign for the future.
“I’ve learnt a lot from this and will continue to do so. The good thing is I know I can compete over this distance and while the marathon is longer I think the strength and endurance are there. It is a challenge that really excites me.”
Wami admitted she had been pushed hard by Pavey, but also insisted a slight hamstring problem had hampered her during the middle of the race.
She said: “It was a tough race and I was struggling with my hamstring and back. I was worried then, but I knew if I could stay in touch I’d be strong in the sprint.
“I decided to just sit on Pavey’s shoulder as we closed the gap on the leader and that was the right tactic.”
