I felt isolated up here, admits Barr

Aug 31 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

VICKI Barr insists she has “no regrets” about leaving her North East roots behind to chase her dream of a medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

The 27-year-old former Gateshead Harrier returns to the region this afternoon for the British Grand Prix eyeing a personal best in the 400m to end her season with a flourish.

But it has been a year of change for Barr, who switched coaches and relocated to Lee Valley near the Olympics site after feeling “isolated” in the North East.

And despite a frustrating start to her season, which saw her miss out on an individual spot in the Berlin World Championships after pulling out of the UK trials through illness, she made up for it by anchoring the 4x400m relay to a creditable fourth in Germany.

Although she feels vindicated in her decision, Barr is glad to be back on home soil for the traditional end of season meeting – which will see newly-crowned world champions Jessica Ennis and Phillips Idowu make triumphant returns.

“The athletes in the North East do get good support from the area but we can be forgotten about,” she admitted. “It wasn’t because of Gateshead or a lack of facilities that I left, I just felt a bit isolated. My old coach Jarrod (Deacon) got me to where I needed to be but you also need to sit down and work out ways that you’re going to move on.

“For me, moving to London was what I needed to do. In Newcastle I was one of the main athletes but going to London and being a smaller fish in a big pond is good for me. I had to make the decision. Changing your coach is one thing but where you live is a huge decision – and I think I’ve adapted now. It’s more competitive, I can stay where I need to be and my aims are a lot higher.

“I’m delighted to be back in the North East for the Grand Prix. I think it’s a strong field but I should have some home support. I want to get that personal best now, it’s long, long overdue. Running that 4x400m relay has given me huge motivation and I’d love to get my PB at home, that would be great.” Barr changed coaches at the start of the season and believes her work with Ayo Afala gives her the best chance of being in the running for a place at London in two years time.

“I’m 27 – hopefully I’ve got a few more years left in it yet. I think 2012 is when I will be hitting my peak,” she said.

“This is only my third year doing the 400metres. I think that I haven’t yet run the kind of times I want to but I made the relay team for Berlin, which was something I hadn’t done before. 2012 is a huge motivation for me – that is what I am focusing on.” With Great Britain having outperformed expectations in Germany there should be a feel-good factor about proceedings this afternoon.

The new ‘get tough’ regime of Charles van Commenee has been credited with helping the squad win six medals, and Barr is clearly a fan. “I enjoy the new regime. In the past I haven’t really known where I have stood,” she said.

“I have been ranked in the top four for the 400m but I haven’t been able to run in major championships relays because heptathletes have been brought in ahead of me, 800m runners have come in.

“But this time I was aware of what I had to do – I was more focused. Charles is very, very strict but he’s understanding as well. He is supportive, he will come up to you and he will chat to you which hasn’t always happened in the past. So I enjoy it. But that’s me – there’s no grey areas, it’s black and white for me. Probably a lot of people wouldn’t agree with that. But a lot of people don’t like change and maybe they need to adapt.”