Sleep
I’m always in bed by 10.30pm, and my phone is off by 11pm. Sleep and training are my highest priorities and I need a minimum of eight hours’ sleep. You can train yourself to be better at it; I won’t lie on my bed unless I’m going to sleep. If I’m travelling to a different time zone, I’ll start adjusting before I leave. I’ll get up at 4am, even if I’m a zombie.
Eat
Food is functional for me, rather than a pleasure. When I’m training, for this April’s Commonwealth Games, say, food is fuel: high protein, low carbs. Breakfast is three scrambled eggs, spinach, a yoghurt and black coffee. Lunch is protein – fish or chicken. Dinner is what my mum cooks. I don’t do cheat days and I don’t drink. But I like a nice meal out. I’ve cut out all unnecessary sugar, but sometimes eat Haribo Tangfastics before a race.
Work
I have a Google calendar with every single thing I do on it. My coach and my mum are hooked up to it, too. I race between February and August, so I try to get all other obligations, like visiting schools, done outside that. I train six days a week, usually gym in the mornings and track from 6.30-8.30pm. Last February, I broke my foot when I was also studying for my history finals at King’s College London. I didn’t see my friends or do anything fun. But studying history, with its wars and coups, makes me feel fortunate that the most stressful thing in my life is how fast I can run in a straight line.
Family
I’m currently moving out of my family home to live by myself. My friends moved out of home for uni, so they understand bills. I don’t, so I need to grow up. It’s a New Year resolution to make more time for family and friends. I can be out of the country for two months at a time, so I have to work at relationships.
Fun
My dad calls me “roomie” because when I’ve had a full day, I need to recharge in my bedroom. I’m an introvert; I can happily be alone for days. Relaxing is reading, sleeping, swimming. I get a month off every year: last year I travelled all over, which my physio wasn’t too happy about. I do no exercise in that month. I won’t even run for a bus
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