the ultimate goal is to run well in Europe in prepare in the best way possible so that I can peak at the next major championship on the international calendar.
You’ ve only had the opportunity to race Jana Pittman- Rawlinson, and more recently, Tamsyn Lewis, on a handful of occasions over the past few years. Does the level of domestic competition in your event make it difficult to find motivation during the domestic season? How do you combat that?
Not at all! I am a very intrinsically-driven athlete and I love racing no matter what the situation. I treat all competitions that same, regardless of who else is on the startline. I do most of my hurdles sessions by myself so when that situation comes up in a race I am familiar with it. Similarly, I know that
Lauren clears the final hurdle on the way to her fifth national title
when I have great athletes around me, like Jana and Tamsyn, that we can push each other and I can get the best out of my race. I figure, if you can run fast times in any conditions, in a race with not many athletes, when you get into a full race with great competition, you know you’ re going to run fast! I just try to look at each race in a positive way and get everything I can out of myself each time I step out on the track!
What are your goals for the Commonwealth Games? And the coming years?
My goals for the 2010
Delhi Commonwealth Games are to make the final, win a medal, and to break 55-sec in the final. If I do this then I will have an A-qualifier for 2011 World Champs, which will mean I can train hard through the Australian domestic season, come out and win Nationals and then go to Europe with a strong base to really make an impact at World Champs. In Daegu my goal is to make the final, and then for 2012 London Olympics I am aiming to make the final there and then who knows, once you’ re in the final anything can happen!