Eilish McColgan aims for more success after record-breaking year

Eilish McColgan says she’s in the form of her life as she sets her sights on medalling at the Commonwealth Games.

The Carnoustie athlete believes she’s found her event after setting a new British and European 10K record.

McColgan beat Paula Radcliffe’s 19-year British and European 10k time after running 30 minutes and 19 seconds at Sunday’s Great Manchester Run.

“I’m really, really happy,” McColgan told STV. “After coming so close a couple of weeks ago at the London 10k I was obviously gutted to cross the line and see the numbers tick by. So to be on the right side of the record this time around felt really good.”

The Dundee Hawkhill Harrier has already set new targets as she looks ahead to a busy summer on the track which includes the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

“I think for all athletes the World Championships will be the priority,” she said. “I know it’s not the Olympic Games but in athletics it’s the next best.

“It’s still something that everyone wants to run well at and wants to peak at.

“For me the 10k at the World Champs would be the priority and I would love to try and run a personal best and get as close to 30 minutes as I possibly can on the track.

“Paula’s British record is 30.01 so if I could be there or thereabouts that would be big for me.

“Another big aim is Commonwealth Games and for a lot of Scottish athlete’s it’s just different. To compete for Scotland doesn’t happen very often and it’s unique.

“It’s something you always want to do well at. I’ve gone to three Commonwealths and I’ve come sixth at all of them, over 1500m, steeplechase and 5k.

“This’ll be my first 10k and I feel I have found my event. I feel confident and I would love to get as close as a I can to a medal. it would be a dream goal for me this summer.”

Eilish’s mum and coach, Liz won World and Commonwealth gold and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to help with reaching the top.

The two have different training needs though, and Eilish has now found a reduced intensity training programme works for her, leaving her feeling stronger than ever before.

“There’s been so much trial and error throughout the yeas in regards to what works and what doesn’t,” she said. “Sadly, I would say more often than not I found out what doesn’t work for me.

“I feel like I’ve just found now what works for me as an individual.

“My mum was a very high-mile athlete, running 130 or 140 miles a week from a young age. That just does not work for me. I get injured or can’t sustain it.

“So we’ve taken a step back. This training is unique. Not everyone can run a lower mileage and cross-train but get the same benefit.

“It’s been that and having the confidence to train a little bit differently.”