Rio 2016: Jessica Judd vows to come back stronger after poor show at Olympic trials

There are no guarantees in life. Especially in elite sport.

Form, injuries, confidence, rivals, luck, weather. Everything will play its part as Jessica Judd will testify regarding her journey towards Rio as a Sky Academy Sports Scholar.

After a disappointing show at the British Championships, acting as the Olympic trials, the 1500m runner has one last attempt this weekend at clocking 4 minutes 7 seconds to have a chance.  

Here are Judd's thoughts on how she's using her frustrations to move forward in her career...

1. How's your heart and head dealing with Rio?

It's been so hard since the trials to remain positive. I obviously wanted to make this Olympics and it just hasn't happened this year. I have to stay positive and look to enjoy racing and training again, now that the pressure is off. 

I will just have to try to salvage this season and see how fast I can run which should help me going into next year.

2. What are your thoughts on Laura Muir and Laura Weightman who made the two [out of three] 1500m spots?

They are both running so well and obviously I would like to join them but it hasn't happened this year and I will just have to find the reasons why.

I hope they have a great championships though and I will just have to make the team next time. It's so upsetting that it hasn't happened but I will just have to turn it around and quickly.

3. How were the British Championships in Birmingham?

They were awful. The heat was okay and I managed to progress with no problems but by the final I felt tired and heavy-footed and I didn't execute the race well at all.

I never ran with conviction and was really doubting myself halfway through which didn't help my performance at all. After the race I was so disappointed and it took me a while to get over it. I know that next time I'm in that environment I want to race so much better.

4. There is a third spot - is there any hope?

I have until the weekend to chase a time but at the moment I am focused on training and trying to improve my fitness.

I hope I can race well on Saturday but at the moment I have to realistically think I may not be at the Olympics. 

5. If you're not at Rio, will it be a hard to watch the athletics?

Yes, but it will motivate me to get back and be at the next one. I feel that will encourage me to work harder in the winter when the weather is terrible and I have to get up early.

6. Does this make you even more determined for Japan and other big events?

Of course, I'm excited to try again and see where I can get to. It will be interesting to see where I go from here and all I can do is work hard and move forward.

7. What have you learnt about yourself since 2012 that you might change?

I need to be more confident in my ability and believe in myself even when it's not going well. This year I let the pressure get to me and I didn't take a step back to see if everything was working how it should.

I need to be more assertive in myself and trust my body to allow me to progress. I need to take more control and believe in myself and my training - then it will happen in the races. I feel like I've just forgotten about certain key sessions which help me to move on.

8. What competitions can you look forward to?

I have the England Championships at the end of July and then it's purely just trying to get PBs in the 800m and 1500m. I feel so far away from running a good 800m so that's something I really have to work hard at and just fix my training and racing.

9. How's your support network been over the last few weeks regarding selection and your big races?

It's been great. I appreciate everyone's support and kind words when it hasn't gone well. My family are really supportive and have helped me to move on from this low point.

My dad has taken more of a crucial role in trying to help me get back to my best and I appreciate his hard work. The Sky Scholarship scheme has helped me to discover myself and I feel that I can self fund myself to do better in the future.

I have people to speak to when things aren't going well as well and that stability helps me move forward. I want to thank everyone for their support and I promise I'll be back to my best in the future.