Laura Weightman is targeting World Championship glory this season as she looks to build on an incredibly successful 2014.
The 1500m runner enjoyed a memorable summer last year as she clinched Commonwealth Games silver in Glasgow before securing a European Championship bronze medal in Zurich.
When making her Worlds debut in Moscow two years ago, the 23-year-old failed to make it out of the heats.
But having proved she is more than capable of holding her own with the sport’s elite, Weightman is keen to make her World Championship mark in Beijing this time around.
“Last year was really exciting for me and it was a great to pick up the two medals at the Commonwealths and Europeans,” explained Weightman.
“It gave me a lot of confidence that I could compete with the best in the world, and it was a great stepping stone going into this year’s Worlds.
“It’s a big target for me this year and the last major championships before we get into an Olympic year.
“The 1500m is so strong at the minute but last year showed that anything can happen at a championships."
The 15th edition of the World Championship kicks off at the Beijing National Stadium on 22 August.
Although that is still six months away, Weightman insists it is never too early to start preparing – as proven by her early-season training in Kenya.
“It was really good to get out to Kenya for five weeks after Christmas and New Year and get that block of training in,” she added.
“It’s something I’ve been doing for the last four weeks now and I’ve really been seeing the benefits.
“It just allows you to eat, sleep and train, going from one session to the other, and it’s also good to catch up with the experienced athletes and get their advice.
“The Worlds feel a long way off but I want to be in the best possible shape for them, especially as it’s the last major championships before an Olympic year.”
© Sportsbeat 2015