“The main thing for me is that I don’t get ahead of myself”
By Stephen Leonard
NADIA Power is keeping herself grounded ahead of this week’s European Senior Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland.
The Templeogue woman has been in sensational form so far this year, twice breaking the Irish Women’s 800m Indoor record before it was won back by DSD’s Síofra Cléirigh Büttner.
Templeogue’s Nadia Power will be out in action at the European Senior Indoor Championships in Poland this week
It was in Torun where the Dublin City Harriers athlete recorded her best time so far, crossing the line in 2:00.98, and, no doubt, she will be hoping to serve up more strong times there this week.
Joining her in Poland will be DSD pair Cléirigh Büttner and Georgie Hartigan, who recorded a PB of 2.01.48 on her way to victory at the Elite Micro Meet last month.
Yet, for Power, focusing on herself and the immediate task at hand will be key for a strong European Indoor performance.
“I think the main thing for me is that I don’t get ahead of myself” she told The Echo.
“I think I’m ranked sixth going into these championships and that’s a very high ranking, but I know there’s a lot of entries and so it’s going to be a challenge just to get through the rounds.
“I know if I can get to a final I have as good a chance as anybody, but I don’t want to be looking too far ahead and thinking about a final.
“It’s not just my first European Senior Championships, it’s my first major senior track event so I’ve a lot to learn even though I have been running well.
“I am confident in my ability to race well. I wasn’t even thinking about competing at the European Championships up until about a month ago.
“I’ve achieved what I wanted in this indoor season. I’ve put in some really good times and I’ve bettered my Olympic ranking, so anything I can achieve at the Europeans will be a really huge bonus” she stressed.
While Power will always strive to be Number One over her distance, she believes the sheer level of competition she is up against at home will only benefit her in her development.
“I’m delighted with my times and the way I’ve been competing” she insisted.
“My time in Torun was such a good time and so far below the Irish record that you just have to laugh that it’s not even the fastest time now.
“We all want to be the best and it’s the most fun when you’re the fastest, but I think that it [not holding the record] takes the pressure off me ahead of the Europeans because there’ll be so many good performers to watch. It won’t just be me.
“It [the competition] always helps raise my standards and I’ve re-adjusted my goals simply based to the level of competition that’s there.
“I always turn up for training and give it my best, but I think mentally, this has helped me set the bar even higher” she said.
Heading out to Poland yesterday, Power will be out on the track for the 800m heats tomorrow (Friday, March 5).
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