Laura Park-Runner
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28th July 2008
The 16-year-old Allerdale star was British Fell running and Uphill Running under 16 champion in 2006 and since ploughing that line over the heather-covered mountain tops, she’s gone on retain her British title and add the English Fell running championship, the under 17 British and English Cross country championships and club Cross country title as she piles on the honours.
"Representing my Country at the 2012 Olympics would be a great honour and already having appeared for the country has gave me even more inspiration to work and train harder to make it there. It’s a dream I hope to succeed!" she admits.
Laura was 27th in a top-class field for the Great Britain Vest Under 20s Europeans Crosscountry Toro, Silver Medalist English schools 3k track, Gold Medalist Homes International Track 3k Cardiff and 3rd in Portugal representing Great Britain v Portugal & Spain. She claimed 4th spot Inter-counties Crosscountry Nottingham and was Northern Champion for track and Cross-country.
This season she moved up to 17th in the G-Britain Vest under 20s World Championships in Edinburgh and was second in the European counter.
The talented runner, who has just left Netherhall Specalist Sports College and recently started working at Netherhall Sports Centre, was Under 17s English Cross-country Champion, Inter-counties under 20s crosscountry champion, English club Cross-country champion, English Schools Track 3k Champion and Northern 3k Champion.
"My normal training schedule varies quite a lot. It all depends on which part of the season I’m currently in whether it’s track or crosscountry. I tend to train twice a day with a day off on Friday. I also have breaks when I’m not racing. I enjoy cycling and going to the gym too," says Laura.
"I try to have a balanced diet with the seven main types of food needed.
Protein, fibre etc. As an athlete their isn’t anything you can’t eat as you put the work effort in to burn it off. However, I’m very strict on myself and don ’t tolerate any rubbish like chocolate, crisps and biscuits. I treat my body with respect and I honestly believe a good healthy balance diet helps with the running. I love pasta and fruit. The odd cheeky cake doesn’t go a miss either!" she laughs.
Laura has long term aspirations beyond the 2012 games and says: "My ultimate aim in sport is still to be doing it when I’m 70 and still to be enjoying it as much I am now. An Olympic Medal wouldn’t go a miss either! I just want to make it to the top as a senior athlete."