Olympic 10,000 metres finalist Beth Potter has drawn up a route map towards Tokyo 2020 but it is not the path many had foreseen.
The 25-year-old Glaswegian has revealed plans to pursue a transition from athletics into triathlon in 2017, an itch sat unscratched since the idea was originally floated but then parked four years ago.
Having quit her job teaching physics in London before Christmas in order to dedicate herself to training full-time, the Great Britain internationalist has now relocated to Leeds to join an elite squad that includes Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, the gold and silver medallists in the men’s event from Rio 2016, plus Vicky Holland, who took bronze in the women’s.
Overseen by Jack Maitland, the former Scotland triathlete-turned coaching guru, it represents the best possible place for Potter – who came 34th in Brazil following an untimely illness - to serve an apprenticeship. “I was really excited about coming up here,” she admitted. “But at the same time a bit worried. It’s a new challenge. But I’ve had loads of help and support already. Everyone’s been great.”
A talented swimmer in her teens when she won Scottish championship medals, it is the cycling that will take the greatest slice of learning. Running will come easiest but although it will no longer be her main focus, Potter is not cutting ties completely with athletics.
“I’m still aiming for the world championships and the trials,” she confirmed. “I want to qualify for Commonwealth Games as well. But I want to try triathlon to see how I do in that. It’s because I reached the Olympics and thought: ‘what do I want to do?’
“I don’t feel like I’m finished with running. But I’ve achieved everything I wanted to do. Perhaps I would have wanted to do better at the Olympics. But triathlon is something I’ve always wanted to give a go at. And it was the right time to make the move. The next Olympics are another four years away so I have the time if I want to go back. But now I want to give it a crack for 6-12 months and see how I fare.”
Her new landlord can dispense daily wisdom. Jonathan Brownlee has rented her a spare room to ease into life in Yorkshire amid the shock to the system that comes with mastering three disciplines not one. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.” The shift in gears may lead to Japan or it might be a temporary diversion. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
“It will be fine for me to slot back into running,” she said. “I can also pick up my teaching again, whether it’s subbing or another job. But I want to try triathlon. I have to try this.”
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