It is four years since the last Olympic Games but, for Susan Scott, the memories are still excruciatingly painful. At the British trails, the Scot did enough to make the team by finishing third in an 800m race won by Kelly Holmes.
 
But it was followed by what turned into a fruitless mad dash around Europe in a bid to make the qualifying time. “I had a few chances to do it, but missed by just seven tenths of a second,” she said, the hurt still clear in her voice. “It was heartbreaking. I just couldn’t get over it.”
 
But she has managed to push the frustration aside, and is back this year as one of the leading Scottish hopes to make the GB team for Beijing. And a lot has changed since 2004.
 
The Motherwell 30-year-old has stepped up to the 1500m and has moved to London to team up with a new coach, Mark Rowland, who won a bronze medal in the steeplechase at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul and is now one of Britain’s top middle-distance experts.
 
Unusually, she has also made a significant change to her lifestyle. Instead of the rather insular world of a full-time athlete, she is now working part-time in London as a cardiac technician.
 
“I was full-time for 18 months but then went back to work and people now tell me that I am running better than ever,” she explained. “It is a little annoying when the other people with Mark get to train all day while I’m at work and then I have to train in the evenings.
 
“But I like having the chance to interact with other people. I think I got a bit bored when I had nothing else but athletics and I also used to panic about what was going to happen in the future when my running career was over. Now I think I’m much more relaxed, and it’s doing me good.”
 
Under Mark’s guidance, she has got her 1500m time down to 4:09 – the qualification mark is 4:07. She’s confident she can do it. But, if she doesn’t, she’s determined not to suffer the same agonies as four years ago.
 
“The trials are in the middle of July and I will have another four or so chances to make the time,” continued Susan. “But, whatever happens, I’m not going to get too cut up about it. If I don’t make it this time, there will be no excuses.”
 
The Scottish record holder (1:59.02) over 800m – the highlight was finishing fourth at the 2006 Commonwealth Games - she is delighted to have moved up to the longer distance.
 
“I felt I had achieved all I could at 800 and the 1500m is something I’ve always wanted to do. I see myself more as a 1500m runner,” she said. “Now that I’m with Mark, I‘m doing a lot more aerobic training, running a lot on roads and on grass. I’m also doing a lot more mileage, around 60 to 70 a week.”
 
In essence, Susan is well-prepared for this summer’s big test. Goal number one is to make the Olympic team. Number two is to run well in Beijing.
 
When she looks back at the 2004 Olympics, she doesn’t just remember the massive disappointment. “When I watched the Games, it really made me think,” she said. “I was just behind Kelly in the trials – and she went on to win double Olympic gold.” The perfect inspiration?

EB
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