Hannah Irwin: Where Next?

I'm a runner and a Master's student in Creative Writing at the University of Surrey, and lockdown changed less about my training than you'd think.

My biggest adjustment was swapping pool sessions and aqua jogging for other cross-training once the pools closed — I dusted off a cross trainer I'd bought years earlier and tried rowing, though I've stuck with the cross trainer.

Training alone felt familiar rather than new, though I did gain an unexpected training partner when my boyfriend moved in during lockdown. The uninterrupted block let me work on weaknesses without the pressure of constant racing, which had been getting to me before.

Looking ahead, cross country is my main focus for the post-COVID calendar. I'm not sure what the race schedule will look like, but my goals are ambitious — including earning some international vests. I'm building endurance and speed together, with a tentative plan to test myself over 5km before racing cross country.