Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about the training and motivation that helped you to become a gold medalist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games?
Ms. Louise Hazel:
My training regime for the 2010 Commonwealth Games was unorthodox I actually wrote my own training program as my coach at the time had to accept a job in London so I was left in Birmingham without a coach.
As a result of being coach-less I had to form a support network in Birmingham made up of different coaches specializing in high jump, long jump, shot putt, javelin, speed and I had to make it work.
My training program was six days a week at twice daily and I can remember at the time I was training for the Commonwealth Games my usual track was out of use and so I spent many a lonely evenings running my 800m training sessions on my own at the University of Birmingham and it was that training, that hard-work and that determination that gave me the confidence to attack and go for a podium finish at the Commonwealth Games.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics commonly known as London 2012. Provide us an insight into a day in your life back then.
Ms. Louise Hazel:
I would train twice daily six times per week. My day would start at 8am with breakfast and I would start my first training session at 10am. Typically this would be one of my technical events such as high jump, long jump, shot putt, hurdles or javelin. The evenings were saved for track work (running), or gym work (strength and conditioning).
I would have to schedule in where possible one to two weekly massages and physio therapy. In addition I would see a private osteopath.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
In September 2013 you announced your retirement from heptathlon. How has life changed post-retirement?
Ms. Louise Hazel:
Retirement is like rebirth, when you’re a professional athlete, training and ALWAYS competition takes priority. For me my creative side was repressed in favor of my sporting ambitions, so now I’m free from those responsibilities I indulge in other work opportunities, family time, holidays, good food, good people and dancing!
I didn’t realize until after I retired that I am a creative at heart, I write, design, produce and plan.
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