The 2021 athletics season has come to an end, and 400m runner Susanna Banjo reflects on her achievements and experiences throughout the year.
Looking back on the year, it’s easy to focus on the things that didn’t go well. However, Banjo acknowledges the constant improvements she’s made and the consistency of her performances.
Among the highlights of her year are becoming the South of England Champion, winning a Bronze Medal at the England Championships, being part of the England International 4x400m Relay Champion team, achieving six of her top ten all-time performances in the 400m, setting personal bests in the 400m, and running her fastest 200m times since 2013.
Her proudest moment this year was winning a Bronze medal in the 400m at the England Championships, which took place on July 17th and 18th at Bedford International Athletics Stadium.
Overcoming the heat
The competition consisted of two rounds, with the Heats held on Saturday and the Final on Sunday. The weather on both days was extremely hot, but Banjo enjoys running in such conditions due to her experience training in South Africa earlier in the year.
Although Banjo has competed at the England Championships multiple times before, this was her first time winning a medal. Her previous best performance was a 4th place finish in the 400m in 2017.
While her goal was to win the race, Banjo acknowledges that anything can happen on the day, and all she can do is prepare herself physically and mentally.
Executing the race plan
Prior to races, Banjo practices breathing exercises to calm her mind and visualizes how she wants to execute her race plan. She believes she executed her race plan well on the day, but acknowledges that there are always areas for improvement.
Winning her 400m heat on Saturday gave Banjo confidence going into the final. Running the first round the day before helped her feel warmed up for the final, as she tends to perform better the day after running a race.
Running the 400m on back-to-back days can be challenging, so Banjo takes extra care in managing her body. She prioritizes getting enough sleep, eating well, making her own food, and warming down after her heat. She also conserves energy during travel and warm-up before the final.
It’s worth mentioning that Banjo achieved a new personal best time of 53.23 in the 400m!
A valuable team player
Winning a Bronze medal at the England Championships earned Banjo a spot in the 4x400m relay for the England team at the Manchester International on August 18th.
The event took place at the Manchester Regional Athletics Stadium, which is located next to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
This marked Banjo’s second time competing for England in the 4x400m relay. The first time was at the Loughborough International in 2019, where her team emerged victorious.
Once again, Banjo’s team won the relay in Manchester, and she thoroughly enjoyed being part of the England team. The supportive staff fostered a calm mindset, and Banjo aimed to give her best for the team. She successfully handed the baton to her teammate in her leg of the relay, despite the first leg typically being considered the most challenging.
Overall, Banjo is satisfied with how her season unfolded, but she remains motivated for more. The main goal she didn’t achieve this year was competing at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Staying motivated throughout the season was challenging, but Banjo was determined to finish strong and healthy. She expresses gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the England Championships and represent England once again.
Looking ahead, Banjo is excited about her winter training and the upcoming International Competitions in 2022, including the European Championships, World Indoors Championships, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships. She is eager to continue learning, growing, and progressing in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Lastly, Banjo extends her thanks to everyone who has supported her throughout the year, with a special mention to Performance Plus Sport, a charity that has played a significant role in her athletic journey over the past three years.