As the World Championships approach, athletes from Great Britain are making their final preparations to represent their country. For some, like Issy Boffey, this will be their first major championship. In an interview with James Rhodes, Issy talks about her season so far and her recent achievement of breaking the two-minute barrier in the 800m race.
Running is a sport that often comes down to milliseconds. The difference between finishing times can be imperceptibly small but can have a significant impact on an athlete’s success.
In the 800m race, the two-minute mark is a coveted goal for many women athletes. Issy Boffey recently achieved this milestone, running a time of 1:59.30 in Madrid. This achievement not only met the Olympic qualifying standard but also earned her a spot in the upcoming World Championships.
Early Season Success
Issy started her year on a high note, setting a personal best time of 2:00.99 at the BMC Sheffield Grand Prix. She continued to improve throughout the season, recording a time of 2:00.25 at the World Indoor Tour Final in Birmingham.
Although she faced some challenges at the European Indoor Championships, finishing sixth in the semi-finals, Issy took it as a learning experience and remained focused on her goals.
Chasing Times
Issy’s outdoor season began with a personal best time of 2:00.18 at the Belfast Irish Milers Meeting. She continued to race well, including a second-place finish at the European Team Championships.
While breaking the two-minute barrier was a goal for Issy, she didn’t let it become her sole focus. She maintained perspective and recognized that her performances this year were faster than her previous personal best, showing progress and growth.
Bouncing Back
Despite a disappointing performance at the British Championships, where she finished fifth, Issy quickly bounced back. She and her coach, Luke Gunn, analyzed what went wrong and focused on finishing the season on a positive note.
The Perfect Race
In Madrid, Issy finally achieved her goal of breaking two minutes in the 800m race. She ran a tactically sound race, making the moves she had planned with her coach. Crossing the finish line in 1:59.30, she felt a mix of shock and happiness and celebrated her accomplishment.
This achievement has given Issy confidence for the future and secured her spot at the World Championships.
Enjoying the Experience
As she prepares for the World Championships, Issy is excited about the experience but remains focused on the racing itself. She recognizes that it is a big stage but is treating each race like any other, aiming to give her best performance.
Hannah England, the wife of Issy’s coach and a former silver medalist at the World Championships, has been a source of support and advice for Issy.
Regardless of the outcome in Budapest, making it to the start line is a testament to Issy’s hard work and a successful season. The women’s 800m heats will take place on Wednesday morning, and Fast Running will be covering the event.