Samantha shares Commonwealth hopes

In a recent interview with the group, she outlined her hopes.

Q: You’re heading the Commonwealth games this year – what’s been your journey leading up to this?

A: As I’m normally a sprinter, to prepare for the longer distances in Australia, I had to do the Chicago marathon in October to set a qualifying mark. After the World Championships, I also had some minor niggles, so marathon training wasn’t exactly as planned. Everything has gone really well and I was happy with my time and placing – it ranks me fourth in the Commonwealth. My other event is the 1500m, which I raced for a couple of times in May, which I’m currently ranked fifth for in the Commonwealth.

Q: How intensive has your training schedule been?

A: For most of the year, I’m a full-time athlete like any other – I train twice a day, six days a week, mixing up gym work, track and rollers, and pushing on the road near Glasgow, where I live. For this particular event, I’ve been focusing more on endurance and speed endurance, which has been a great learning curve and a real challenge.

Q: What’s your goal in Australia?

A: I hope to make the 1500m final and just see what happens. As long as I do my best, that’s all I can ask for.

Q: After the Commonwealth, what’s next for you?

A: I’d just like to achieve as many medals and world records as I can. Afterwards, I want to be happy and be able to take any new opportunities as they arise. I really look up to people like Tatyana McFadden, with whom I’ve raced and trained. She’s one of the best there has ever been, and is a genuine person who supports and helps others.

Q: What do you feel generally the attitude towards disability in sports is?

A: It’s getting better and becoming more widely accepted as sport. I still struggle, though, when I am called “inspirational”. It is sport at the end of the day and I am chasing the same goals and dreams as those on the Olympic side!

Q: How did you get started in wheelchair racing and what advice would you give others?

A: I tried lots of sports at the Spinal Unit Games at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, while in the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. I discovered wheelchair racing and that was me hooked. The biggest obstacle I found was raising the money for a racing chair. I’d recommend for everyone to give all sports a try and find one that you love.