My Sporting Life is The i Paper’s look behind the curtain at what drives sports stars to greatness. Scottish long-distance runner Eilish McColgan reflects on early career setbacks, her crowning moment in 2022 and her relationship with her mother Liz.
I had a breakthrough when I made my first Team GB team at 21. I remember being with Jo Pavey, Helen Clitheroe and Jenny Meadows and just thinking, God, these women train so hard. Of course I always trained hard, but I didn’t put much effort into recovery.
I’d be up all hours. I’d be going out partying with friends. I’d be eating kebabs at four in the morning.
McColgan with mum Liz after winning Commonwealth gold (Photo: Getty)
I was just winging it, essentially. That was such an eye-opener for me. It gave me a huge wake-up call.
