Lauren Boden - Lead into the London Olympics

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Category: Lauren Boden

Matt: Last time we did an interview you had just qualified for the Olympics what have you been up to since then?

Lauren: Since being nominated by Athletics Australia in early March for the London Olympics I have been focusing on training hard and getting myself into the best possible shape I can. I have been training to get fitter, stronger, faster and just prepared overall for competing in Europe first and then London.

Matt: Take us through your training regime leading up to the Olympics?

Lauren: Straight after Olympic Trials I went back into ‘base’ training where the volume of training increased but the intensity dropped in order for me to get through the extra workload. It was similar training to what I did before the 2011/12 domestic season but I found I was getting through it much better this time. I recently raced in Japan and Doha, just as a training stimulus and then used it to transition into a ‘comp prep’ phase which is where I am at the moment. The sessions are getting closer to ‘race pace’ and have increased in intensity and that is the way they will go right up until London. I am heading to Europe to start my racing in the lead up to London, where I am looking at having 3-6 races. As I get closer to London I will drop the volume of training sessions and they will be all about quality instead of quantity.

Matt: Confidence plays as massive role in how an athlete performs, how is your confidence levels going into the Olympics?

Lauren: My confidence is going great at the moment, I believe in my coach Matt Beckenham and the training we have been getting through and also what training/race plan we have set before London, I have been getting through my sessions so well and my self-belief is very high as well. I know that with some races in Europe, regardless of the outcome, I am going to hold my head up high when I get to London and just make the most of this amazing opportunity I have and enjoy every minute of it. I know that if I can do that, my confidence will be high and I will perform well!

Matt: What will be the first thing you will pack for the Olympics, besides your race gear?

Lauren: Very tough question! But probably my laptop so I can keep in touch with family and friends while I am away. And also so I can update everyone back home in Australia on how I am going and hopefully I can share my journey to the Olympics with everyone!

Matt: Do you get nervous when you wake up every day and think I am now one day closer to realising one of my dreams?

Lauren: To be honest, I don’t. At least not yet! I am sure this feeling will kick in and I suspect it will be once I get into the Olympic Village. At the moment I am waking up thinking of what session I have that day and how I can do it to the best of my ability, so that when I do get to the start line in London, I know I have done everything I could.

Matt: Are there any supplements you swear by to keep you at peak levels?

Lauren: Through the Australian Institute of Sport I have had the opportunity to trial Beta Alanine, which I think helps in training and with tolerance of lactic acid. Also Beetroot Juice, which helps on race day. Aside from that, I don’t take any supplements.

Matt: What do you believe, is the single most important factor in your success?

Lauren: I don’t think there has been just one factor that I can attribute my success so far to, I think it is a combination but if I have to single one out… I’d say belief. I have such an amazing support network around me, with my wonderful coach Matt Beckenham, the fabulous medical staff at AIS Ben Raysmith and Tony Bond, strength and conditioning advisor Ross Smith, my training squad MattyBDEPT and of course my encouraging and loving family. The one thing that everyone has in common is belief and belief in me! This in turn helps give me have the self-belief and confidence to train hard and chase my dreams, and knowing that there are so many people supporting me and believing in me, it really is amazing and an important factor in my success so far!

Matt: Favourite cheat meal?

Lauren: I have actually just bought a house with my boyfriend Heath and have taken over the cooking duties, which somewhat surprisingly, I am loving! Therefore I don’t really have any cheat meals because I love making everything from scratch. Home-made Sheppherd’s Pie is a new favourite and I also love cooking a Chicken Green Curry.

Matt: Top 5 songs you are listening to at the moment?

Lauren:

Someone like You – Adele

Lego House – Ed Sheeran

Never Let Me Go – Florance + The Machine

Princess of China – Coldplay & Rihanna

Astronaut – Simple Plan

Matt: What is the worst thing you have forgot to take on race day?

Lauren: Recently I forgot to take my Beetroot Juice 2hrs before I raced and only realised before I went into the call room. So I took it anyway! Usually I make a list of things I need at the track to avoid awkward situations!

Matt: What would your top 5 overseas travel tips be?

Lauren:

1. Always pack your comp gear in your on-board bag!! – It is athlete travelling 1-0-1!
2. Always know where your passport is! Having a mini heart attack because you’ve misplaced your passport
3. Be ruthless with your packing – they do have shops overseas so if you forget something, you more than likely can buy it. But also, airlines are sometimes not as lenient as in Australia so if your luggage is even 0.1kg over they may not let you fly!!
4. Take your camera – take pictures of everything and everywhere you go! Travelling is so amazing and it is the best way to document your travels and keep precious memories forever
5. Keep in contact with loved ones – sometimes it can get lonely travelling so it is nice to be able to contact family and friends at home via Skype, emails etc

Matt: Anything you would like to say to your fans?

Lauren: I would love to take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to my fans! I honestly appreciate all of the support, probably more than you know. Please, keep following my journey as I work my way toward the London Olympic Games. Shout loudly at your TV when I am running at the Olympics (even if you have to wake up super early!) and follow me on my website www.laurenboden.com as I keep you up-to-date with races, results, blogs and footage. You can also write letters of support and I will receive them in the Olympic Village. Thank you again and enjoy the ride!! :)

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