Mum's the word as Pavey seeks marathon challenge

By David Jordan, Sportsbeat

NEW mum Jo Pavey is back in training and plotting a path on the long road to the London 2012 Olympic marathon.

LOOKING AHEAD: Jo Pavey is back in training and claims motherhood suits her ambition to step up to marathon running (Getty Images)

Pavey, who gave birth to her first son Jacob earlier this year, hopes to join world record holder Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi, second in this year's London Marathon, in a three-pronged home attack for success in the capital.

"My main hope for next year is to make my debut at the marathon," said Pavey, who finished fourth over 10,000m at the 2007 World Championships and has competed in three Olympics over 1500m, 5000m and 10000m.

"I am not complacent about the marathon distance, and I know that there is a lot to learn, but I am very excited to be training for a different event at this stage of my career.  



"I am very much aiming to compete in the London Marathon in 2010, but I must be sensible in the way I build up my training. 
It is important for me to have my debut in London on home soil, if possible, as it would feel special.



"When I first compete in the marathon I hope that I can do a good performance, but I know that it is a very difficult event to get right, and there is a lot to learn."

Pavey will be just one month short of her 40th birthday when aims to compete in a fourth Olympics in London.

However, she is taking heart from Romania's Constantina Diţă, who became the oldest woman to win an Olympic marathon, aged 38, in Beijing.

"It is important for me to be back competing next year with 2012 on the horizon," added Pavey, who is targeting the European Championships in Barcelona as her main event in 2010's crowded schedule.

"It will give me time to start gaining marathon experience, so that I will hopefully be very familiar with the event by 2012.

"It is so motivating to have the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games, in your own country.

"I really want to run the marathon in 2012.  However, I suppose you can never say that this is set in stone.

"I would really prefer to run the marathon than to run on the track at that stage of my career.  I am already shifting my emphasis more towards the roads."