My first and last....with Andy Turner

ANDY Turner has been running angry in 2009 after having his National Lottery funding cut by UK Athletics - and the 29-year-old has been rewarded by having his cash reinstasted. Here he is talking hitting hurdles, Chinese and 3D glasses with Sportsbeat's Chris Cottrell.    

RUNNING ANGRY: Hurdler Andy Turner has had his National Lottery funding reinstated after a resurgent season (Getty Images)

My first event: Probably when I was about 14 or 15 and it was my first English Schools Games. It was the first time I had run in front of a crowd before so I was really nervous and I think it showed - I came last in my heat. But then I came back and won it the next year so that made up for it.

My first international event: I think I was 20. It was in Ashford, Kent and by that point I think I'd finished my season because of an injury but when the call came asking me if I wanted to run for GB, I wasn't going to turn them down. Unfortunately I don't think I made it past the second or third hurdle but I'll definitely always remember it. My first time for England was a little bit better - it was in the Schools International Championships after I'd won the English Schools.

My first time on top of podium: Winning the English Schools medal was my first time on top of the podium and it's still a vivid memory for me - it was a great feeling. I had a big rival at the time - Robert Newton - and I'd raced him about ten times throughout the year and not beaten him once. And then I did the double on him at the English Schools and the AAAs in the same year. He is a good guy but it was a great feeling to beat him for the first time.

My first Olympic memory: Probably watching Linford Christie at the Barcelona Games. I didn't really follow world athletics when I was younger but this was one of the first things I can remember. He was one of the those people who everyone knew at the time.

My first injury: The year before I won the English Schools and I broke my foot hurdling. I was in plaster for five or six weeks and it was really painful so it's not something I'm going to forget quickly.

My last takeaway: I had Chinese last Saturday - I'm definitely a fan of Chinese food. Obviously you try and limit them as an athlete but it's nice to treat yourself when you're out of training!

My last album: I'm into hip-hop and R'n'B mainly and the last album I bought was Jay-Z's new album, The Blueprint. I've not really been to too many gigs, not for a while anyway.

My last film: That was just this morning. I went to see Up in 3D with my kids. It was really good actually - you don't even realise you're wearing the glasses. I'm not really a fan of horror and gore in films. I generally go for blokes films like action or thrillers.