Eilish in Dundee in 2023 (photo via Lindsays)
Body-shaming of Eilish is ‘demeaning and abusive’
By Chris Story
Eilish McColgan has headed for high ground as she prepares for her London Marathon debut.
The record-breaking Olympian has flown out to Colorado Springs in the USA to begin altitude training ahead of competing over 26.2 miles for the first time.
It is another major milestone as the reigning Commonwealth 10,000 metres champion prepares for the iconic event – two years after injury stopped her maiden marathon.
Speaking at a webinar hosted by Scottish legal firm Lindsays, one of her long-term sponsors, McColgan said: ‘In 2023 I was in the shape of my life and absolutely ready for London – firing on all cylinders.
‘But I got injured and didn’t make it. We’ve learned a lot from that. My mileage in training won’t be as high as it was in 2023.
‘I think training will be more gradual. But it’s going really well. I’m excited.
‘I haven’t had any altitude training so far. That’s the next thing. We’re going over to Colorado Springs, which will be an eight-week camp to really push me on – to get me back to where I was in 2023 and really confident going into the marathon distance.”
Eilish and scottishathletics Chair, David Ovens, at our Club Conference (photo by Bobby Gavin)
As part of her marathon build-up, McColgan has not ruled out competing in one or two more races on the road, potentially in the USA.
‘But that depends how I respond to being at altitude,’ the 34-year-old added.
‘It’s a long time since I’ve been at altitude so we’ll have to see how that goes.
‘London is the priority. If we can find something maybe in America, great. If not, I’ll just train all the way through and get myself prepared for London as best I can.’
Anticipation is high as McColgan opens the next chapter in her career by making the move to marathon distance.
And her plan is to soak-up as much knowledge as she can while competing on the streets of London as she looks to build on the experience as part of a field which is already being billed as the best-ever.
McColgan admitted the distance is different to anything she’s done before.
‘It’s such a big challenge. I’m very aware of that,’ she said.
‘My aim going into the marathon is to be competitive against the other British athletes. Going off my half-marathon and track pedigree, I should be.
‘For my first marathon, something under 2:20 would be an amazing place to start.’
Lindsays, which has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, has supported McColgan since 2013.
It has also provided legal support to Giving Back To Track, the charity she and partner Michael Rimmer launched and spearhead to support up-and-coming young athletes.
Photo by Bobby Gavin
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