Interview with Jo Pavey

By Pat Goodwin

At the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Osaka in August, Jo Pavey, 33, represented Great Britain and finished fourth in the 10,000 meters. A two-time Olympian, Pavey has posted 4:01.48 in the 1500 meters, 8:31.27 at 3000 meters indoors, and 14:39 at 5000 meters. Her best time in the 10,000 – a new event for her – is 31:26.

She was quoted after the Worlds 10,000 meters race as saying, “I’m pleased, but there’s also a lot of frustration there that I got myself into that position [third place] but I wasn’t able to maintain it and push on when I needed. I’m also pleased that that was a performance that came in just my third 10,000 meters. I’m just a novice, learning the event.” The British press described her achievement as “the race of her life.” Spectators and television/internet viewers saw Pavey as the athlete who gave it everything she had and after finishing lay spread-eagled on her back on the track before she picked herself up and walked away.

Although Pavey burst on the running scene as a teenager (she was a British junior international in 1989 at 15), she has also missed time over the years due to lengthy injuries as well as to an illness. But each time she has come roaring back, defying the odds and putting herself on championship, world, and Olympic teams. Her focus now is the 2008 Olympics and deciding whether to return to the 5000 – an event she ran in both the 2000 and 2004 Games – or to continue tackling the 25 laps that make up the 10,000.

Pavey and her husband, Gavin Pavey – who is also her coach – live in Devon and are members of the Exeter Harriers club. In addition to her recent finish at the 2007 Worlds, her credentials include winning the Great Manchester 10K Run in May, silver medalist at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, fifth place at the 2004 Olympic Games in the 5000 meters, and fifth place at the 2004 World Indoor Championships in 3000 meters.

Fast-women.com: You’ve been a two-time Olympian, going to the Games in 2000 and 2004. Have you already been selected for the 2008 Games? Will your event in 2008 be the 10,000 and do you have your qualifying time?

Jo Pavey: Fortunately I have already achieved the qualifying time in the 10,000, but I will decide later this year which event to target—either 5000 meters or 10,000 meters. Obviously I will have to show fitness next year.

FW: Since you started running as a teenager, it’s been reported that you’ve had years of injuries. Can you describe what type of injuries you’ve had and how you recovered from those injuries?

JP: I was injured from 1991 to 1996 after a foot operation that went wrong. I returned in 1997 but needed another operation on my knee in 1998 and so I missed 1998 and 1999. I was told I would never be able to run again in early 2000 but ignored the advice and ran the 2000 Olympics. I have since run in all the major champs since 2000 without serious injury. I have daily physiotherapy and lots of exercises to maintain injury-free running.

FW: What has been the longest length of time you weren’t able to run and what did you do during that period of time to kept fit—did you crosstrain? Did you do other things like go to school, travel, etc.?

JP: The longest length of time off was between 1991 and 1996. I would run for a few weeks and then have to stop again due to my injury problems. In recent times I missed August to November 2005. I became ill between the semi-final and final at the 2005 World Champs. After the final I didn’t run again until early November 2005. I had a very strange virus. In late August /early September I was very weak and could hardly lift a knife and fork. It disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and thankfully I seem to have no long-term problems. This was a hard period as normally I crosstrain in the pool twice a day but because it was an illness and not an injury I couldn’t do anything at all. I am a full-time athlete—not at school. I did a degree in physiotherapy and then worked as a physio[therapist] for 18 months in a hospital before concentrating on my running.

FW: Were there times when you didn’t think you would ever run again? Did you ever consider giving up on the sport? What has kept you going?

JP: I was told in 1991 and 2000 that I would not run again. This made me more determined to get back. I have a very stiff back with extremely poor flexion. I also cannot straighten my left leg fully. On top of this my big toes have limited amount of range (extension). All of these problems are managed very well now but I did not have this level of support when I was younger and so I missed many years. Because of some pleasing results as a young athlete, that kept me going. My logic was that if I could do okay then, I could perhaps do okay again. I suppose I just wanted to see if I could.

FW: You met your husband when you were both teenagers and he is also now your coach. Has this long relationship been one of the things that has made the difference for your running career? Has he always encouraged you to keep coming back from your injuries?

JP: My husband, Gav, has always been very interested in coaching. Gav used to be a runner but decided to put all his efforts into coaching. It has made a huge difference. I am very lucky as he is so supportive. He is my husband, coach, pacemaker, and masseur. Gav sets a very flexible training that is modified in response to my problems/recovery. The training units are very sustainable and so I have a lot of consistency. My conditioning work is very gradual and so my training has developed very slowly from about 35 miles per week to over 100 miles per week now.

FW: Do you still work as a physiotherapist, or have you put this on hold for now?

JP: I have put it on hold for now. I hope to maybe go back to it one day as I really enjoyed it and found it so rewarding. The physio knowledge has also been very useful during my running career.

FW: In one article, it said 1996 was a turning point for you during a backpacking trip. What happened during that trip that changed things for you?

JP: We basically had the time to do the necessary exercises to overcome my injuries. We had more time to train hard and with Gav I gradually built up my mileage. It was so inspiring to run somewhere different in the world every day and around amazing scenery. We often use running to see the sights.

FW: Your event was the 5000 meters at both the 2000 and 2004 Games, with a fifth-place finish in 2004. You were very close to a medal in 2004. Can you describe that race and how you felt? Were you in the top at any point during the race?

JP: The race in Athens was very tough. We started with a 90-second lap and so the final times gave the wrong impression. I think Isobella Ochichi did two 65-second laps in the middle of the race to catch [Meseret] Defar. I stayed back and came through over the last five laps. I could see the bronze position just ahead and the Russian [Zadorozhnaya Yelena] and I were catching her but we didn’t catch her in time. It was disappointing to not get a medal, but I was pleased with my run.

FW: When did you make the decision to move up to the 10,000 meters and why? What do you hope to accomplish at this distance?

JP: I made the decision last year. I haven’t abandoned the 5000 meters, but I just want to explore the 10,000 meters before the Olympics. It is exciting for me to have new challenges at this stage of my career. It also seems like a good progression as I am starting to do more road races.

FW: How many 10,000-meter races have you done to date? What did you think of the event the first time you did it in competition?

JP: I have done three. The first one in Italy went very wrong. I had a low-grade virus and didn’t realize it. I ran really slow—outside 32 minutes. The next one was 31:26. I basically went through halfway at 15:50 (31:40 pace) and maintained this pace. I then just speeded up a little over the last four laps. The main aim of the day was to try and achieve the qualifying time. The third race was the one in Osaka.

FW: What did you expect in Osaka as far as the weather conditions and the race itself? Most likely it was a good preview of the type of conditions and event that will occur in Beijing—is that what you thought?

JP: Yes, I thought it was a good preview. I think the heat and humidity will make it very tough. I don’t mind the heat, though, and you know the conditions will be the same for everyone.

FW: Liz McColgan gave you some advice about preparing for Osaka. Have you known Liz for a while? Was she helpful to you as you prepared for Worlds?

JP: I haven’t been in touch recently, but Liz has always been very helpful. She is very keen to help when she can. Last year she sent me her buildup to the 10,000 meters in Tokyo in 1991.

FW: You’ve had a great deal of success at the 1500, 3000, 5000, and now the 10,000. What is your favorite distance of these and why?

JP: I think I like the 3000 meters indoors. Having the crowd so close to the track is great. I guess it’s a bit of a novelty running indoors. I don’t do too many indoor races, though, as the injury risk is much higher.

FW: Do you like the track the best? Have you done much road racing? What about cross country?

JP: I love the track, but have really enjoyed my recent road races too. Cross country is a big problem for me. As soon as I go on rough ground I lose my rhythm. I am actually a very poor cross country runner. I think my stiff back is the problem as I find it hard to correct myself when I’m thrown off balance. When I do cross country, I do it to run for the team as I really enjoy the team atmosphere and we always have a lot of fun.

FW: Are you excited about being able to go to a third Olympics in 2008? What are your plans for training and preparing during the coming year?

JP: It is always so exciting to compete in the Olympics. I will prepare as usual in South Africa as the climate is nice and warm and the trails are good. I would love to train in America at some stage as I have a lot of running friends there. Some time in the near future, I would love to run a marathon.

FW: What are your strengths as a runner?

JP: I think I am always positive. When things go wrong or I get injured I don’t dwell too much on it. I just get on doing what I have to do.

FW: Who are your training partners? What club are you with and when did you rejoin that club?

JP: I train with Gav for about half of my runs. He also pace-makes my sessions, which is very helpful. I am a member of Exeter Harriers. It is nice for us to be members of a club in Devon, as it is where we are both from.

FW: How many miles per week do you usually run and how would you describe your training?

JP: I don’t run to a set mileage. Gav monitors my training from my diary. I run a max of about 116-118 miles, but this is only for the occasional week. Most weeks are between 80 and 110 miles. Obviously with racing the mileage can get a bit disrupted.

FW: After the 2008 Olympics, do you think you will try a marathon?

JP: Yes, I would love to run a marathon, perhaps in late 2008 or early 2009. I think it would be a really exciting new challenge.

FW: You competed against Paula Radcliffe back when you were both teenagers. Do you know Paula well? How have your running careers intertwined? Do you feel like you are in her shadow?

JP: I have known Paula since we ran against each other as teenagers. All of the British girls get on really well. We have a large group of distance runners and we are all good friends. I think we are all really lucky to be in such a close group. Paula and I spend a lot of time in different parts of the world and so we don’t see each other much. When we do, we get on well. I don’t really feel that I am in anyone’s shadow as I am always aiming for my own personal goals. I have never been in the same event as Paula at a major championships, as she moved up to longer distances before I started running 5000 meters. I really admire everything that Paula has achieved—it is amazing.

FW: Of all the races you’ve done, what stands out as one of the most significant for you? Do you have a favorite race?

JP: I think Athens was significant. It was such a strange race tactically and it showed that anything can happen. The world record-holder and many other really fast athletes finished down the field. Anything can happen. Another high point was the Commonwealths in March 2006. This was extra special, as I had to really work hard to make it after my time off with the virus at the end of 2005. I have just run in Osaka and so I suppose the 10,000 meters there was pleasing as I was fourth. I was pleased with the result. It was so hot out there that it made such a slow pace feel a lot harder.

Interview conducted September 9, 2007, and posted September 19, 2007.