Rising To The Challenge | Lauren Ryan targets back-to-back Zatopek victories

Lauren Ryan thrives in the pursuit of excellence. Tonight, at the On Track Nights: Zatopek 10, she stands on the cusp of defending her Australian title, a testament to a year that has seen her rise to the pinnacle of distance running.

In an individual sport, where expectations weigh heavy, Ryan has embraced her role as the athlete to beat, transforming pressure into purpose.

The past year has been a whirlwind of milestones for the Victorian - two appearances at the Paris Olympic Games, an Australian short track record, and the national record in the 10,000m. Each achievement has added another layer to her growing legacy, but it’s her focus and grounded perspective that truly set her apart.

“There is a job to be done at the end of the day. Everyone’s goal going in is to win, and pressure is a privilege in some sense,” she says.

The 26-year-old credits her success this year to her steady and unyielding belief in her own personal growth.

“Running the standard last year was a shock to me but not so much my coach. It changed my perspective on an event that I didn’t really think was for me. I didn’t expect myself to become a 10k runner as soon as I did,” Ryan said.

Training with the deliberate focus of a 5000m athlete, Ryan has built a foundation on low mileage and has chosen to forgo the high-altitude training that many of her competitors embrace.  Yet, it is precisely this approach she believes has allowed her to flourish.

“To see that I ran 30:35 off no altitude training and relatively low mileage, I still feel like I have so much room to grow into,” she says.

“I take a lot of confidence from my training. That’s come from years of consistency and not one amazing workout or one amazing week. It’s about ticking as many boxes as I can over a long period of time.

The 10,000m bout tonight will no less competitive than it has been during this boom of Australian distance running, and Ryan acknowledges the challenge that lies ahead.

“Two years ago was a much faster race and last year was a tactical race,” she says.

“It’s going to be competitive. Australian distance running has had a massive boom, and no result is given out easily. We are all equally prepared in our strengths, and I’m just excited to toe the line and give it everything I have got.”

 “I want to win, that’s definitely an expectation I have of myself.”

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia