It is unlikely there are many people who would juggle a law degree with the demands of being a professional athlete. Let alone one looking to qualify for their second Olympic Games. Lizzie Bird, however, has done just that. Ahead of the 3000m steeplechase in Paris, Lizzie spoke to James Rhodes about her season to date, returning from illness and what might lie ahead, both on and off the track.

Seven and a half laps, 35 barriers. That is what separates Lizzie Bird from making her second consecutive Olympic final. For some, her performance in Tokyo exceeded expectations, but not if you followed closely. A ninth-place finish and a British Record, her second of the year.

It is fair to say a lot has happened since. The next year saw Lizzie improve her British Record to 9:07.87 in Monaco, but disappointment in not making the final at the World Championships. A busy summer ended well with silver at a home Commonwealth Games and bronze at the European Championships a fortnight later.

However, last season was all-but-wiped out by mono. A sole steeplechase at the London Diamond League, a last-gasp attempt to make the World Championships. It was not to be. The next goal, Paris. One obstacle in the way (alongside the 28 barriers and 5 water jumps); getting the Olympic standard.

Thankfully, the return to racing has been a positive one and something Lizzie believed could happen.

“I was pretty sure that if I could stay healthy I could get back to where I was before, but that’s always a big if! I had a few niggles in the winter that made me a lot less sure, but once I got over mono, which took quite a long time, my training up until December was pretty solid. A few bumps in January and February, and then got into the swing of things.

I got to April, and I was running out of time [to get the Olympic standard]. I knew I needed to start racing. My first race wasn’t very fast, but it never is for the first one. I was a bit under pressure with time, but it’s worked out ok in the end!”.

Photo: James Rhodes

Conquering Rome

After that season opener of 9:32.95 in Los Angeles, attention turned to the European Championships in Rome. From the outside, it was hard to predict what a good result might look like. There was no need for concern.

Bronze medal, 9:18.39, Olympic standard ticked off in just the third race of the season. It  might have been only two seconds shy of the gold, but it was a result to be proud of.

“I was really happy. Compared to the Europeans last time when I also got bronze and was actually really disappointed, this time getting bronze I was really happy with. I’d only done one race coming into it!  I thought on a good day I could medal but probably my priority was just to get the Olympic standard. I ticked both the boxes so that was the ‘a’ goal”.

Photo: James Rhodes

The British Championships followed, a Championship Record of 9:29.67. Lizzie and her coach, Pat McMurray, had differing opinions on race tactics, but being pushed for much of the race by Elise Thorner removed any dilemma.

“I chatted to my coach before and I wanted to front run a bit and make it fast, but he discouraged me from doing that, just because of the risk when you’re more fatigued. My plan was to pick it up for the last kilometre and see if I could run three minutes or just under. Elise took it out at an honest pace, she ran a really good race”.

Paris Awaits

A prelude in the French capital followed a week later; the Paris Diamond League. Lizzie finished third in 9:09.07, the second fastest of her career. There were plenty of positives to take from the occasion.

“I thought I was probably in about 9:10 shape, but it’s a different thing to go and do it. It definitely gave me a bit of confidence going into the final month. It was a very surprising race with the leaders, but it was fun to be up there with a couple of laps to go. I think I could have run a PB, but I mentally switched off in that last 200m. That’s something to work on”.

Less than a month after that race, Lizzie returns to the French capital for her second appearance on the biggest stage. After learning in Tokyo she is “a good championship performer and can rise to the occasion”, the goals for Paris are clear. Make the final, run a PB, finish as high as possible.

“I’m really excited. It’s my second Olympics but I’m really excited to have my supporters there and my family in the crowds”.

The Olympics will most likely be Lizzie’s last race of the season. However, with a new life chapter beginning in September, it may also be the last race of her career.

Photo: James Rhodes

Changing Gears

As a child, Lizzie was almost as well travelled as when a professional athlete. Born in the Philippines, her dad’s work meant time in Pakistan and Dubai preceded life in St Albans. This “immigration lifestyle”, as she called it, has played a role in what will follow a few weeks after the Olympics. Full-time work in immigration law at the Colorado Supreme Court.

After studying at Princeton during her collegiate years, Lizzie started law school at the University of Colorado after the Tokyo Olympics. Immigration has always been an interest, and law was the path of choice “to try and make a difference in the immigration world”.

She graduated in December and took the bar in February, significant life moments in amongst the steeplechase training. The balancing act of training and studying succeeded, but it will he hard to continue. No definitive decisions will come until post-Paris.

“I’m going to get to Paris, see how that goes, and go fully into my career and see what happens with running. I start work a couple of weeks after the Olympics, so it’s definitely going to be changing gears at that point. I’ll make any long-term decisions a few months from then”.

Regardless of whether the big dance is the last dance, it is bound to be an exciting one. The heats of the 3000m steeplechase take place on Sunday 4 August. Lizzie will be joined by Aimee Pratt.