YOU CAN’T IMAGINE a 22-year old even considering the possibility of being labelled a failure but, then again, the more he talks, the more you realise the European Outdoor bronze and European Indoor 800m silver medallist Mark English is not like most 22-year olds.
In addition to the endless hours of training that comes with competing against the very best in the world, the Letterkenny native is also in the middle of studying medicine in UCD.
However, despite everything he touches over the past few years seemingly turning into a medal of some description, the 2014 Irish Athlete of the Year admits he worried about his future in athletics.
Nagging doubts that were really only put to bed once he mounted the podium in Switzerland at the European Athletics Championships last year.
“Winning medals, it does give you confidence. Before I went out to Zurich, there was part of me that felt I wasn’t fulfilling my potential at a championship level and to get that medal in the bag and, obviously, to medal at the European indoors, it just means that I can’t describe myself as a failed athlete. It takes a lot of pressure off you.
“Well, not really a failed athlete but someone who didn’t fulfil their potential. Even last year, I would have been the biggest hope for the Ireland team and you do feel that expectation so it is tough but when I got the medal it takes that weight of expectation off.
“It also gave me the confidence to know I can beat those guys. I have been racing them on the circuit and beating them but then, they are renowned as championship athletes so it’s nice to have that label now too.
“They’ll all look at me now when I go to the World Championships and see me as a bit of a danger too.”
How though, can he find the time to study medicine and train to the level needed to compete with — his personal best would have earned him a place in the 2012 Olympic final — the world’s top 800m runners?
“It’s much easier in the winter time because I’m not racing, then towards the summer time it’s a bit more challenging, there’s less time during the spring and summer to socialise.
“I try to do my studies between nine and five and get some free time in the evening to do a bit of training between six and nine. On my off days — Friday and Saturday — I can have the chance to do some socialising, and that’s important to me.
“It’s been challenging but I’ve managed to do it.”
Save for a celebratory bottle of beer after a major championship, English doesn’t drink as he feels it’s not worth the time it takes out of his already packed schedule.
As a future doctor, however, he’s far more concerned with other substances athletes are putting into their bodies but admits, like fellow Donegal man Brendan Boyce, you waste negative energy just assuming that everyone you’re competing against is cheating.
“It’s disappointing to know that there are these cases coming out but then the upside to that is that they are getting caught and the sport is getting cleaner.
“Obviously with all the allegations coming out with the Russian Federation, there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed and hopefully it will be over the next couple of years.
“You would have your doubts but it’s really wasted energy, trying to think about it because what can you do about it as an athlete?
“You just have to go out and run against who is there and leave that stuff up to the drug testers and let them do their job.
“So I don’t waste much energy over it. For me, it’s disappointing to know that there are athletes who may be using drugs but at the end of the day can they get much satisfaction from it when they go home and close the door at night time? I don’t know.
“I just just try to focus on myself.”
Unlike a lot of 800m competitors who also compete at the 1500, English is a 400 and 800 runner, something that means he had to be very particular with who he selected as his coach as most would ask him to change to run mile after mile after mile, something he feels would lead to burnout.
Instead, the Letterkenny native turned to Nick Bideau who helped Craig Mottram to a World Championship 5000m bronze medal, Benita Willis to a world cross country title and, famously, guided Cathy Freeman to Olympic gold in the 400m.
He also happens to be married to Sonia O’Sullivan.
“I’m probably training seven days a week at the minute.
“It’s not done by how many days though,, it’s done in cycles so it could be an eight-day cycle, it could be a six-day cycle, so about seven days a week but every day isn’t going to be flat out. You’ve got a hard session which breaks the body down completely and you have to let the body recover. You have to be smart about it.
“The reason I went with Nick Bideau is because he understands me as an athlete.
“He’s been around a lot of athletes, he knows what it takes at championships so it’s great to know you’ve got that confidence from Nick.”
As for 2015, well the plan is simple. Qualify for the World Championships and Olympic Games as soon as possible, then focus on tailoring his training to peak at the former.
“Hopefully I can get the qualification time in May or June. That would be ideal for me as it would give me enough time to try and peak instead of having to chase times throughout the summer.
“I think the standard is 1:46:00 which I’ve run five to ten times already so hopefully it won’t be too much of a problem for me.
“If I’m not running that time I don’t really want to be going out there anyway.”
First off though, is a race against the man many consider to be the best of all time.
“I’m back racing on 26 May in Ostrava in a 600m race. David Rudisha should be racing and word is he’s going for the world record.
“600m is probably my perfect distance because of the type of runner I am so I’m actually pretty excited by it as all the pressure is going to be on him and nobody will expect much from me.
“That’s a nice position to be in when racing a world record holder.”
European Indoor Championship 2015 silver medallist Mark English has become the latest talented athlete to join the Sky Academy Sports Scholarships programme, which helps young sporting talent to fulfil their potential on the international stage through funding, media coaching and mentoring.
