From competition to coaching for Aly Dixon
As she prepares to take a step back in her own competitive career, Aly Dixon is getting ready to make strides forward when it comes to coaching.
The Olympic marathoner and ultra runner had originally planned to run the Chicago Marathon this autumn and then retire, but when the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic she was left in limbo. While her future elite plans are not set in stone, one thing for certain is her ambition to help the next generation in athletics.
"Now that I am taking a step back in my competition level, and also taking a step back in my training, I am more available to go down to the track (to coach)," explains Dixon, who already leads sessions at her own club, Sunderland Strollers, when coronavirus restrictions allow.
"I’ll reach out to other local clubs, see if they want any help with youngsters. It doesn’t have to be the fastest or best youngsters, just any of them, or even the seniors – the women’s groups, anything like that.
"I am not so worried about standing for two hours in the rain and possibly catching a cold now whereas in the past I wouldn’t do that because it would then affect my training and my racing. I am willing to wrap up warm and go and stand down there and pass on my knowledge."
READ MORE: Helen Clitheroe's coaching journey
As well as finishing 28th at the Rio 2016 Olympics, Dixon is a two-time British marathon champion, having won national titles in 2016 and 2017. She has also achieved great success over even longer distances, having won last year's world 50km title in a world record on her ultra running debut.
She now hopes to use all her experience gained to support others.
"I am now 31 years in the sport," says the 42-year-old, who is a level 2 endurance coach.
"I am no expert and I put my hands up and say I am not an expert – I have still got a lot to learn.
"But I have made a lot of mistakes myself, I have done a lot of things right, and I just want to try and pass that on and help other people to get some enjoyment.
"There is no better enjoyment on both sides than seeing somebody improve and have that buzz of a PB and a good performance."
(Photo by Mark Shearman)
» You can read more about Aly Dixon, her club Sunderland Strollers and her coaching aspirations in the November edition of AW magazine
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