IT seems that every time Sol Sweeney steps on the track these days, he runs faster than he ever has before.
The 19-year-old has smashed his personal best in the 800m, 1500m, 3000m and 5000m already this year and with these performances, Sweeney has shown himself to be one of the most promising young athletes in Scotland. But while the teenager knew he was in the shape of his life, he admits his times have surprised even himself.
“I felt like I was in PB shape but I didn’t know quite how much I could break it by,” the Perthshire runner said.
“So really it was just about seeing how fast I could go this season - from the start of the year, there’s not been many races that I’ve gone into that I’ve not PB’d in so that’s been great.”
This form bodes well for Sweeney for next weekend’s British Championships, which will be held in Birmingham. The middle-distance specialist is prioritising the 5000m at the championships and having cut an incredible 41 seconds from his personal best this year, he is in the form of his life. And he is optimistic that if things go to plan next weekend, he can run faster than he ever has before.
Sweeney’s recent improvement has come largely as a result of his move to Glasgow last September, where he has begun an economics degree at Glasgow University. He has joined Andy Young’s lauded training group, which also includes Laura Muir and Jemma Reekie, and Sweeney reveals that being in an environment in which the majority of the group are striving to become world-class has helped push him on to greater things with, he hopes, more to come as the months pass.
“It took a little while for me to adapt to the training because I’m probably doing a little bit more than I’m used to but I’m settled in now,” he said.
“It’s good that we’re all aiming to do well outside of Scotland - that’s a good mentality to have and it definitely pushes you on.
“The great thing about athletics in Britain at the moment is that if you can get to the top in this country, you’re at a very good level internationally as well. So I’ve not set myself any specific targets about what I want to do and by when but as long as I keep improving, I’ll be happy.”
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