Photos by Bob Given
RACHEL McCann is a young sprinter from North Down AC. She won the Northern Ireland and Ulster 400m title this summer, amongst many other achievements. Talking here to coach and fellow athlete, LEE MAGINNIS, Rachel offers us a glimpse into the life of an athlete, juggling her sport with her studies.
LM: “When did you start competing?”
Rachel: “I joined North Down AC just before I started secondary school, my first competition was the summer of 2013, but I did primary school races before then.”
LM: “Do you compete in any other sports?”
Rachel: “I used to play a lot of hockey with school, which I really enjoyed. I also got to grade 6 in ballet but decided to quit to focus on athletics”
LM: “Why athletics?”
Rachel: “It’s quite a freeing sport, no matter what’s going on in my personal life, I can step on the track and the worries and thoughts are gone, even if it’s just for that hour. You also have a great community within athletics. I’ve really loved training with the Queen’s Athletics club this year.”
LM: “Who is your coach?”
Rachel: “I’m coached by Michael Roberts. I also do some technical work and gym with Amy Foster (Northern Irish record holder for 60m, 100m and 200m).”
LM: “What is your main event?”
Rachel: “The 400m is my main event. I sometimes drop down to the 200m.”
LM: “Do you train in a group or alone?”
Rachel: “I would do a lot of my training alone. But during the season I was able to train with a few boys which was great. I’ve just moved over to England so my training group will change.”
LM: “Can you tell me about your studies and the Queen’s Sport programme you are on?”
Rachel: “Yes, I study Pharmaceutical Science at Queen’s University, Belfast. I’ve just started my Industrial Placement year at GSK based in England and then I’ll go back to uni to finish my final year.
I’m on the Queen’s sport bursary program which has been such a huge help for me this year, allowing me to access physio and the gym as well as nutrition advice.”
LM: “What are your targets for this season and next?”
Rachel: “I was really happy with the start of my indoor season this year, I ran my fastest ever season opener and qualified for my first ever Irish senior team. I achieved all the goals I wanted to in terms of winning titles but I wasn’t always happy with the times. I got injured just after a really good block of warm weather training before the outdoor season started and I never gained that fitness back. So I’ve taken a few weeks out from competing to focus on training for the next competition which will be the National Athletics League Final.
My big goal next year will to make the Irish U23 European team, hopefully individually as well as in the 4x400m relay.”
LM: “Any sporting heros/heroines?”
Rachel: “Probably Allyson Felix, coming back from a hard pregnancy is very inspiring and she makes the 400m look so effortless and easy. Karsten Warholm more recently as well. Even though he didn’t perform in the World Championships like he has in the past, he still showed up and competed when a lot of people would shy away if they knew they weren’t fully fit.”
LM: “What are your favourite foods?”
Rachel: “I enjoy a stir fry because they’re so quick, but my favourite food is definitely chocolate!”
LM: “Do you watch much sport?”
Rachel: “I wouldn’t really. My friends say I’m the most unsporty sporty person. I would watch some of the athletics and the Olympics but I don’t really follow any other sports.”
LM: “Other interests?”
Rachel: “I really enjoy spending as much time as possible outdoors, especially around the sea, cliff jumping. Since moving to England I’ve been able to visit the Lake District and the summit of Scafell Pike which had amazing views.”
LM: “What are your major achievements to date?”
Rachel: “My best achievement is probably anchoring the Irish U20 4x400m team to a tight 5th place at the European U20 Championships.”
LM: “What are your Personal Bests?”
Rachel: “400m 54.12, 200m 24.93”
LM: “What are your long term aims?”
Rachel: “I would like to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and also for a European Championships.”
