Jessica Ennis
Jessica Ennis
Jessica Ennis-Hill, CBEis a British track and field athlete from England, specialising in multi-eventing disciplines and 100 metres hurdles. A member of the City of Sheffield & Dearne athletic club, she is the current Olympic and world heptathlon champion. She is also the former European heptathlon champion and the former world indoor pentathlon champion. She is the current British national record holder for the heptathlon. She is a former British record holder in the 100 metres hurdles, the high jump and the...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionRunner
Date of Birth28 January 1986
CitySheffield, England
Training is full-on. Some days I really don't want to get out of bed and hit that track again. Sunday and Monday morning sessions are always horrible. But who really looks forward to going to work on a Monday morning?
People think the gold medal is yours and they say you're going to win - but they have no idea how hard it is. People aren't doing it negatively - they're mostly lovely and they really do want you to win - but they don't understand the difficulty and intensity of competition.
It's really important for me to look good before a race. I definitely think if I feel I look good, it makes me feel more confident.
I learned what I need to do in the long jump, what I needed to do in the javelin and I've been able to rectify those events. It's been a bit of a learning curve, which is good.
I love getting dressed up for red carpet events and having my hair and makeup done professionally - that definitely helps with nerves of going down the red carpet.
I was around 15 when I first wanted to compete in an Olympics. I even remember the first time I got to wear a GB kit as a junior. I've even kept it. It's in my mum's loft somewhere, probably gone mouldy by now.
It's quite funny in that I once won Rear of the Year at my school! I was about 17 in the sixth form and we used to have an end of year celebration and give out different awards. I even got a little trophy!
My idea of beauty is somebody that doesn't have to try too much, someone who is effortless and fresh.
I do watch what I eat but I've got a real sweet tooth.
I just love thinking about what makes people tick
People who aren't perhaps that into sport are going to be following me and wanting to be part of the Olympics. That definitely does bring added pressure but as an athlete the Olympics are the ultimate competition.
I'm proud of the way I've dealt with setbacks. It's hard when you feel down and you think, 'Why is the world doing this to me?' But you have to pick yourself up again. That's what makes you a better athlete.
We always spend more time on the throwing events and a little bit more on the long jump. They're my weaker events - they don't come as naturally to me as running and jumping. I like the hurdles and the high-jump, I'm a springy, speedy athlete so those suit me.
One minute you're a developing athlete trying to get to the top, then the next minute you do well and win a medal somewhere, and then it's all foisted on you. You never know when it's going to happen. You don't think about the media side of things when you're a young athlete trying to do well.