Q Jumping – anyone can do that, right?
A Anyone can have a go. The jumps are fun. The high jump, for example, is the sort of event people love to try. When you talk about performing at a high level, talent and physique play a part. Having said that, Britain’s number one high jumper, Jessica Ennis, is a bit of a pixie. She’s shorter than me and can jump higher than me. Your stature does not have to restrict your performance.
Q What kind of personality makes for the best jumpers?
A You do have to be strong psychologically, particularly in the high jump and pole vault where you have to face the physical barrier of the bar; you have to be prepared to jump heights you’ve never cleared before. It helps to have a strong personality and to be a competitive person because you have to push yourself to be as good as you can be. To do the pole vault, you also need to be a bit crazy and enjoy the danger element.
Q How do I pick which type of jumping to take up?
A My advice would be to have a go at all of them for as long as you can. Only when you hit 16 or 17 would I advise specialising. You’ll end up selecting the discipline you enjoy the most and best suits your talents.
Q What the toughest form of jumping?
A I would say high jump and pole vault because of that physical barrier. When you attempt to jump a height that you’ve never cleared before you have to be mentally tough and not be afraid of the unknown.
Q How much will it cost to buy all the kit I’ll need?
A The most important thing to buy is a good pair of spikes. A pair of high jump or pole vault spikes cost between £70-£120. But you probably don’t need to shell out that much when you’re starting out. You can gradually add to, and improve the quality of, your kit as you develop. For the triple and long jump you just need an ordinary pair of spikes.
Q What’s the best way to pick an athletics club?
A Visit UK Athletics’ website. There are some good links on there and you can find out about all the clubs in your area. Then it’s a case of going down to your local club, introducing yourself, finding out which coaches are down there and giving it a go.
Q How do the training plans differ between high jump, long jump, triple jump and pole vault?
A It differs from event to event when you reach a high level, but it is pretty much the same training across the board when you are young. You need a lot of cross training to gain good, all-round fitness, strength and plyometric [stretching] strength. There are a lot of similarities between the events in terms of what training you require.
Q Can you learn much from watching the top jumpers?
A Absolutely. I think it is valuable to watch top-level athletes excelling in their sport because it acts as a good motivation.
Q What kind of diet should I be on?
A A good, balanced one. You have to watch your body weight and power-to-weight ratio. If your training is hard but balanced, and you are eating sensibly, you will be fine.
Q Is there any sort of training I should be doing away from the events?
A Definitely. Cross training, because, for jumpers, a lot of work is carried out in the gym. You have to be strong to protect your body from the stresses and strains of jumping. As a jumper you have to be strong, fast and powerful, so you combine all the other elements of training carried out by other athletes.
Q What’s the best piece of jumping advice you’ve ever been given and who gave it to you?
A My old coach said: “Don’t come down too soon.”