Veteran Aberdeen runner Laura Mahady has enjoyed a globe-trotting year of success.
The University of Aberdeen sports psychologist started the year in style with a world record 2min 29.22sec in March on her way to winning the 800 metres race in the British Masters Indoors in London.
Just 10 days later, the 55-year-old bettered the world record once again by almost two seconds to win the European Masters in San Sebastian, Spain.
Mahady’s success continued in the Scottish Masters track-and-field at Grangemouth in June when she claimed gold in the 800m and 400m events before doing the double again in the British Masters Track and Field in Birmingham in September.
Mahady capped off a wonderful season in last month’s World Masters championships in Porto Alegre in Brazil by winning gold in the 800m and silver in the 400m as well as silver medals in the 4x100m and 4x400m events.
Mahady, who is coached by Ken Hogg and his wife, Joyce, felt confident going into the year as she was competing at a new age category for the first time, but says her success has completely exceeded her expectations.
She said: “I moved into the W55 category in February, so I am the young one again. I had a plan at the beginning of the year and it was great it managed to come to fruition. Getting the world record at the British Masters and then bettering it 10 days later in Spain was overwhelming.
“There was a big British crowd there which was really supportive. My legs felt like they were going to go in the final 150m but when I reached the home straight all of the British athletes and supporters were cheering me on which really helped and it was a special moment when I crossed the line.
“Going to Brazil last month was also a great experience but it had been a long season for me and I was beginning to feel tired. The summer track season usually finishes in August, so to still be competing in October was tough. My confidence had begun to go slightly as I was getting tired but when I got out to Brazil it all came good.”
After her year to remember Mahady says she is going to spend some time off the track to reflect on what she has achieved.
She added: “I remember when Sir Steve Redgrave won a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Atlanta 1996 and he said ‘if you ever see me near a boat they can shoot me’.
“I feel a bit like that at the moment – I need a rest, both physically and mentally.
“I have learned a lot through teaching sports psychology and doing research for lectures. Sometimes when I know I am not thinking straight about things I need to remind myself what the theory and research shows to get my head back on track. It has been a great year but I will enjoy a rest.”