Paula Radcliffe talks to sport-locker.net at the new Nike store in Westfield, Stratford about the recent ruling that removes her record marathon time from the history books, London 2012, doping and much much more…

How does it make you feel looking back on your record marathon run in London in 2003?

It is something I look back on with a lot of pride and a lot of gratitude as well because a lot of hard work went into the build up to that and it was great to really turn up because that is the big worry with any marathon. In the first mile wondering how do I feel, do I feel good? Is it going to be good conditions? Is everything going to click into place? It did that day and I got a lot of support that day.

How much support have you had for the campaign to keep you record? 

I have been really taken aback by how much support there has been. When Nike started the campaign I was a little bit surprised but I shouldn’t have been because I have been with Nike since 2001 and they have always been behind me and offered lots of support to me and for runners generally.

The way people have responded and jumped on board with tweets and through Facebook, there has been masses of support and I am very grateful.

The decision must have come as quite a surprise. How did it make you feel? 

I was very surprised because I had no inclination and was not aware of the ruling until it happened. At the time I was really focused on the Berlin marathon to tried not to let it get to me. But post Berlin I took the time to schedule the meeting. For both me and women generally I think it was unfair. Women suddenly saw their area, national and world records wiped out, just gone and not even recognised.

Also it limits events and opportunities for women to set new records. I genuinely don’t think the pacemaker makes that much difference. Whether you are a group of guys being racing against each other or a woman racing against guys. I really don’t think it makes that much difference.

But for you, you still went out there and did it. It was you and your legs…

Exactly. On the day there was a bit of controversy with the men in the women’s race and the whole way round I was very conscious of that. If you look at any footage or photos I am never behind him always alongside. I didn’t speak to him, I hadn’t spoken to him beforehand. There was no pace set because I don’t run that way.

I run depending on how I feel. We spoke about rough splits at the half way but we didn’t discuss a pace. I was annoyed because he actually went on and beat me but I remember where we dropped the other guys.

The important thing is that I am sure I would have run sub 2:16 anyway because you still have the bikes and the support of the crowd and I knew I was in good shape and in better shaped than I was when I ran 2:17:42 in 2005 when I had to stop too so if I had known then that that would have been the record I wouldn’t have stopped.

Tell us what happened at the meeting…

I met with the President and had a good discussion and was able to get my point across about the ruling as well as talk about the London bid for 2017 and the positive news regarding the Olympic Stadium this week.

As a nation, Britain with its tradition of athletics and track and field should have a stadium to host major events and recreate the great atmosphere that I was lucky enough to experience in Manchester in 2002 and every year in the marathon in London. We want to be able to host these events and show what we can do.

You did really well in Berlin to qualify for London 2012. How are you preparing for that now?

I have recovered really well from Berlin and recovered from the operation really well and had the stitches removed today so now I can start getting back into running.

The thyroid problem wasn’t really an issue and shouldn’t prove to be now it has been over a year since the pregnancy so there is no reason why I can’t get into really good shape.

The bar has been set really high by the Kenyan athletes in particular and by no means will I go into London 2012 as the favourite but I confident that with a good build up I can get back to 2:17:00 and be in contention.

Being in front of a home crowd, will that play out to your advantage?

Definitely it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it and it gives me goosebumps just looking at the stadium and imagining what it is going to be like. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete in an Olympics in Britain and I just want to get out there and make the most of it.

Let’s go back to the ruling and the impact it might have on women’s running. How important do you think running is it women?

I think it is vital. Women tend to be multi taskers and we tend to have a lot of things going on in our lives so it’s good to have running as an outlet. I like to go out running and switch off and let the running take over and let the endorphins take over and free your mind of everything.

Sometimes I use running as a way to resolve some of the problems and things going on in my head to solve some of the little problems. It’s also great to use running as an opportunity to appreciate nature and all the good things in life and also to bond with other people.

That’s why run clubs like this one are so important because often people when they want to take up running are a bit unsure so it is great to have that support network who can offer advice on injuries and apparel and for women to take that first step perhaps with a women only group.

How important is it to have women role models?

I think it is important to have role models full stop but also to take the time out from your busy life of work and family and not feel like you’re being selfish to take that half an hour a day or every other day to just run especially for young women.

Ellie Goulding is a great role model for young women. When I spoke to her the other day at an event at Nike Town she was telling me how she has got her whole band out running together. For them it’s not just a physical thing but a mental thing too. She was telling me how one member of the band used to smoke 40 a day but now goes out running every day and it really helps them to bond as a band.

Running is useful on so many levels. It’s not just about reaching goals or endorphine levels or health levels but it’s also about meeting like minded people and feeling good about yourself.

What can give people the motivation to start running? 

Group running is great.  Run with friends and set some time aside and make sure that nothing can intrude on it. Setting goals is also good. Whether it is setting a certain time for a certain route or whether you want to complete a 5K, 10K, half marathon or full marathon. The process of working towards something is really helpful.

Confidence can sometimes be an issue for new runners. What can people do to boost their confidence?

If safety is an issue then running is a group is the answer. For self confidence sometimes it helps to get yourself some really cool clothes and kit. Sometimes it helps to have something new to put on.

If I feel down or my legs feel heavy I sometimes just take a new pair of shoes out of the box and it makes me feel good. I love all the kit available and being able to co-ordinate everything.

What strategies do you use for mental blocks while running?

Basically I try to think of the moment. I count to get a rhythm whether that be with your breath or your steps so that you’re not thinking about where you are or how far you’ve got to go, you are just in that moment.

Thinking about a tough moment in training that you have come through will help because if you did it then you will be able to do it in the race.

Everybody has their bad moments but you just have to have that faith in your mind and your body that you can get through it and enjoy the sights and sounds again.

I count to one hundred and usually three of those works out to be a mile so that helps to break down the distance.

How do you cope mentally with injury?

That is definitely the hardest time and I think distraction is the best method. Spend some time with family or go and see a movie. Once when I had an injury I went and watched Schindler’s List  and that helped with perspective and made me think that I cannot sit here and feel bad about a fractured foot when things like that go on in the world.

Do everything you can to make sure you heal properly and sometimes that is a mental thing too so that you’re not thinking about it all the time. Make sure you eat really well and put the right nutrients in your body and find something to do to channel your energy into.

Sometimes that can be cross training but other times it might have to be reading a book and painting a picture.

Has child birth helped to put the expectation surrounding London 2012 in perspective?

My two children definitely but also the experience of the last two Olympic Games. Also you have to consider things that happen around the world. At the end of the day running is fun and running is a hobby.

Yes I want to do well and yes next year is a big thing for me but there are a whole lot of more important things going on in the world.

What do you make of the ruling that is allowing athletes who have been found guilty of doping to compete in the Olympics?

Personally I am against the new ruling. I think that once someone has been found guilty then there is no reason why they can’t do it again. Also there is no guarantee that they are not still benefiting from the effects of doping even if they are not doing it anymore.

Having said that, once a ruling like this is made it has to be universally because it does seem unfair to athletes in this country who remain banned. Athletes like Dwain Chambers would be able to compete if he were from another country so the rule has to be universal and that goes for testing too. It is an ongoing battle to make it a fair and level playing field.

Paula Radcliffe at the Nike+ Run Club launch Stratford, where she rallied support for #HISTORYSTANDS. Together with Nike, Paula is campaigning for the IAAF to reinstate her 2003 marathon world record title.