I can’t help but feel like a bit of a brat right now because it has come to that day you never thought would come. I’m feeling rather depressed. It all happened so fast – finished eligibility in the US, raced the A qualifier, selected in the Aussie team, fly to London, opening ceremony, race/best birthday every, family celebrations…. Then bam! Family leaves, village empties, bags are packed and we are getting ready for the closing ceremony. Seriously, reality now seems so dull. Oh and I’m 23…

On a brighter note, this has been my little fairy tale. What an adventure I have had starting right back at the beginning of the season. When everybody asks me about this experience, all I can say is that for the past month I can NOT remember a dull moment. Every second has brought something new and exciting into my life. I have walked amongst world champions, touched Olympic medals, earned my countries uniform, made amazing friendships, and most of all – I have competed on the biggest stage in the world. Needless to say this is not it for me. Coming to the Olympic Games has given me so much more perspective on where I want to go from here and where I see myself in the future. This is why I do it. We sacrifice, train, sweat, cry, punish and try every day for this reason. The rewards are worth every grueling minute and I now believe that this next step will be easier after what I have experienced.

Racing out there under millions of eyes was a special moment. I tried to embrace it as much as possible however at the same time I was trying to convince myself it was just like any other race. When I took the track I held back tears – not fearful, sad or worried tears but that emotion where you feel like you are at the pinnacle of amazement/honor/pride. I don’t even know how to explain it. The race went too quickly to even recall what happened. I remember feeling great and enjoying every moment; I just wish I had a little more fuel in the last lap. I finished with a PR and a sense of relief. I did my job out there and enjoyed every second. After I walked off the track I just wanted to do it all again – I was pumped! The sweet volunteers in the call room all sang me happy birthday, even some of the athletes from my heat haha.

After all of that I had the most important people in my life all waiting for me at the Olympic village gate. All 12-15 of my family had got into the stadium for my race at the last minute. My mumma couldn’t stop crying – she just said I had brought the family together these two weeks and allowed her to also live a little fairy tale. The Olympics pulled gaps in my family back together and had them all in London watching me compete at the Games. So the birthday celebrations began. I got to hang out with Emma Colburn and her family and Evan Jager one night and we discussed steeple. Not really, but we had an awesome night - real cool kids.

Anyway, I am slowly getting two feet back on the ground. I have two more races – 20th and 26th in Austria and Germany I believe, so I have to now refocus. Then bring on the fall base training. I have a lot to sort out these next few months because I have started the road to Rio! It’s happening… but for now, bye – thanks Flotrack!