Anne Wafula Strike

I suffered the heartbreak of missing out on the Beijing Olympics by just 0.1sec. It was really hard to take, but I did learn a lot from the experience. I remember watching the games from my sofa and analysing everyone's technique. You do not normally get such an opportunity and so it was a time to reflect and carefully how I could improve as an athlete. It also helped me look towards what I would do after my career, if it was suddenly taken away from me. However, looking back on 2008, I was suffering from a shoulder injury at the time and when you rely so much on your shoulders for your 'push', so I do feel that it harmed my chances of qualification.

My experience back in 2008 makes me even more hungry for success next year. I wake up every morning really enjoying the thought of training and getting on the track, which is a bit surprising because it's a gruelling experience which has become a part of my everyday life. The adrenaline always kicks in and my endurance is improving – my time's getting better.

Having the Games on the doorstep is an amazing incentive. These are my home games so I want to give a really good account of myself. This year my target was to get a new personal best and then, next year, we will really step up the training for 2012.