Competing with 'like-minded maniacs': why you should get into Masters athletics
Lifelong athlete Jodie Albrow explains why everyone should consider Masters athletics.
When and why did you get into athletics?
I have been competing in athletics since I was 11 years old, inspired by an amazing PE teacher at secondary school called Mrs Clay, who also happened to be the President of an athletics club, Holbeach AC.
I am now 42 years young, and there are only two seasons where I haven’t competed at all: 2017 (my daughter was born in August) and 2020 (we all know this story…). I became a Masters athlete in November 2017 but have continued to compete as a senior athlete, albeit mostly in the field events, as well as doing Masters competitions.
Jodie takes on the 80m hurdles in Pescara
Why is athletics important to you?
I have no idea! I guess I don’t know life without it and I don’t really want to. I love pulling on my trainers/spikes be it for a race or a training session.
I never get fed up travelling to competitions, I love bumping into people I haven’t seen in a while, and I hate taking a break in September when the season ends!
The Heptathlon 800m
What are your current goals?
To stay fit and healthy. I plan to compete in the World Indoor Championships in Florida at the end of March where it would be great to make the podium.
In terms of individual events, I’d love to get my 80m hurdles time below 12s, consistently jump 5m in long jump & go back over 1.50m in high jump.
What advice do you have for athletes considering Masters?
Don’t waste time considering it, just get involved – it is one of the most inclusive & supportive communities you could wish to be part of. You will meet like-minded maniacs who will become friends for life.
Masters is virtually no different (physically) from senior/junior athletics; we run laps / partial laps and hold ourselves fully accountable over how quickly we are able to do that, or how far we can throw something, or take to the air over sand / a bar etc etc…
The key difference is the support network that you immediately become a part of when you join the Masters scene.
I’ve been in multiple call rooms during my time in competitive athletics, and there’s a notable difference – a notable uplift in the level of respect for turning up / getting involved / bringing it / still doing it.
We aren’t doing anything different, far from it, but there is a united-ness about it which can’t be matched.
My closest rivals are also my biggest fans and supporters, it’s genuine, and my network of support is now global and you can feel it, really feel it.
My best friends in life are those who I’ve shared the podium with and know what it’s like to still train 5 days a week and get out there, in the same way you did when you were 25, despite all the other demands on your time that you now have.
You don’t hate you rivals for being better than you, you aspire to be like them and you look around you and feel nothing but inspired everywhere you look – it’s addictive, very addictive, but also something very special to be part of.
If you would like to represent Belgrave Harriers in Masters athletics, please contact the relevant coach via the ‘Teams’ section of our website.
Jodie stands with her Mixed 400m Relay teammates
Jodie’s recent Masters achievements
2024 (W40)
International Championships:
August 2024, World Championships, Gothenburg (Sweden): Heptathlon 4th, 80m Hurdles 4th
British Championships:
Heptathlon GOLD, Pentathlon GOLD, Indoor Pentathlon GOLD
Outdoor: 80m Hurdles GOLD, Javelin GOLD, High Jump BRONZE
Indoor: 60m Hurdles GOLD, Shot GOLD, Long Jump SILVER, 200m SILVER
2023 (W40)
International Championships:
March 2023, World Indoor Championships, Torun (Poland): Pentathlon GOLD, 4 x 200 SILVER
September 2023, European Championships, Pescara (Italy): Heptathlon SILVER, 80m Hurdles SILVER, Mixed 4x400 SILVER, Long Jump 5th
British Championships:
Indoor Pentathlon GOLD
Outdoor: 80m hurdles GOLD, Javelin GOLD, High Jump GOLD, Long Jump SILVER, 200m SILVER, Shot BRONZE
Indoor: 60m hurdles GOLD, High Jump GOLD, Long Jump GOLD, Shot SILVER
2022 (W35)
International:
February 2022, European Indoor Championships, Braga (Portugal): 400m 5th, 200m 6th
June 2022, World Championships, Tampere (Finland): Heptathlon SILVER, 400m Hurdles 4th
British Championships:
Pentathlon GOLD
Outdoor: 100m hurdles GOLD, Javelin GOLD, High Jump SILVER