“My winter training has been going really well,” she said. “I have made lots of improvements. I have not done a proper winter’s training before, but it has been worthwhile because my technique has improved and I have become stronger.
“I can lift more, meaning I can use heavier poles, meaning I can jump higher. It’s going really well.”
Bleasdale has sought the advice of a sports psychologist as she closes in on what must be the biggest event of any British athlete’s career.
“I have been speaking to a psychologist and the main thing to come out of that is to concentrate solely on myself,” she said. “I have been learning how to deal with different situations and scenarios.
“It means I can go to the Olympics prepared for anything because it is not just about the physical training.”
The Manchester Metropolitan University student has already learned something about the potential pitfalls of major competition after she failed to register a height at last year’s World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
Bleasdale had three failures at what should have been a regulation height of 4.25m, and her disappointment was clear for all to see as she broke down in tears.
