THE Commonwealth Games begins today and one Wycombe runner is already preparing for her moment.

Pippa Woolven of Wycombe Phoenix Harriers runs in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase on Wednesday evening.

She will be at the opening ceremony tonight but after that it will be strictly business as she prepares for the biggest race of her life - her senior England debut in front of 50,000 fans.

Woolven, who turns 21 on Saturday, said: “I do the whole race analysis nearer the time to really make me nervous because I like being nervous, but I’ve no idea what to expect.

“You adjust your tactis according to who is in the field and the conditions.

“I know it’s going to be a big race so I’m not going to charge to the front. I’ll tuck in somewhere and work my way up.

“It’s going to be unusual because normally when I’m doing a steeple I’m at the front of the pack so I can see what I’m doing and see the jumps. It will be interesting to not be up there, but I love performing under pressure.”

For more, see Friday's Bucks Free Press.