Paula Radcliffe has given her strongest hint yet that she will take a break next year to have another baby ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games. The marathon world record holder, who is hoping to win her fourth New York marathon title on Sunday, admitted that she has not yet decided to compete in either the European Championships or the Commonwealth Games next year, and that 2010 could provide a convenient window for a year off.
"I think so. I'm not 100% certain on that but I think so. I don't have any plans made for next year. There are a lot of things I want to sort out in my head and fit in before 2012." Asked if that might include having a child next year her eyes twinkled as she said, "That's why I'm not promising anything for next year."
"I've made no secret of the fact that I want to fit in another child," said the 35-year-old, "but there's not a lot of time and you can't plan it. If I wasn't in the career I was in, I think we would have had another child already, so it's just trying to juggle all those things."
Such interest in the conception of her second child was clearly embarrassing for Radcliffe who blushed deep red, laughing, as she held her head in her hands. "Shall we draw up a wall chart?" joked Mary Wittenberg, president of the New York Road Runners and a close friend of Radcliffe's, while her husband Gary crouched behind a cupboard at the back of the room.Radcliffe, whose first marathon after giving birth to her daughter Isla was in New York in 2007 – which she won – felt confident that she would know how to make an even better recovery next time around.
"Last time I learned a lot in terms of letting my body recover a bit more and not using the elliptical [cross-trainer] – I thought that was safe because it was non-impact but actually it was stressing my sacrum where the ligaments and things hadn't recovered from the birth. I think I can be smarter coming back the next time. But I think you need to allow nine months to a year afterwards to be safe, you can do it a lot quicker but to be safe for 2012."
With 1,000 days to go, it must be difficult for Radcliffe to think about anything else? "Actually I have a more relaxed feeling about 2012 – I know that sounds stupid because it should be the other way round with the amount of pressure, with it in some ways realistically being my last shot at an Olympics, but maybe what I've been through at the Olympics gives me that little bit more of a relaxed approach to it that it's gone so bad sometimes it's got to work out well some time, too."
Does she feel that the Olympic medal that has eluded her has become less of an obsession? "Yes," said Radcliffe, "but that doesn't mean it's not important. I just don't really want to be wrapped in cotton wool the whole time and just think it's all about that." As if to underline the point she hinted at a longevity beyond 2012. "By no means am I saying the minute I cross the line in 2012, 'Right, that's it. I'm finished.' I'd love it to carry on."
This year's marathon – only her fourth since winning the world championships in Helsinki in 2005 – holds special meaning for Radcliffe, as two significant figures in her life, both affected by cancer, will be there to watch. Last year Radcliffe's mother kept her illness a secret and did not travel to New York, only revealing the truth after Radcliffe arrived home.
Radcliffe's friend and hero, Grete Waitz – who holds the record for the most New York marathon winsat nine – is also suffering from the disease, but will be in the lead vehicle cheering her on. "The most important thing is to win," said Radcliffe quietly. "I'm just happy to be here."