Stenson reflects on Golden 2022

South Australia's golden girl Jessica Stenson has reflected on what's been an outstanding year, one that's made many "dreams come true".

The distance runner won Gold in the Women's Marathon at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, ticked a "bucket list item" off the list in running the New York Marathon, and was in recent weeks awarded both the SA Sports Institute (SASI) Female Athlete of the Year and Sport SA's Athlete of the Year.

Stenson ran the Birmingham Marathon in 2:27:31 on July 30, and followed up with a 2:27:27 at the New York Marathon in early November.

Stenson said it had been a year to remember, on both the success and enjoyment scale.

"It has probably been the most enjoyable year in my running career," Stenson said.

"It's hard to know what's played into that - we have cut my training volume back, but the quality has increased, as has the general training-competing-life balance.

"My perspective has evolved over the years - injury has made me hungrier, as has the absence of races because of Covid.

"All of that added together has given me every reason to fight harder for my results this year.

"This season my race plans have come together and I have been able to achieve the plan I have had for almost each race."

The 35-year-old's 2022 Commonwealth Games pursuit had many bumps in the road, but started at the Perth Marathon in October last year - her first Marathon in three years, returning to the sport from injury and giving birth to her son Billy.

Over in Perth she ran the fastest Marathon by an Australian woman on home soil, clocking 2:25:15.

Leading into the Perth Marathon, and since, Stenson has overcame three major injury setbacks, which forced her to re-evaluate her goals and expectations leading into 2022.

"I didn't go into this year with any expectations, in fact when I sustained another injury early in 2022 - a bone stress injury in the femur - I questioned whether I should keep pushing, but there were a few factors that played into my decision to go after the Commonwealth Games," she said.

"To win a Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Games has been a goal of mine for years now, and my two close friends Eloise Wellings and Sinead Diver had expressed their interest in running at the Commonwealth Games - so the opportunity to race with them would be priceless.

"The whole experience - from the training camp in Saint Moritz, Switzerland with Sinead, Eloise and each of our families, to the race experience in Birmingham was unbelievable."

Several months on from the Commonwealth Games, Stenson said she was honoured to have made a positive impact on Australians, young and old, that cheered her over the line.

"The Games feels like it was ages ago now, given everything that's happened since, but I have loved the opportunities that have come from the Commonwealth Games," she said.

"So many young females, males, mums and dads were able to watch it and feel excited about going for a run or going for their various goals - hearing so many of those stories makes it so worth while.

"I still enjoy those discussions that I have with people.

"When you are over there racing, you are in your own bubble with your team and on race day you are focussing on one 5km at a time and what you are doing on the course, and immediately after you are still in the Birmingham bubble. But when you check your phone and realise that so many people back home had watched it and influenced in a positive way, that's really special. 

"In those hours after and coming home, that's when I felt the crazy feeling of accomplishment, I have always loved representing Australia and when you can produce a result that makes your loved ones and the community proud, it's a special feeling."

"'A Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist', that's not a title that I ever thought I would be able to say as a young girl growing up, so it feels extremely special."

The Hills Districts Athletics Club member believes she still has more to give.

"I am now really keen to work on my Marathon time, my races of late have been about the opportunity to race a strong field and not necessarily the quickest course, so I am interested in having a go at my PB (Perth - 2:25:15)," Stenson said.

Despite being on her bucket list for many years, Stenson said her experience at the New York Marathon surpassed every expectation.

"New York was one of those races that I have always been curious about, and to do it with my brother Jack (Trengove) on debut, with Eloise (Wellings) also running, and to have my coach Adam (Didyk) there as well was special, I am glad that I have done it this year.

"It (New York Marathon) was better than I had imagined, the city itself is different to anything we know here in Australia - the high rise buildings, the energy, Central Park, we really enjoyed soaking up the city sights.

"Race day was another level of excitement, and it was a logistical work of art to get that many people to the start line and through the course was incredible.

"The New York Marathon has always been so highly rated for me because every person that runs marathons at any level always asks me 'have you run New York yet?', and throughout my 10 years of running marathons that's the question I get most, so there must be something special about it."

Stenson said she had her eye on running the Berlin, Valencia and Tokyo marathons.

Receiving recognition from the two state sporting bodies was a proud moment for Stenson.

"The SASI award was really special, I was in New York on the night of the awards so I couldn't thank them in person but I put it into a video to thank them for the incredibly positive influence they have had on my career on the last 10 years," she said.

"I have had the chance to work with a sports dietitian, an exercise physiologist, strength and conditioning coach, sports doctor, there is a whole team of people there that have collaborated with myself and Adam (Didyk) to compliment everything we are doing on the training track.

"Those one-percenters add up to produce massive gains, so I am thankful for the award, but moreso for everything they have done to achieve my goals.

"Then the SA Sport Award, that was special as swimmer Madi Wilson and I won it together.

"I am a very proud South Australian, and I feel so connected to the community, particularly still in Naracoorte where I grew up - sport is so important to those areas.

"To be recognised as someone who is encouraging others to be active and enjoy the benefits of sport, is something that keeps me going."

By Josh Teakle - Athletics SA