Femke Broeders-Bol, a former 400m hurdles champion, has transitioned to the 800m event, aiming for the European Championships. Under her coach Laurent Meuwly, she has adapted her stride pattern to maximize speed. Broeders-Bol has shown rapid improvement, lowering her 800m best to 1:55.60.

Despite facing tough competition from athletes like Audrey Werro and Keely Hodgkinson, Broeders-Bol remains optimistic. She emphasizes the importance of mindset change and embracing the learning process. Broeders-Bol enjoys the challenge of the 800m, viewing it as an opportunity to discover new limits. Read more racing coverage.

Broeders-Bol has studied past races and consulted with other 800m runners to prepare for the unique demands of the event. She acknowledges the need to adapt to running with other competitors, a significant shift from her previous individual lane races. Related: Elite athletes' strategies for managing race pressure.

This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Athletics Weekly. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.