Being awarded a silver medal at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing was one of the proudest moments of Shelly Woods' life. The long distance wheelchair racer had long dreamt of winning her first major medal and was all set to receive the award she had so richly deserved.
Finishing second in her first Paralympic final, the 5000m, was a huge achievement for Woods, who at 21 years of age was one of the youngest racers. Unfortunately due to a clash on the final lap the medal would be taken away and the race re-run.
"I have never been through so many ups and downs in one day. I was unbelievably proud to be on the podium receiving the medal but to be told that we would have to race again was a bit gutting," describes the 24-year-old. "There was a point where I thought about getting on a plane and going on the run with the medal."
Thankfully she decided to stay and once again finished in the medal positions, this time claiming a bronze. Woods also managed to get her hands on that elusive silver medal when she took part in another of her favourite events, the 1500m.
Although Woods enjoyed success at her first Paralympics she admits that just being selected was a dream come true. "The selection process was really tough as you pretty much had to be going at a world record pace. They were basically only selecting racers who had medal potential, so as a youngster I had to raise the bar.
"From the age of 17 I had been training like mad which meant I was pretty experienced by the time the Paralympics came around. I was racing against girls in their later twenties and early thirties so experience really was the key. Thankfully the support staff are great and a learnt loads from the likes of David Weir who has been there and done it."
Alongside seasoned athletes such as David Weir, who has won six Paralympic medals, Woods enjoyed great success in China and is now looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd in London.
The talented racer is no stranger to big crowds and noisy support as she has already gained plenty of experience through her success in the London marathon. "You don't get many chances to race at home so I try and do the marathon every year. When I won in 2007 it was fantastic, the crowds were absolutely brilliant."
Although Woods has tasted success in London she has suffered heartache in New York where on three occasions she has had to settle for second place. She now has her sights firmly set on winning in New York and breaking records at next years World Championships in New Zealand.
"My training goals are to win the marathon and to medal in the 1500m and the 5k at the worlds. I am also chasing the world record for the 5000m so hopefully I can get that record to my name as well."
At a recent event Woods broke the 1500m world record, a distance she claims is her least favourite. With the 5k record and a New York Marathon win in her sights it seems the ultra determined racer will not rest until she has every title and record to her name.
With the Paralympics just two years away Woods seems destined to go one better than her silver medal in Beijing and claim gold in front of a ecstatic home crowd.
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