Lauren Reid attempting to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games

The 35-year-old began competitive running late in life and took part in her first track race in December 2017.

"I was actually unwell before that for about ten years so I wasn't able to run or exercise at all for a long time.

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"I had heart failure and thought I wouldn't make it, let alone run.

"I just want to send a message that you can always keep shooting for your goals."

Reid will compete at the national championships for the 5,000 metre and 1,500 metre, with both races doubling as qualifying events for the Tokyo Olympics.

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"I was at the Commonwealth Games selection trials in 2018 but I didn't qualify," she said.

"Then I had a baby and now I'm coming back and trying to get as close to the time as possible.

"I've put a lot of work in to try and get close, as everyone does, but I am older than pretty much all of my competitors when I'm on the start line. I don't have that typical story of going over to the States and running at college. I'd love to be that dark horse that makes it. It would mean everything."

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For Reid, age is just a number and knows when she steps on that track, anything is possible.

"Some of these girls I'm running against have been training professionally for 10 or 15 years and it's a lot on the body," she said.

"But I think one little positive of being older is that my body is still young in training years.

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"I'm just happy to be fit and healthy. When you're even at the point where you're on the start line against the top people in the country, that's an achievement in itself."

This year has already proved to be a successful one for her as well.

Back in January she broke the women's parkrun world record.

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"I managed to get that one in the bag," she said.

"It's an indication that I'm quite fit at the moment.

"The qualification time for the Olympics 5km is 15 minutes and 10 seconds, and I ran that parkrun in 15 minutes and 45 seconds. Then I was on the track in Melbourne last week and I got down to 15 minutes 30 seconds, so I'm getting closer."

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Reid moved to Orange from Sydney recently to be closer to her husband's family.

"We've been here now for a month and just loving it," she said.

"Having family around us and having some support so I can keep chasing my wild dream and so my little girl gets to have lots of time with her grandparents."

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