English smashes course record in style
In Switzerland she won the 4.2k race in 12mins 50.5secs eight seconds faster than the course record set by the former world 10,000m champion Sally Barsosio of Kenya.
She finished four seconds clear of Helena Javornk of Slovenia (12:54.6), with Analia Rosa of Portugal third in 13:04.5, the double world cross-country champion, Edith Masai of Kenya, fourth (13:14.2) and another Kenyan Susan Kurui was fifth in 13:23.4.
English had already proved she can mix it with the best in the world cross-country championships in Lausanne, where she was the third European across the line in 16th position.
And a week earlier she battled it out with Seloua Ouaziz of Morocco in a 4.7k race in Corrida d'Heillecourt
before losing out by just two seconds.
The Moroccan won in 14:41 to 14:43 for English, with the talented Magdeline Chemjor, one of a number of Kenyan's in the race, third in 14:48.
"I've run over both courses several times but obviously this is the best I have ever run," she said. "Things are coming together quite well now.
"The principal factor obviously, is that I have been injury free and, of course, the other factor is I am enjoying it and that's very important."
The world track and field championships take place in Paris, where English lives, in August.
Her principal goal, however, is next year's Olympic Games in Athens.
"I suppose the primary goal is to enjoy my athletics and right now I am doing just that.
"The next goal is to run as fast as I can. I am in the cycle of preparation for the Olympic Games.
"Ideally, I would like to get the qualifying standard behind me this year and then concentrate on my preparations."
The fact that she has mixed it with the Africans and beaten them has obviously worked wonders for her confidence.
If she maintains her progression she will travel to Athens next year as a contender.
"I am excited right now. The recent races shows that things have evolved at a high level.
"I will just keep working hard and hope to stay injury free. That's the key," she said.
She is spending this week with her husband, Retgis Maignan, on the island of Porquerolles off the south of France and has been training in the National Park there.
"To run well you have got to feel well yourself, then running comes easily," she said.
"I don't go on as many long distance training camps where you have long flights and are away for long periods of time. I won't be going to America this year."
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