Dominique Scott-Efurd is not afraid to travel.
After missing the South African 5000m qualifying criteria by a whisker (read: one second) at the Stanford Invitational on 1 April, the Cape Town-born and US-based Scott-Erfurd made the decision to return to home shores a fortnight later.
The reason?
Another shot at satisfying SASCOC selection times by achieving an Olympic "A" standard qualifying time at the South African Track and Field Championships at Coetzenberg, Stellenbosch.
But as any rational thinking athlete knows, plans are bound to change owing to many factors, practicality being to the fore.
"I've decided to compete in the 1500m," said Scott-Efurd from her parent's home in Cape Town on Thursday. "The competition is just better in that event and I simply need to be present and compete in order to be considered for selection.
"After this weekend I will return to the US to complete my last collegiate season and chase the Olympic standards in the 1500m, 5000m and 10000m."
Distance and event changes aside, the road to Rio is not always straightforward, often depending on last-minute decisions, adjustments and even inter-continental travel.
An ensuing photo-journal follows of the past two weeks leading up to Scott's weekend at Coetzenberg:
1 April 2016: Full Gas at the Stanford Invitational. Dominique Scott-Efurd sprinting down the home straight in the colours of University of Arkansas.
An April Fool's Joke? Not so. Unfortunately the stopwatch does not lie. Misses Olympic "A" standard by one second. Yes - one single second.
2 April 2016: Meanwhile in Cape Town, South Africa the "bush-telegraph" is working overtime. After rushing in from directing the local Park Run, mom Renee Scott (seated sixth from left) spills the beans to fellow past-triathletes at a reunion the next morning. "I'm not sure if Dom will the trip out to Coetzenberg - it could disrupt her track season. But you never know."
Triathlon reunion?
Spot Renee (clue: seated second left) along with other reunion attendees Greg Liefeldt and Tim Stewart at Gordon's Bay, circa January 1990.
9 April 2016: A day after announcing that she will indeed make the trip, Scott-Efurd is running long. "Money in the bank," she says. Arthur Lydiard would have been proud.
10 April 2016: Green Mamba (read: SA Passport) in hand, the long journey home begins. An open seat in "cattle class" enters the fray. Synchronicity some might say, but then athletes really do need space, especially leg room. A rare occurrence indeed although it is sponsored on occasion. Just ask former pro-cyclist cyclist Mark Blewett.
13 April 2016: Home straight. If it is Wednesday it must be Green Point Track. Adjusted focus to the intensity of the middle distance means some pickups. In the sun of course.
14 April 2016: "The competition is better in the 1500m."
Heats at 2pm Friday and final on Saturday late afternoon.
Late afternoon Saturday?
Rugby or athletics I ask you?
Keep an eye on All Athletics and @domscottrunSA.
