We recently caught up with North-East Olympian and Benfield Nissan ambassador Laura Weightman to find out how the middle distance runner is faring on her Road to Rio

Saying the words ‘I am going to Rio, my second Olympic Games’ is an incredible feeling.

The dream I had since I was a little girl starting athletics at the age of 12 was to go to the Olympic Games so to have achieved that now, not once but twice, is really special.

The past four years since London 2012 have flown by, it’s been an up and down journey, certainly not all going as planned but I feel proud that I can represent Team GB again.

With just over two weeks to go until I will be in Rio, in the stadium for the 1500m heats there is still some work to be done to make sure I am on the start line in the best shape I possibly can be.

I was back up at altitude in the French Pyrenees in Font Romeu doing my final preparations.

It was good to be away on a training camp to do the last few weeks of training leading into a Championship. The days were simple, eat sleep and train. There was plenty of time to relax and recover and no distractions of home life.

This allowed my last few weeks of training to be really focused on the Olympic Games and making sure that every day counts.

I am excited and nervous at the same time, but I can’t wait to get out there put my spikes on and race!

I will have home support in the crowd as some of my family are travelling out to watch me but also know that everyone at home is watching and wishing me good luck.

Mum is getting into full Olympic spirit too. She has a giant Olympic flag wishing me luck hanging from my home house in Northumberland so there’s no missing that!

I’m just really grateful for all the support I get and I hope I can do them proud.

Benfield Nissan are proud to support Laura Weightman on her road to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. To find out more about Nissan’s partnership with Team GB, visit nissan.co.uk/uniteandexcite