JESSICA JUDD was disappointed to finish second in her quest for a national title in Birmingham last week – but the Chelmsford AC runner still did enough to earn a spot at the World Championships in Moscow next month.
Judd won silver at the Sainsbury's British Championships in Birmingham as Marilyn Okoro ran a tactically more astute race to take 800m gold.
The 18-year-old will now look to the European Junior Championships in Rieti this weekend, where she'll seek to upgrade her world 800m silver from 2012.
And, after a season that has seen her win her first Diamond League race – the Sainsbury's Grand Prix in Birmingham – the European team title and carve more than a second off her personal best, she has been named on Britain's Moscow-bound World Championship team.
But such is the pace of Judd's progress this season, she admitted being beaten by experienced major championship performer Okoro was still a big blow.
"The race didn't really go how I wanted it to. I never really felt good or in control, which for me was a bit of a bummer straight away," she said.
"The first lap was slower than I thought and as soon as I saw it was over 60 seconds I knew Marilyn had got it, I worked my socks off down the back straight but it just wasn't enough.
"I am really happy to come second but I am disappointed at the same time because I go into every race to win. I guess everyone has to have one bad run but I am devastated it was the final.
"I have done enough to get selected for Moscow and before that I am looking forward to Rieti."
Judd – a national bronze medallist 12 months ago – left the Alexander Stadium with strapping on her calf and admitted the untimely injury also impacted on her preparations for a medal upgrade.
"I had a bit of a calf problem which is a totally new experience for me," she added.
"I felt like I had a tight calf and it is a tendon in my Achilles that is inflamed.
"I've been taking tablets and icing but unfortunately it wasn't enough. But it should be fine.
"I had never had that before and it is probably nothing serious but mentally it is quite hard to get around. I felt upset before the race and extra nervous and that nervous energy cost me a win."
Sainsbury's British Championships is the second event in the Sainsbury's Summer Series. For more information on Sainsbury's support of world class athletics and disability sport go to www.sainsburys-live-well-for-less.co.uk/occasions/anniversary-games/