AFTER clinching his third TAC Wheelchair Athletes' Challenge title, Richard Colman revealed he has a new lease on life.
Colman is one of the headline acts of the 2013 Great Ocean Road Real Estate International Marathon Festival, which kicked off today with four events.
Colman admitted he was obsessive leading up to last year's Paralympic Games. He was so strict with his diet, he avoided alcohol and all junk food.
While it earned him 800m gold, he has a more relaxed attitude this year, which has helped him cope with an intense schedule as he has added marathons to his resume.
"Last year was my hardest year in sport," he said.
"After the Games I was unsure what I wanted to do, whether I wanted to stay in sport.
"But I realised there were a lot of things I haven't done yet.
"I would really like to win a major international marathon."
He is on his way to doing so, notching up top-10 finishes in the L.A, London and Seoul Marathons in the past two months.
Thanks to the TAC, he will add the 2013 Singapore Marathon to that list as part of today's prize.
His next major event is the World Championships in July in France, where he will contest the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and marathon. It is a daunting schedule but the jetsetter is thriving off the increased competition.
"Today was my 17th race this year," he said.
"I'm pushing better than I ever have . . . and I'm really enjoying myself this year."
