ABBERLEY’S Alice Wright vowed to bounce back in style after finding her European Youth Olympic Festival outing tough going in Turkey.

The 17-year-old took part in the 3,000m in Trabzon’s Sogutlu Athletics Stadium and the sweltering heat took its toll as she struggled to get out of the blocks.

Despite finding her feet during the latter stages of the race, the Worcester Athletic Club starlet couldn’t fight her way back up the group, finishing eighth in 10 minutes 17.02 seconds.

Her time was nearly 40 seconds off her personal best, set just last month at the Watford Open, but Wright is adamant it wasn’t all doom and gloom by the Black Sea.

She said: “It was really hot — I could hardly breathe for the first two laps. That made the start very difficult and I had a lot of ground to make up.

“It was such a shock at first, but it gradually got better during the race. By that time, though, I had too much to do and I ended up in no man’s land at the end.

“The race was very fast and I was up against some of the best in my age group from across Europe, so it was an eye-opener.

“But the whole experience was a real learning curve and, although I wish I had done a bit better, I am still really pleased I went out there and took part.

“I am a little disappointed with the end result, but I can take away plenty of things that I can work on and hopefully come back better for it.”

Wright’s preparation for Turkey was far from ideal, seeing a foot injury take hold and force her to settle for English Schools silver at the beginning of the month.

With her problem still not 100 per cent healed, the King’s School Worcester pupil admits she may have to bide her time before coming back with a bang.

“Although this experience was tough, I definitely know it will aid me in the future, so I am looking forward to another crack at it,” she added.

“I think I might rest for a while because of my injury as it hasn’t got a lot better even though the Team GB physios have been great.

“I might have to miss the English Championships next month because of it, but hopefully I can be back in time for the September UK School Games and bounce back there.”

Lloyds TSB is a proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and official supporter of Team GB at the European Youth Olympic Festival. Visit lloydstsb.com/london 2012