GLOUCESTER runner Gemma Turtle admitted she ran out of gas in Doha after crashing out of the 3,000m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships.

The 23-year-old flew out of the traps on her senior Great Britain debut to muscle her way into the automatic qualifying spots heading to the half-way point.

But when Ethiopia's Meseret Defar put her foot down the Gloucester AC runner had no answer and fell off the pace. And after coming home in 9:17.55minutes – over 30 seconds behind Defar – Turtle questioned her own plan of attack.

"I went out to give myself every opportunity, I stayed up there and got myself into the top four because I wanted to give myself a chance but it didn't feel right," she said.

"I must have over exerted myself in trying to take that chance. I've got to go away and work out why it felt so hard and get it right for my main focus in the summer."

Turtle secured her place on the plane to the Middle East after clocking a lifetime best of 8:56.23mins in January and claiming the national title in Sheffield in February.

But after vowing to get straight back into training on her return from Doha, Turtle is confident that together with coach David Farrow she can set things right in her new home in time for the summer season.

"I've got some great support from everyone in Gloucester in the build up to the championships," she added.

"I moved to Gloucester about a year and a half ago to be with him, he's got his own gym and training centre there so it is important for me to be with him. It was a massive step for me but I've had so much support since I've arrived which is great.

"I don't do cross-country so my training programme was always set up for the world indoors.

"But my main target for the summer will be the 10k at the Commonwealth Games."

Aviva has been proud to have helped and supported the Aviva GB & NI junior, senior and disability teams as they prepare for all major events and championships since 1999. Visit www.aviva.co.uk/athletics for more information.