Tasha Danvers has endured an 18 months to forget since claiming Olympic bronze – but the Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers star insists a rushed return is the last thing she will be doing in 2010.

Danvers was the surprise package of the Beijing Olympics, climbing the podium in the 400m hurdles, despite being injury-hit in her preparation and failing even to win the GB trials.

But since her Chinese revelation, the 32-year-old has been plagued by injuries, which restricted her to just six competitive appearances in 2009.

And, while quick to admit she is not too far away from rediscovering her Beijing mojo, Danvers has revealed her 2010 race calendar will remain a blank canvas until she is fully fit.

“I am not going to make any decision on what I am going to do this year until I have got myself properly fit and I am running as I want to be,” said Danvers, speaking in her role as an ambassador for the Aviva UKA Academy Awards scheme which aims to make it easier for every child in the UK to get involved in athletics.

“I have ongoing struggles with my shin but everything has been going fairly well lately, so hopefully the plan is to do one of the Grand Prix's and then look to the trials later in the summer.

“But I am definitely not going to be making any plans as to whether I’ll go to the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games until I am running well and I know where I am.

“The Commonwealths are in October this year and people have asked me if they are a bit too late but I don’t think they are and, if I am fit, it’s definitely something to consider.”

Danvers is quick to point out that while her 2010 season has not begun on paper – the hard work has been going on behind the scenes at a warm-weather training camp in San Diego, California.

And, while her relatively low-key start to the season makes her a left-field choice for a medal at the Europeans in August, Danvers believes the hardships of last year could make her one to watch in Barcelona.

“I have definitely learned a lot of lessons on the back of last year because it was really frustrating to miss the World Championships but you can learn from every situation,” added Danvers – who won Commonwealth Games silver in Melbourne in 2006.

“On the back of the Olympics you always want to be out there competing at things like that but you have to do the best with the cards you are dealt and so I have got to move on from that now and hopefully do well this summer.

“There are obviously two chances to get medals at the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games and, while I am not sure what I am doing yet, I am confident if I can get myself fit then I can run well and challenge.”

* The Aviva UKA Academy Awards aim to make it easier for every child in the UK to get involved in our sport, create a healthier nation for more information visit http://www.uka.org.uk/grassroots/academy