Teddington’s Jo Pavey plans to resume her athletics career – having become a mum for the first time – by running her first marathon.

Pavey, who gave birth to baby boy Jacob last September, is eyeing a possible appearance in New York in November, with a view to competing over the distance at the London 2012 Olympics.

“I don’t think that 36 is too old to start back,” said Pavey, who trains regularly in Bushy Park.

“My plan is to run a marathon this year.

“Having a new event to think about at this stage of my career keeps it exciting for me and definitely gives me a lot of motivation.”

Pavey has taken inspiration from Romania’s Constantina Dita, who won the 2008 Olympics marathon at the age of 38.

Pavey added: “I have heard that having a baby can make you stronger.

“I think the missed training and fitness lost from being pregnant probably cancels out any benefits.

“I started to do a bit of light training five weeks after having Jacob.

“Hard training was delayed due to having a caesarean section, but I am gradually increasing my training load.

“I am running 70 to 80 miles a week and I feel renewed motivation as I am so enjoying being a mum.

“It means I have to be more organised but I feel happier with my running as my life now feels more complete.”

Pavey had planned to run last year’s London Marathon, but scrapped the idea because of her pregnancy.

She was fourth woman in her only race of the year – the Windsor Asthma 10km.

Her first major race this year will be the BUPA Great Manchester Run on May 6. Having come fifth and fourth in the past two European Championships over 5,000m, she is likely to choose the 10,000m – at which she was fourth at the 2007 World Championships – for the Europeans in Barcelona later this year.

“I would also like to try to improve my times on the track this summer, particularly over 10,000m,” she said.