She's a two-time Olympic Games hurdler, but Lauren Wells was jumping for a different reason on Saturday as she contemplates a Commonwealth Games double act.
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Wells was "playing in the sandpit " when she set a long jump personal of 6.44 metres at the Woden Athletics come and try day.
The distance was a Commonwealth Games B qualifier standard, but it is unlikely to be officially recognised because there was only one other female competed.
But it did plant a seed in Wells' mind as she prepares for another hurdles campaign at the Commonwelath Games on the Gold Coast next year.
Wells is a 10-time Australian 400 metre hurdles champion and competed at the London and Rio Olympics.
Her No. 1 focus is chasing a medal at a home Commonwealth Games in less than six months, but long jump could be an added bonus after an unexpected leap.
"I've restarted training after the world championships and I've been doing a little bit in the long-jumping pit, maybe for 15 minutes per week when the rest of the squad is running," Wells said.
"It's like I'm playing in the sandpit, but we figured why not on Saturday. It's been about 10 years since I've actually done a long jump competition.
"So it's been a while, but it's always been something I love doing. I always ask [coach Matt Beckenham] if I can go back to it, but the training isn't similar to hurdle training.
"I finally got my wish to have a bit of a play and I jumped all right, so I'm not sure where we go from here."
Well is ramping up her training after being eliminated in the heats at the world championships in London in August.
Most of her training in Beckenham's squad will consist of speed work until Christmas, when she will start building up her hurdle preparation for the Commonwealth Games.
But the door is slightly ajar for Wells to try a double act in what would be a dream Commonwealth Games if she can manage to juggle hurdles and long jump.
A schedule clash could prevent plans eventuating and Wells hasn't seriously contemplated a long jump campaign. But after beating her personal best, set in 2007 at the world university games, it's on the radar.
"It's a little bit of let's wait and see what happens," Wells said.
"I certainly do love long jump and I love watching and competing in it. We'll see how it pans out in the next couple of months.
"After [the Rio Olympics], the biggest thing was reigniting the flame and passion for the sport. This has been another way I can do that.
"I don't feel the need to hurdle right now. My playtime is in the sand rather than jumping over things, but I will go back to it for sure.
"Being able to run at a home crowd at the Commonwealth Games is pretty hard to pass up. But I do have to be smart and weigh up what my best chances in the Commonwealth are."
