The two-time European champion Gesa Krause was disappointed after her first race of the season over 3000 meters obstacle and hopes for improvement until the World Championships in Athletics in two weeks.
At the Diamond League meeting on Thursday evening in Stockholm, Krause only finished eighth in 9:44.44 minutes.
"That's a little slap in the face," said the 2019 World Cup third in an interview with the Sky TV channel.
"These are not the times I train for," added the 29-year-old Olympia fifth.
Her personal best is 9:03.30 minutes.
Krause had been suffering from a bad cold for two weeks.
That's why she didn't start at the German Championships in Berlin last weekend.
Krause before WM and EM
"I hope that I'll regain my strength quickly," said Krause and was at least happy to have contested a race this season.
"It's a shame that I can't repeat the results I've shown in training.
I hope that's still slumbering in me," she said.
From Krause's point of view, the World Championships in Eugene, USA, which begin on July 15, come very early for her.
"As fast as it can go downhill, it can go uphill again," she said.
Another highlight of the season will be the home European Championships starting August 15 in Munich.
"I want to be the Gesa that you know," emphasized Krause.
The German Athletics Association will announce its squad for the World Championships this Friday.