Mockenhaupt says will never forget the 2002 European Championships when Radcliffe scored a memorable 10,000 metres victory in Munich.

"I have a picture on the wall at home of her going past me and when I'm doing strength training or weightlifting, I look at the picture and it gives me motivation," Mockenhaupt said.

Mockenhaupt has re-assessed her career after finishing out of the medals when fourth in last year's Berlin Marathon and is determined to be amongst the challengers for the 2012 London Olympic Games title.

The 30-year-old, 13th at the 2008 Beijing Games, said: "After Berlin I felt I was in a bit of a trough and sat down and thought about what I wanted to do next and get out of running."

Her deliberations saw her switch coaches and already she feels she is benefiting from the new advice being offered to her by Thomas Eickmann, himself a former marathon runner.

"He has a calming effect on me," insisted Mockenhaupt who is planning to regain her Vattenfall Berlin Half Marathon crown tomorrow.

She quickly played down suggestions she could challenge Uta Pippig's German and course record of 67min 58sec but can lower the mark of 68:45 which earned her victory in the German capital two years ago.

"I'm running a lot more and faster. I did my last session on Tuesday night and I feel I'm ready to attack my personal best," added Mockenhaupt, recently returned from a warm weather camp in South Africa.

But she stressed the major target this year is gaining the Olympic qualifying mark in an autumn marathon and earning selection for her national team in London.

"It's all about 2012 - and I hope Paula will also be there," she added.

Mockenhaupt will be fully tested by a trio of African runners, the Ethiopian duo of Fate Tola and Sintayehu Teshome plus Kenya's Valentine Kipketer.

Kiplimo Kimutai is the fastest man in the men's race which, with 17 athletes from Ethiopian and Kenya competing, is wide open.