LONDON – Monument resident Jenny Simpson has traveled to England with a lazer-like focus. She’s here to prepare to compete in the Olympic 1,500 meters.

And that’s about it.

Simpson eats breakfast at the Olympic Village, takes a bus to a vigorous daily workout and then returns to her room, where she spends most of the rest of her day in concentrated rest. She sees her husband, Jason, every two or three days.

She will need to be rested this week. She will compete Monday and Wednesday in qualifying rounds for Friday’s final. These will be three of the biggest races of her life.

“You can really prepare your mind for something special,” she said Friday in a rare break from preparation. “This is much more mental than physical, and it’s what has worked for me in the past, sticking to the same routine, having a few essential things to do every day.”

Simpson has told her husband they will someday return to London to see the sights.

“Now, that I’m here,” she said, “I feel that the worst and most difficult part is over and now I have a chance to see how I size up against the world.”

Juli Benson serves as Simpson’s adviser/coach. She’s also coach of Air Force Academy’s cross country team. Benson has been impressed with Simpson’s ability to totally concentrate on her goal for London.

“Her training has been fabulous,” Benson said. “It’s given her a lot of confidence, to be honest. This is where she shines. She’s learned that being bored and having a lot of idle time is fine.”

Simpson competed for the University of Colorado, running 3:59.90 in the 1,500 as a senior for the Buffs in 2009. In 2008, she finished ninth in the Olympic steeplechase at Beijing.

She won the 1,500 at the World Championships in South Korea in September, making her one of the favorites for an Olympic medal. Her victory at the World Championships, she said, eased her burdens.

“I feel I’ve already reached the top,” Simpson said in June. “… And that gives me a little bit of freedom.”

Her victory in South Korea did nothing to drain her immense competitiveness. She spends her days in London preparing for victory.

And that’s about all she does.

Twitter: @davidramzFacebook: davidramsey13