Geneviève Lalonde chases a steeplechase medal at Pan Am Games

Geneviève Lalonde competed on her home turf in Moncton in 2010 at the International Amateur Athletics Federation world junior track championships.

Now, she's getting the chance to compete on the international stage again, this time at the Pan Am Games. 

"To be able to do it again is like every athlete's dream. You only get a certain amount of times to compete on home turf, so that's pretty cool," said Lalonde.  

Lalonde will be competing in the 3,000-metre steeplechase at the games. 

"Often times people are like, 'Oh what is that?' And you're like, It's kind of like human horse racing. You run and you jump over things and there's a water pit," said Lalonde.

But steeplechase wasn't always her event.

She originally ran the 1,500 metre, but since she was being trained by Joel Bourgeois, she would get practice the hurdles from time to time.

Bourgeois, like Lalonde, is from Moncton.

He won a gold medal in steeplechase at the 1999 Pan Am Games when they were held in Winnipeg.  

So when Lalonde said she wanted to compete in two different events, Bourgeois suggested steeplechase and it stuck.

"It's definitely not for everyone, but for those who like it, they definitely really enjoy it," said Lalonde.  

Lalonde said she is looking forward to competing, but says usually the Pan Am Games aren't such a big deal. 

"Typically, the Pan Am Games aren't really heard of. I mean, they happen every couple of years but it's not really a big thing," said Lalonde.

"But this year being in Toronto, it's been really big, so it's pretty exciting, especially since now a lot of people know what you're doing and get to be a part of these big championships."

Lalonde will compete near the end of the games on July 24.

After that, she has her sights set on the 2016 Olympics.

If she comes in the top three at the qualifying championships, she will be have to start getting ready for Rio.