Eve Muirhead reflects on the year her career was made

I wouldn't want to dance in front of the crowd. I wouldn't mind eating those things on I'm a Celeb.

As the topic of the next chapter of her life comes up, Eve is content. The 32-year-old is a person whose life has been dictated by routine.

Since calling time on her curling career in August, the Scot has enjoyed a chaotic existence, from commentating on the sport as well as golf, playing bagpipes at gala dinners, training for the London Marathon with the help of Steve Cram and even coming third in this year'sbbc sports The new King is interested in throwing stones on a frozen Loch.

It will be a landmark year for Muirhead, who bowed out at the top of her sport by winning an Olympic gold. In Beijing, an obsession and life's dream had been realized.

It could have been so different for the skip who had to step foot on the ice again.

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Every four years, a nation rallies to watch the rink attempt to bring home a gold medal from the Olympics. She was the face of British curling for a long time.

The dream was about as far away as it had ever been. The prospect of having to go through qualification just to get on the plane to China was left by a below-par performance.

She had reached the point of no return.

"After the Worlds, I wanted to quit, but I couldn't," he said.

It was very hard. I would have retired right then. You give yourself a shake, you get the help you need, you speak to the right people, and you think you've still got a chance of getting to the Winter Olympic Games.

Three teams out of 10 got the last three spots at the Olympics and I knew we had one last chance. I didn't feel like that was close to me. I didn't want to put myself through it, it was so far away. It was hard to get over the World Championships.

After getting a lot of help, I pulled myself together. I went back to ice despite not being well. I knuckled down and concentrated on myself.

I proved that I was good enough to go to the Worlds with a different team, and we won the event, followed by winning the Europeans.

'I'd never thought about gold as an obsession, but it probably was'

If for a less-turbulent build-up, the rink would have been checked on the flight to Beijing, but they didn't. A belief that "something special" could happen is what the Scots talk about.

Muirhead scored four in the seventh end to seal the gold medal for the Scots as they beat Japan 10-3 in the gold medal match.

"I'd never really thought about it as an obsession, but it probably was," said Muirhead, who had hip surgery to make her fourth Olympics.

Once you get the bronze, you just want the gold. Others are getting them.

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She said she had about six hours of sleep after returning from Beijing. I was tired.

I couldn't wait to go to the party because I was about 10 steps from my bed. You don't know who they are, but they know who you are.

Marathons and the future are life-changing decisions.

The decision to call time on her illustrious career, which included gold at the Olympics, World Championships, European doubles, World Mixed Doubles and three times at the Europeans, was difficult as well as swift.

She didn't think about finishing after Beijing. It was difficult to get to Beijing for my fourth Olympics. I didn't think about a time limit or when I would finish.

The weeks and months passed and, as the curling season came closer, one day I woke up and said I just can't anymore. I wouldn't do anything half hearted if I were to get up and throw more stones and put in the same amount of time as I have always done.

I made a decision that morning. I have decided to stop wearing shoes.

I talked to my family and friends for a second opinion. I had no idea.

It helped when I heard that this is possibly the best time with the support.

There seems to be little sign that life is slowing down after the gold price goes down. That is how she wants it.

She received an award from Prince Charles in the summer while taking on different roles in the media.

King Charles is a big fan of curling. I met him a few weeks ago at a reception at Buckingham Palace and he loves talking about curling and the cold weather in Scotland. She admitted a stint on Dancing On Ice doesn't appeal as she cannot skate.

It will take a few years to transition from being a full-time elite athlete to a part-time one.

I like to keep up with what's going on. I'm going to the London Marathon in April and I want to set myself a goal. Steve is writing a programme for me. I need something to build towards, even though people think I'm crazy.

I am enjoying life right now. Since I've been an athlete my only experience has been school and being a full time curler. I feel a lot more free now. There is a world out there and I am exploring it.