Emma puts her improvement down to a boost in confidence
The 30-year-old has made such impressive progress that her prospects for 2010, which include the London Marathon in April, look genuinely exciting.
Even before last weekend's stunning personal best in the Stroud Half- marathon, when she carved almost three minutes off her fastest time to go eighth in the South West rankings, D'Alton had begun to show clear signs of her talent.
"I was really thrilled with my run in Stroud," said D'Alton. "I didn't feel too bad at the end either, so hopefully there is still more to come.
"Robyn (Golding – a Westbury club-mate) called me and asked me what I was doing to improve so much. I've definitely got more confidence and I'm pushing myself harder than in the past. I'm also doing more speed sessions, under the guidance of Chris Elson, and I think that helps.
"I don't consider myself a really serious athlete like Claire Hallissey (Bristol Half-marathon winner and British international), but I do take my training seriously and I train most days, although there are days when if I feel too tired then I'll give it a miss."
While D'Alton only joined Westbury last year, she has a running background having run her first London Marathon in 1999.
"I have always kept myself fit and after doing London in 1999 I also did some mountain marathons," explained D'Alton, who moved to Bristol in 2000 after growing up in Salisbury.
"I have done the Karimoor Mountain Marathon twice, the Lowe Alpine event and also the Three Peaks, so I have a decent background."
In 2006, D'Alton, who had then linked up with Hogweed Trotters, bounced back from a three-year absence due to work commitments with 85min 33secs in the Bristol half, a time that remained her PB until clocking 85:31 in this year's race.
She then improved to 84:12 when winning the Salisbury half two weeks ago, before making a massive improvement with 81:32 to finish fourth and second British woman at Stroud.
"Since Robyn and Tamsin (Elson) persuaded me to join Westbury just before Christmas last year I have not looked back," added D'Alton.
"I'm on a real high at the moment and I honestly feel I can do better."
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