"It would be hard to go from that level to go back down again...

"I have not won the Commonwealth Games and I think that would be lovely to do, but it is a weird feeling that I cannot imagine not doing the heptathlon.

"I feel like I have a little bit more to do; it would be great to break the 7,000-points barrier. At the moment I am just enjoying it and not quite sure what the future will hold."

The next Commonwealth Games take place in Glasgow in 2014 and Ennis appreciates that the heptathlon is likely to take its toll on her body over time.

"I think most heptathletes get to a point where the body goes and they start picking up a lot of injuries. But until I get to that stage I will just keep pushing it and pushing it," she said.

At that point, the hurdles could provide her with a means to prolong her career.

"I think that (hurdles) is something I will ultimately do in the future, but I am not sure when. I think I have to give it a proper go first and see if I am going to be good enough."