HOLLAND- European youth relay champs

Well this was it, the biggest race of my life so far!
I was so nervous. Luckily we went over to Holland on the Monday so we could recover from the 8 hour journey to Holland by race day (Thursday). The week went really nicely. we done some gentle tapered training whilst we were out there which was helpful.
When race day came I can honesty say I think I was the most nervous one there; I was going first in the relay, which I think didn't help calm the nerves but in the end I enjoyed going first.
The race went well to an extent; I had a great swim, coming out second to a french girl. the swim was great because we got to do a pontoon dive start which is something I have never done before, so that was a nice change. Once out of the swim, and on to the bike, there was a massive pack of us all together, including the other GBR team 1st leg, Grace Cook. Off the bike we were all together. I didn't realize at the time but I forgot to put my helmet in the box, which got my team a 10 second time penalty. On the run I ran my hardest knowing that we had the TP. I then handed over to Leah Peploe, who had a great leg and who then handed over to Elisabeth Hood. Liz, like Leah, had a great leg but had to endure the time penalty whilst out on the run, but overall we finished 4th, 20 seconds behind 3rd, which was the other GBR team. I felt awful afterwards for getting the time penalty but I just took the positives out of the race in the end. Overall it was a great experience and I will now ALWAYS remember to put my Helmet in the box!!!!!!

MY FIRST GB CALL UP

Well, its been a while and I've been very busy.
Lets go back to the first race this year! Loughborough duathlon. The first race in the youth super series. Its my first year in this age group and gosh I was nervous. I don't/ didn't like the running at this point but I tried my hardest and managed to grab 6th place. I was very pleased with this result and hoped to keep around there all season.
Next race up was the Triathlon at Eton, Dorney Lake. It was a scorching day and the adrenaline was pumping. I was more nervous for this than Loughborough as It was the European youth relay qualifier race. I knew there was some great athletes there and I would have to work really hard but it was something I was willing to do!!! Once the swim was over and we went out onto the bike I was 2nd. Once on the bike we were working hard trying to drop people as far as possible as we knew who the great runners were. There were 2 crashes on the bike and luckily I was not near the first but the second I managed just to swerve around!! On the run at one point I was in 3rd and then one of the amazing runners flew past and went on to finish second. Overall I managed to hold onto 4th, which would have meant travelling reserve although there were many appeals from crashes and what not. We didn't think I would be anywhere close to qualifying so this was a massive surprise. The week went by and we were hopeful ( but not expecting) an email about being in the team. Monday-no email. Tuesday-No email. Wednesday-no email. By then we had given up all hope and I can even remember my mum saying " You'll get in next year". Thursday was a normal day. I went to school, followed by running. I got out the shower and heard mum and dad frantically calling me down. There it was. The email!!!!
This year they were taking 2 girls teams. Until the race we didn't know the teams. HOLLAND. I was going to Holland. I was so excited. But I had to calm down and focus on training as the following week I had Blenheim palace triathlon.
Here again was the top triathletes in the country. This was such a beautiful and massive venue, I had to do it justice. I went out looking forward to the race and to try again come in the top 6. I raced hard all the way and there was a breakaway pack of 4 of us on the bike and as I have a weaker run, I finished 4th, just and I can see that my running has improved by the time difference this year from last year.

So now in the super series I am currently ranked 3rd after Blenheim. Hopefully by the end of the season I won't have slipped out of the top 5!!
 So all in all going well and staying uninjured, healthy and fresh.
I will update you with a whole blog all about HOLLAND!!!!!!!