European Junior Cup race, Quateira, Portugal

The first race of the season finally arrived and oh my did it come around quickly. I flew out to Portugal  on Thursday the 19th the race was on Sunday the 22^nd of March. I flew out from East Midlands airport with Olivia Mathias and a few others from the GB team, which was really relaxing.

Once we got out there we unpacked our bike boxes, and put our bikes together again. We then went on a ride to ensure all was good and also to have a first little look at the bike course. That particular day it was really rainy and wet, but luckily for the race it was dry. The course was nice, with technical bits, a hill and 4 hair pins per lap, but this was good as long as you took it well.

We then rode to where Head coach Rick Velati and Physio Lyndsey Townsend were staying to get a massage, which was really great and help with the preparation of the race.

The Friday was the day of familiarization's, so at 10am we had the bike recce in which we got in 2 laps of the bike course, which was helpful. Then at 11am we got to do a swim recce. I had forgotten over the winter how really cold open water is and the numbing sensation that occurs in your face, hands and toes, but all at the same time I had really missed it. We practiced many beach starts and let’s just say I wasn't the best, but I think I got it on the day so that’s all the counts.

We also had a really gently run on the Friday also, with drills and a really gently loop around the run course. The run was nice, but as soon as the ground was wet it got really slippery, so this was something to watch out for.

The day before our race was the day of the seniors race, in the morning the GB guys managed to get pool time so most of us went for an easy swim and then had a great day watching the other races. It was interesting to watch how the more experienced guys were racing and get feedback off them in order to help our performance.

Race day: Liv and I were sharing a room and we got up at 6.15am on the Sunday, as our race was at 8.45am. We got breakfast quickly and headed out for a gentle walk for some fresh air. Once we got to the room we grabbed our bikes and bags and went to sign in at the athletes lounge area, where we got numbered up and photos taken of our trisuits. We then went to set up transition and we had a quick run through of the ins and outs and then we were good to go. Both Liv and I done a swim warm up just o get a feel for the water and get really warmed up for the race ahead. I was really pleased we did because we found that the tide was A LOT lower that the other day, so whilst before we could dive before we hit the water, if we did that in the race (which some people did)  we would get a face full of sand.

The heart beat came around quickly, (after having to wait for all of the numbers to be called out before me, as I was 49, and then the few after me, to around 60). Once the horn went off it was quick a manic start, with people sprinting roughly 50m for the sea. I was really happy with my swim, I struggled to start trying to find clean water and get through but before the first buoy I found myself at the front, with it being 3 wide. I was lucky enough to get the inside/left, as the 4/5 buoys were left turns, so I had a slight advantage here. The last was a right turn, but I managed to worm my way across and find a good line which got me out of the water in the top 5, including the fact I fell flat on my face as I tried to exit the water. I was very pleased with my swim and I felt really powerful yet flexible in my Zone 3 vanquish wetsuit. I feel I had a fast transition with a little hiccup at the mount, (my feet were so cold I couldn't find my shoes). I managed to grab the front back and then we worked well together. The hill was tough but I feel that I flew up it thanks to the wheels Copy IT digital sponsored for me. It was really important to try and get to the front of the pack at the hair pins, so you didn't have to sprint out of them. Although everyone had this idea so every turn there was a sprint into, trying to be at the front. I found it really important to keep having little sips of my drink on the bike. I chose to use the H2Pro precision hydration 1500 strength, I find this really does help me stay hydrated well and also give me a great performance. At the end of the bike, there was still a good 15-20 in the front pack and I got a little bit pushed to the back going into transition, but I had a good transition, even though my feet were still numb.

I felt strong on the first lap of the run, holding a strong form and running stride for stride with Meg and Liv, but on the 2^nd lap of 2, Liv

managed to make a break as an Italian girl ran past and I just didn't have it in my legs to go with her. Meg and I then ran most of the way until I managed a last little sprint just to get the edge on her, but all the GB girls had a great performance.

I was really pleased with 15^th in my first European Junior Cup race and with 3^rd girl from GB.

I know running is the discipline I need to work on but this gave me confidence and a really good opportunity to get the speed endurance back into my legs before an important race coming up in a couple of months.

I had a massage today with Carl Goose, in order to prepare me for the British Duathlon Champs this weekend and I am really excited to race my first event in the British elite Junior Super series. 

Another thanks to Team sportsaid and Bank of New York Mellon on the support this season and enabling athletes just like me to get these amazing international and unique experiences to be BRILLIANT.

SportsAid award

Michael Cole-Fontayn presenting me with my sportsaid award

Tuesday 3rd of March, my family and I took a journey down to Queen Victoria Street, London in the heart of the financial capital for the launch event of the SportsAid partnership with Bank of New York Mellon and Newton. I was so lovely driving through London, passing by all of the iconic British landmarks.It was a really lovely evening with talks from Michael Cole-Fontayn, BNY Mellon's EMEA chairman and also SportsAid's chief executive Tim Lawler. It was very interesting getting to meet some of the best athletes in the country in various sports and also some of the best young sportspeople in the world currently. Hearing other athletes talk about their sporting experiences as well really motivational and really psyched me up for the season ahead.

It is such a privilege to be recognized by such a great cause for all of the hard work I have put in throughout the years. It will be really useful having the funding to help through the season and it will really enable me to get the most out of my first year being a junior and beyond. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event such a great success, including sportsaid athlete liaison Grace Hughes, who has helped through the process from the beginning.

February 2015

Running at Anglian schools cross country championships

My first important date in February was Anglian schools cross country championships In Ipswich. I was quite nervous going into this race but at the same time I felt ready and excited to race. I decided not to wear spikes, due to a slight niggle in my knee, but this worked pretty well as there was quite a lot of path next to narrow grass tracks, so I felt as if I really got an advantage here. I was so pleased to come away with 7^th in the end and I felt as if I ran really well for this early in the season.

The next weekend on the Saturday I had Norfolk Long distance county swimming championships at the UEA, where I was racing the 800m freestyle. I was quite anxious going into the race because the last time I had raced it, at winter Regionals; I had not performed as well as I was hoping too. I had had some really strong swims in training going into the competition and I felt really well prepared. I always like to use my H2pro 1500 strengths on race day as I feel this is best to keep me as hydrated as possible, because sitting on poolside for the 10 heats before me (about 1h 30mins) can really cause dehydration, so these were brilliant.  I was really happy with my swim and was just off my PB, but my coach says I was on it all the way until the last 50m, but that should come as I build up to race ready for the triathlon season. I took the Norfolk county champ title. This was a pleasing result and gave me lots of confidence back again.

In the February half term I had a training camp with the Eastern Region Academy at Culford School in Bury St Edmonds.  This was such a lovely camp and we all managed to get some serious training in just before the start of the season. It was such a good atmosphere within the camp, with everyone getting on so well and everybody joining in. Because we were away for Pancake Day, we got to make some in the kitchen at the accommodation.  Let’s just say, I’m probably not the best person to ask if you want to flip a pancake, but it was fun never the less.

January 2015.. New Year, fresh start

Nothing better to kick off a new year than with a tough and cold 10km in Wymondham. The race was one I’ve done before and really enjoyed so I couldn’t wait to do it again. The course was just one big loop, which I find much more interesting and enjoyable, and it was quite flat, although some parts were on the road between open fields and the wind was immense. My brother was just coming back from injury and still wasn’t 100% so he took it “easy” and ran with me whilst I was giving it my all, although he was kind enough to be my wind block for some of it. I had been ill the previous week and thought I had recovered, but my body was still not fully ready to race and I could feel this after the 3^rd mile. I was struggling but the aim was just to finish and get a solid training run in. I was just over a minute off my time from last year, which was slightly disappointing, but you can’t have a good run every time and it’s something that’s going to happen, so you just have to move on and look to the next race.

On January the 17^th I was happily invited along to the Norwich v Cardiff game by my sponsors, Copy IT. We had a lovely 3 course meal before hand and had comfy seats inside to watch the game, away from the cold. It was such a lovely experience and it was topped off by a Norwich win!! C’mon you Yellows!

Me running at Brighton

The following weekend I had the South of England intercounties cross country. I was really excited the previous week as I had been to Brighton before and really enjoyed the course. The journey to Brighton was long and boring, especially not having my brother there in the back of the car with me now he’s at university. I didn’t have the best of races, but it did make me realise a change was needed. I talked to another coach from CONAC and they have a group which specialise in 5km road running, which sounded perfect for me. My new coach Jane Clarke is really great and really committed to her running as well as mine; this could be because she has represented GBR before. I’m really looking forward to what to future has to hold.

The following Wednesday I had Norfolk schools cross country championships. I was quite nervous for this as I really didn’t know what to expect. After a few minutes into the race I felt quite relaxed and comfortable. There was a group of 3 of us running together and I made sure I took advantage of this when running into the wind. After 2 laps of the 3, only 2 of us were left at the front. It came down to the last 300m but I managed to just push that little bit more and get the win. I was really pleased with this result after being a bit put down the past weekend.

After this race it was really great to go and see Carl Goose for a great massage to get rid of all the aches and pains from the hard week just been. Thanks Carl. 

November and December 2014

At the beginning of November I had the national cross country relays. This was a really great event and I feel as if I had a really good race myself and CONAC had a really great team performance in every age group. The day after this I had a lab testing day at Loughborough as part of the England talent squad. It was a fantastic experience and really interesting to read through the results and outcomes of the day. It was a really tough day though as we had to do roughly 5-8 reps of 4minute on the treadmill and then also a max VO2 test were we just had to run until we couldn’t anymore. It was a really fun day and it was lovely to have the other members of the squad cheering you on.

In November I also attended Norfolk sports awards which were held at the forum, Norwich. This was a really exciting event as the best sports people from all over Norfolk were there to celebrate the success of the year and it was an honour to be a part of it. I was shortlisted for the Young sports achiever award, along with 3 others. Unfortunately I did not win but the competition was strong and some great athletes were in the field.

The following weekend was another eastern region academy session. This was an exciting day and we got some really good coaching tips for things we can do on the turbo over the winter for when it is too cold and wet to go out on the roads.

In November we also had the England talent squad launch weekend, which was a really great couple of days. It was held in Loughborough and we got some really decent training done and also got to bond as a team as well.

The first weekend of December was the winter regional swimming championships which took place in Luton, here I only took part in the 800m free which was long course. I came 3^rd and the time wasn’t what I was hoping for, but then again it is only very early in the season so it was really good place to start.

I had my celebration evening for my high school GCSE’s during December, which was when I got presented my GCSE certificates and also I won the Head teachers cup for PE, which was a really lovely  achievement.

Saturday the 6^th of December was the Norfolk County cross country championships. I feel as if I had a strong race, it was quite far, 6.3km, and I feel I held a good pace and strong form throughout which is very important to me at this time of year. I was really pleased to take the win and also first team. I haven’t had the confirmation yet but first across the line gains the spot, so I have the opportunity to run in the mini London Marathon in 2015.

Before I flew out to Portugal for the training camp, I got a great massage off Carl Goose of Carl Goose sports therapy, which got me feeling really fresh and prepared for a really hard weeks training.

Saturday the 13^th of December was the first day of the England talent squad training camp in Portugal. We stayed in a big town called Rio Maior which had a great training complex within.

 It had a lovely track which looked like a coliseum and a fabulous 50m swimming pool which we trained in as well as a diving pool outside and another 25m pool. It was a really tough 8 days training out there but the sights were great and the cycle routes were so amazing, very tough, but still very amazing. I had such a great time and everyone got on so well. I can’t wait until the next ETS camp.

October 2014

The first weekend of the month I took part in the Birmingham road relays. I was on first leg for the City of Norwich running club A team girls in the U17's. It was a down hill start and I got caught up at the very back but slowly managed to make my way through during the first, long and steady up hill. There was a breakaway pack of about 10 girls which I tried to get on the back of despite there being a roughly 20 m gap. But once I made the strong push to get the pack it was a lot easier. I managed to finish my leg in 9th, which I was very please with, even though my time was just shy of the time I posted last year. Over all my team finished 15th, which we were very happy with, as this was out of the best teams in the country. Well done to my team mates Amy Clarke and Lauren Howe, who also had great runs.

The next weekend was Arena League. These are 

always such great events as they have such a 

great team spirit and excitement involved within. I was competing for City of Norwich swimming club A team. I had the individual 200m IM and 100m Backstroke and I was also in the 6x50m free relay at the end. I was really happy with my swims here as I got a 2 second PB on the 200m IM and I was only just off my 100m back PB which I had only just got at club champs a few weeks back. CONSC won the round and we are now really looking forward to the next round.

Friday the 24th of October I got the pleasure to attend Thorpe Lodge council chamber for the Broadland Sports Awards 2014. I won the Young Sports Achiever Award, which was sponsored by The Norwich city FC community Sports Foundation and I also got it presented to me by the very inspiring Danny Nobbs, paralympic athlete and the men from the community sports foundation Daniel Wynne and Stevie Bramble. Thank you all for a great night. 

From Left to right: Me, Danny Nobbs, Daniel Wynne. 

This weekend was also the first Eastern region academy day of the new academic year. It was so nice to meet all the new guys joining the academy for the first time this year and also lovely to catch up with the veterans of the squad. We had a long drills and running form session followed by a talk by head coach Tim Williams and a solid 1 hour strength and core session. 

That's all for October, just having some decent base training now and will update you all in November.

Club champs

Since the end of the season I haven’t done much, it’s been nice to relax and recover after very tough and long season. I have done trials for the Eastern region and England talent squad and actually found out today that I have got into the England Talent squad. So it’s a good Weekend already.

Last week was UEA city of Norwich swimming club championships. I did 11 races, in which I won 9 and came 2^nd in 2. So all in all it has been a very good couple of weeks. For these races I used my H2pro precision hydration 1500 strength hydration tablets and they helped me so much to perform at my best and even get some big Pb's early in the season! 

Tuesday I had my first meeting with a nutritionist, Ollie Matthews from Body catchers. Even though it was just our first chat, I have learnt so much more already and been told things I can already improve on with my diet.

Wednesday I had a massage with Carl Goose and I am now feeling so much better and refreshed. I am now ready to get into hard winter training. First thing I am doing is the national road relays this weekend in Birmingham. This should be a really good event. I loved it last year and hoping that my team of City of Norwich girls and I can have a really good performance a decent result to show for it.