April 2015

April saw the first England Talent squad camp of 2015, being held at Welbeck Defence College near Loughborough. The week was really good, starting with just the 10 England talent squad members, then slowly more people arriving during the week. The training was really good and I felt really strong on both the swim and the bike. During that week I had a bit of a niggle on the side of my foot. Lyndsey the physio there wasn't quite sure what it was as it was in a quite unusual place. It got less painful during the week so it was probably just a pull. I found it so hard to have to stop and not do some of the training as it is something I haven't had to do before, but I know that it is really important to listen to your body and know when the time to give in is. At the end of the week was the time trails. On the Saturday we had an 800m swim and on the Sunday we had a 20km bike to a 5km run. I was really happy with my swim, posting the fastest girls time and quite a big gap between second. Although this was good, it meant that on Sunday I would have to go out on the bike on my own, meaning a hard few laps, especially because it was one of the windiest days ever (only the duathlon/10km was windier). I rode about 3-4 laps until the girls behind caught me, which there was 4 of. They were probably the hardest 4 laps of the race. I felt the pace had slowed up a lot since they caught me so I kept trying to work hard. The side wind around the bottom of the course was horrendous so I made sure everyone was drafting to the slight right of the riders wheel in front, to help us stay ahead of the behind groups. I felt strong on the bike, but as soon as I got off my legs were non-existent. I had done so much work on the bike that I had nothing left. In the end I finished 4th overall, so I was still really happy.

The mini London Marathon was also in April. This is one of my favorite races, because the crowds, atmosphere and scenery is break taking, along with the running. We went down in regions the day before and stayed over at Royal Holloway College, so there was so many people there. I felt as if I had a really strong run, running around 30 seconds faster than I had 2 years ago. It's weird because 2 years ago I knew absolutely no one going to the race, but this year I basically bumped into someone I knew every 5 minutes. It was a really great environment to prepare in, with everyone being really excited and motivated to do well. We had a lovely time walking around London afterwards and we managed to watch lots of the Marathon in a really good place.

Easter Meet 2015

Alex Pinniger and I

I always really enjoy and swim well at Easter meet, probably because its a home meet and a large part of the enjoyment is probably the Easter eggs up for grabs, which is always a great motivator.
My first race was 200m Backstroke, even though I never train backstroke, I always really love racing in this event. I was just hoping for a decent time, because I know that I had done little work on it due to focusing on freestyle for my triathlons. But when I came away with a 2 min 23 seconds and a 2nd, I was really chuffed. I was just off my PB but I exceeded my expectations in this event.
I then got the chance to go home for a while and relax before the 800m freestyle which wasn't until late afternoon, so just to fill the time I managed to fit in 2 of the hunger games films, so really good relaxing happened.
I then got back and did warm up, and my race was first after so I had to get ready pretty quickly. I was quite excited about racing this because this is my favorite race to participate in and I was feeling pretty strong.
When we first set off, the girl next to me went out really quickly and I needed to stick with her to stay in a good position, but after 200m she dropped off a lot and then there was just 2 of us at the front. I felt really in control of the race and I had been working especially hard on my turns as this is something that had let me down previously (triathlons are open water so no need to worry about them too much). After 500m I found myself a little bit in the lead, having 1 or 2 seconds over the other girls. I felt strong still and continued to pick the pace up. By the last 100m I had about 5 seconds over the rest of the field and I managed to hold this into the finish. My time was good, but just off my PB, so I was pretty happy about the swim, although I couldn't help but be slightly disappointed with the time as my coach, Alex, said I was on for a PB up until the last 100m.

Andy Gibb and I,

The next day I just had my 400m freestyle in the morning. I didn't do warm up because my race was the last heat of the last event in that session and it was more beneficial to get an extra hour in bed. I was looking forward to this as it had been a while since I had done a 400m and my 800m split looked really promising for a PB in this. I went out quick, but I was still in roughly 2nd or 3rd on the hips of the girl next to me. I managed to keep with her and now I had confirmed a 2nd place. I was still on her hips going into the last 100m and this is where I really tried to put everything into in. I made up a little ground on the first 50m but then on the last 50m I really gave it my all and was so close to getting her, but unfortunately  she just touched me out, but I still got a 2 second PB so I was really happy, and  silver medal to go with it.
After this race I met up with my Bank of New York Mellon and SportsAid buddy, Andy Gibb, for the first time. It was great to have a chat and lovely to meet him and talk about the things we might be doing this year.
The last day of racing was Sunday, I had 2 more races, 200m freestyle and 400m IM.
The 200m wasn't great, I can never seem to get into a 200m, and by the time I do its the finish. But I still did a decent time and managed to get 4th place here.
Then I got to go home for a little bit again, where I had lunch and relaxed by playing Mario Kart on the Wii with my brother (which if you have siblings will know isn't an overly relaxing situation).
I headed back to the pool and again didn't do warm up because my race was at the very end. I was excited for this race, I really enjoy IM because it's really different, even though I can't do breaststroke to save my life.
On the fly, a girl to my right went out quickly and I stayed just with her. On the second length of fly I managed to just pull past her and gain the lead. I knew I had to work really hard on the fly and Backstroke if I wanted to be in contention for a medal due to my appalling breaststroke. I had a decent lead after the back, which was quickly taken away on the breaststroke, but I still managed to turn in 4th place, just behind 3rd. I knew I had a strong freestyle so I really dug in hard here and managed to pass and pull away from the girl who was in 3rd. I managed to hold on to 3rd until the finish and I even got a 2 second PB. I was really pleased with this and happy that I could come away with another medal.
Overall I had a really enjoyable and successful weekend.

I am now looking forward to going on camp this week with the England Talent squad in Welbeck College, Loughborough.

British Duathlon Championships 2015

This was an interesting event to say the least, on Sunday the 29th of March.

I was really excited and optimistic looking into the race, feeling better and stronger on the run than previously and also on the bike.

I had really good preparation, with my favorite meal the night before, steak and chips, and a decent nights sleep. My race wasn't until 1.30pm, so I felt really relaxed in the morning and all I really wanted to do was stay warm and dry, as the weather was  shocking.
I got to the venue quite early as I was eager to see the conditions on the course and what it was like again, as after a year I had pretty much no idea and forgotten, plus the fact I hadn't made it around one bike lap last year may have been a large factor about why I wanted to forget. I saw some of the youth racing and it looked pretty rough. The wind was really picking up and it was so cold and miserable.

The Junior boys who went off just an hour before and the weather was really terrible. There were lots of crashes and falls just due to the really intense winds. I must admit at this point I was getting pretty worried. We got called for briefing at 1.10pm and this is when they announce that our race (the junior and senior women) would be turned into a 10km straight run, no cycling due to the wind scheduled to pick up even more than what I already thought was manic. But it did put my mind at rest a little because it was going to be about who actual makes it round, rather than who gets round the quickest. People were quite dubious about a 10km run as many had never raced that far before, but I had raced a couple and felt quite relaxed because I knew I had gotten

Try and spot the runners through the rain!!!!

some really decent road running in prior to the race thanks to my coach Jane Clarke.
Everyone went out pretty quick, with a huge lead group going round together for the first lap of 4. I then dropped back because I knew I shouldn't try and keep up with some of the best senior runners, such as Emma Pallant, who went on to win. But I managed to catch up Sian Rainsley and another girl, we managed to work together well, as a chain gang style due to the awful side and head wind, especially going up the little hill there was!!!
I felt quite relaxed at halfway, seeing we went round in roughly 19 minutes. I was hoping to just keep with the other two girls for this lap,(this was when the weather got the worst and I got blown 2 meters sideways whilst running along the top straight and the rain was coming down so hard I could barely open my eyes) but when I managed to stick with them for the third lap of four, they really picked up the pace in the downhill and behind wind section. I really wanted to just hold on for as long as possible and I managed to until the very last 400 meters, where they both kicked away and I just had nothing left. I could see the clock ticking away and I really wanted to go sub-40mins and I was so happy that I did. It was the first time in a 10km that I have done under 40mins and especially in those conditions I was really thrilled. We quickly got whisked away into the athletes lounge where they gave us a foil wrap and a drink, which was warmly accepted. I came away with 4th Junior girl and 11th overall. I was really pleased with both my positioning and my time.

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.