Hey,
Its been quite a while since I've posted anything, but it's been such a manic year I think I've needed quite some time to get my head around it all.
So when I last left off, I'd just got back from Hungary. So after that I just had 1 more race, which was the under 20's festival. This time it was a quite head to head battle with my really good friend Elisabeth Hood. It was close but Liz had the edge on me on the run and went flying to take first, and I finished in 2nd, closely followed by Olivia Mathias, who also had a great race.
After that race there was the presentation for the overall series as well. I was so happy as I managed to come 4th, 5th was Olivia, 3rd was Megan Mcdonald, 2nd was Liz and 1st was Bronwen Owen.
After the season ended I managed to get into the England Talent squad, along with all the girls above and many more great triathletes. This took me off to Spain for a week just before Christmas for a really great, but very intense training camp. It was really enjoyable with so many laughs and great training was done. I learnt a lot and am looking forward to my next camp with the England talent squad up in Loughborough. Straight after this I also have another camp away with a smaller group of us to Italy, so I am really looking forward to all of this to come.
So far I have done many cross country races, included Norfolk schools, where I won, and Anglian schools, where I finished 5th, and I am now through to English schools, which is in the coming months. I have also done Norfolk county championships (1st) and I have competed in southern county champs/ parliament hills, where I was chuffed to finish 21st!!!
On this swimming side of things, I was ecstatic to achieve my 800m free style national time and the open water, which I thoroughly enjoyed last year. I look forward to competing at Nationals in July.
Its been such a great last season and hope to achieve just as much this year and hopefully with the help of
-Gowards funeral services, who ever so kindly sponsored my bike box, which came in very handy for Spain and will be for Italy.
-Copyit, who have generously given me sponsorship for a great pair of wheels.
-Zone 3, who have given me help on my journey and by giving me a reduced price wet suit, I will be able to use this on future training camps and this will help me improve endlessly.
Thank you ever so much for all the support and help along the way and I will keep you posted more regularly on my doings and results.
Thursday, 20 February 2014
Monday, 12 August 2013
UPDATE
Just got back from Hungary after a week away with triathlon
England/ British triathlon. It was a training camp leading up to the Tiszaujvaros ETU Triathlon Junior European
Cup, unfortunately I found out when registering on Friday that I was in fact
not allowed to race due to my age, along with 3 others. Things like this happen
and it was no one’s fault! It was still great to be there and watch the race
and be able to train with everyone there. Hopefully I will be there next year
with being able to race and now I know the course and how the semi final to
finals work. It was a great experience.
A few weeks ago I also raced at British triathlon Championships in Liverpool. As always Liz Hood, Hermione Waterman and I swam together an then went out onto the bike together and again Megan Macdonald caught up and worked us very hard on the middle leg!!! As we went out onto the run, Meg and Liz managed to scrape a 5-10 second lead on me! the run consisted of a 2 lap out and back course! here it was down to the 3 of us racing it out! The other girls were running together and I wasn't going to be dropped! After the first lap I was about 3-6 seconds behind now! After the U-turn, Meg made a big kick and left Liz, I knew I would have to go as well. Here I passed Elisabeth and pulled away from her but Meg was going really strong and just managed to pull away and get the win! I managed to hold onto second which I was ecstatic with as it was my first podium of the season!! Hopefully I will carry on this medaling at the last race of the season at Eton! I will update you after that!!!
Monday, 22 July 2013
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!!!!!!
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!!!!!!
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
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!!!!!!!
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!!!!!!!
Monday, 17 December 2012
LATEST NEWS.
Latest News.
Well the IRC finals are done I finished in 5th place, !! and was a bit disappointed as I was looking for a podium placing
However on reflection the top girls are all good athletes and I now know what I have to do to compete.my main aim at this moment in time is to improve my running so with this in mind I have dropped 2 swim sessions and am now running on a Tuesday and a Thursday as well as aiming to do Saturdays.
I have been asked to and have joined the Eastern Regional Academy and also the Human Performance Unit Junior Triathlon squad.
We done our first training day for the Eastern Academy this Sunday at Cambridge it was a good day but hard as well, it was good to so many friendly faces,the next time we meet will be the swim camp in January which I am looking forward to
well hope you all have a good Christmas...
Monday, 3 September 2012
6 days to go!!
Now we are at the end of the season and I have only 1 more important race to go!! The big one!! IRC's!!!!! I'm really looking forward to it even though I am really nervous at the same time!! Throughout the season I have just felt stronger and stronger and now its just time to see all the hard work pay off! I have gone all season without a single defeat in the Eastern region league so that is always a plus!!! I have done Ipswich triathlon most recently which was a great success for me and the rest of my HPU team mates aswell!
I had a great race in my home city of Norwich at the Eastern region aquathlon championships! I came out of the water first very closely followed by HPU team mate Aaron Rae! Overall I finished 6th behind team mates Aaron and Elliot but still first girl!!
Also in July I took part in the first ever Norwich six bridges river swim!! It was a 1mile course through the centre of Norwich! I arrived that morning in the pouring rain not really knowing what to expect! Once we were all in the river we lined up and got ready to start! Everyone went off very fast, including myself! I thought it would be good if I could just keep with Matt Ellis, but I soon found myself pulling away from the rest of the field!! By the end I had managed to pull over 30 seconds ahead!! I was really chuffed and got an interview for the local news!!! I got a time of 18.02 which I was really happy about!!
I had a great race in my home city of Norwich at the Eastern region aquathlon championships! I came out of the water first very closely followed by HPU team mate Aaron Rae! Overall I finished 6th behind team mates Aaron and Elliot but still first girl!!
Also in July I took part in the first ever Norwich six bridges river swim!! It was a 1mile course through the centre of Norwich! I arrived that morning in the pouring rain not really knowing what to expect! Once we were all in the river we lined up and got ready to start! Everyone went off very fast, including myself! I thought it would be good if I could just keep with Matt Ellis, but I soon found myself pulling away from the rest of the field!! By the end I had managed to pull over 30 seconds ahead!! I was really chuffed and got an interview for the local news!!! I got a time of 18.02 which I was really happy about!!
Saturday, 23 June 2012
season update..
Ok been a while since blogged but here we are up to date with what I have done.
The triathlon season has kicked off and I have now done 6 events these are Tri sport epping Aquathlon 1st place, St Felix Triathlon 1st place,Dornay twice with a 2nd and a 3rd,East Essex 1st place,and New hall 1st place, I have now qualified for the IRC finals in Sunderland and am sitting first in the Eastern region league,
Have also done Fritton lake Aquathlon twice and set a new swim record which was previously held by HPU team mate Sean Watson who no doubt will be after to take it back,So far all is going well and the biking at Lotus has really paid off also am now starting the track coaching for the running.so will have 6-10 weeks of intense sessions prior to the IRC finals, I need to take about 1 minute of my running time to be up where I know the competition will be,open water swimming tomorrow and then the Rob Mclean next week end so busy also its my birthday today 14 years young ha ha...
Speak soon.
Sophie.
The triathlon season has kicked off and I have now done 6 events these are Tri sport epping Aquathlon 1st place, St Felix Triathlon 1st place,Dornay twice with a 2nd and a 3rd,East Essex 1st place,and New hall 1st place, I have now qualified for the IRC finals in Sunderland and am sitting first in the Eastern region league,
Have also done Fritton lake Aquathlon twice and set a new swim record which was previously held by HPU team mate Sean Watson who no doubt will be after to take it back,So far all is going well and the biking at Lotus has really paid off also am now starting the track coaching for the running.so will have 6-10 weeks of intense sessions prior to the IRC finals, I need to take about 1 minute of my running time to be up where I know the competition will be,open water swimming tomorrow and then the Rob Mclean next week end so busy also its my birthday today 14 years young ha ha...
Speak soon.
Sophie.
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