Surprised myself (TT column 16.12.13)

I am not usually one to gloat but then I am also not often one to finish tasks with such ample time to spare. It is such an exception that I feel I must share this recent accomplishment; I have finished my Christmas shopping. I expect I’ve now jinxed myself and missed out a vitally important present as well as annoying anyone who still has much of their shopping left to do. I always crave the festive period although it takes me an unusually long time to become fully absorbed into the Christmas spirit, I can’t put my finger on what has influenced this change unless it has been the copious amounts of mulled wine I seemed to have consumed recently or the regular cycle rides through tastefully decorated villages, whichever the culprit I am embracing it.

This time of year is apparently not so welcoming to cyclists. The daylight hours are short, the temperatures cooler (and not to forget the slippery roads that I recently discovered, the painful way) but there is also plenty of debris on the lanes. I suffered the consequences with a puncture last week, fortunately for my father I was not within rescuing distance from home on this occasion. Even though I am in theory adequately prepared with the correct equipment it is still hit and miss, so I owe a lot of gratitude to the kind gentleman who stopped to help me with my repair, chivalry is not dead. After a recent government survey the news that cycling is an increasingly popular sport does not surprise me. There is still a long way to go with encouraging more women to participate but the advantage of the men to women ratio does come in handy when technical problems occur.

Inspired (TT column 09.12.13)

As a sportsperson inspiration is vital. Whether it helps you get out of bed at the crack of dawn to spend a few hours slogging up and down a swimming pool or to head out for a run in the rain during the long cold winter months; somewhere in the back of your mind I am sure that there will be something or someone who has given you reason to find that drive. After London 2012 the tag line "inspire a generation" was arguably overused and a year on national sporting institutions have been reviewing the legacy left by those performances we witnessed at the home Olympics.
Athletes are expected to inspire people, young and old, although it is normally presumed that they themselves will have had someone inspire them along their journey. It is a question I have been asked by many children during school visits or had to fill in for competition profiles and something I still have to stop and think about. This is not because I struggle to find inspiration but I do struggle to name just one and the dilemma of whether it should it be a sporting hero, a family member or maybe a coach or teacher.
I am sure that all of us will have done something to inspire people throughout our lives but we may struggle to do so to the same degree as the late Nelson Mandela. I cannot begin to comprehend the lengths that the former South African president went to for his country, he was and still is an inspiration to not only his fellow countrymen but everyday people like you and me across the world. Rest in peace.
   

Record still stands (TT column 01.12.13)

This past week there has been plenty of sporting action to watch, especially rugby. We’ve had the rugby league World Cup, the autumn internationals and a very important local derby. If you live in the north then the rugby league World Cup final on Saturday afternoon might have raised your heart rate but being a Westcountry girl watching Bath and Exeter Chiefs fight it out at the Recreation ground did far more to get my adrenaline flowing. According to the statisticians it has been over thirty years since Exeter were victorious over Bath, as close as this encounter seemed the score on the board said it all as Bath extended their unbeaten record. This fixture posed a slight moral dilemma for me; I was fortunate enough to be a guest at the match yet I was being hosted by a Bath supporter. I began with good intentions but such was my excitement at the Chiefs first (and second) try I could not contain my emotions, thankfully one can get away with this in rugby union and said host saw the funny side.

Trust is a major factor in life and it can be just as important in sport. Whether you need to trust your team mate, your horse or your equipment it can make the difference between winning and loosing. On a less drastic measure I lost some trust last Sunday. This was probably the result of me becoming too confident and trusting not only my skills but also my equipment, that being my road bicycle. It probably doesn’t come as a big surprise that I fell off again, but the circumstances were new. Now it is winter and the roads are greasy I need to understand that corners require a little more respect, I have the bruises to remind me that for at least a few weeks.

Missing the burn (TT column 25.11.13)

The bruises had just started to fade and the memories seemed to be distorted, so I entered another cyclo cross competition. After a couple of hours of actual coaching prior to my second race I thought that maybe these new skills could make a difference. Well I didn't didn't fall off but I think this was down to the less technical course rather than my actions as a rider. It is quite a new experience racing in an event that is physically demanding as well as extremely skill based; I am using these cycle races to replace my usual cross country running season although I do miss being able to give the 100% lung burning effort.  Having said that I have received some encouraging news, after many slightly inconclusive scan results my stress fracture is allowed to be tested with gentle jogging, so you never know I might still catch the end of this season.

These last few weeks I have spent a lot of time in Plymouth working with the Dame Kelly Holmes trust helping young unemployed people gain skills and confidence needed to obtain a suitable job. It has been most rewarding watching them grow throughout the course, but more importantly it has made me realise how challenging finding that dream job or any job can be. Some of these young people have degrees, some excellent vocational skills and all of them the desire to earn a living, with the course wrapping up now I do hope that local employers can benefit from what is on offer under the surface.

Girls best friend (TT column 18.11.13)

After not attending anything that could even vaguely be classed as glamorous for far too long the opportunities have now arrived like London buses. It is still a novelty as an athlete to dig out the heels and dust off the party frock, not that I can imagine ever getting bored of such occasions. The challenge comes when you have to remember what dress you wore last year and to what awards, then again if the pictures didn’t end up printed or on Facebook you are probably safe. These last two weeks I had no need to worry, both events were new to me but more importantly I disguised my outfits. I am not a huge fan of a black plain dress, although this time it was necessary. Who would notice what I was wearing when I was shining so, no I’m not implying I was looking amazing myself, that was all thanks to the stunning diamonds I had been leant. There is always something a little unnerving about borrowing whether that be your parent’s car, a friend’s horse or a small jewellers’ diamonds, you suddenly are responsible for their valued possessions. Thankfully due to my need to share the love of “my” sparkling jewellery there was not too long a delay from the loss to the search. My stomach sank as I touched my ears to show my friend the diamond earrings; there was only one. Due to her calm methodical plan we found it, lying only inches from the car park drain, oh the relief.

Reflection (TT column 11.11.13)

This time of year involves a lot of reflection. As a result of the actions of the brave men who fought for our country we now live such privileged lives in wonderful freedom. Thank you to those who fought for our country.
It could almost seem insignificant in comparison as we move into the awards season. Although on a different scale it is always humbling and inspiring to hear the stories behind the winners. As a member of the south west judging panel for the sporting unsung hero award, I had the difficult task of helping to choose who would go through to contend for the national title. It is incredible to read the stories behind these volunteers who put hours and hours of work into helping others enjoy various sports. For every winner who is celebrated there are thousands of volunteers who help change people's lives through sport, I know I owe my sporting achievements to so many of them.

Sport continues to give me so much pleasure and last weekend was no different. I had a perfect mix of spectating and partaking, although the former was more successful. At last I found myself with a free Saturday in Devon on the same date as an Exeter Chiefs home game, it wasn't the prettiest match to watch but the final score was pleasing. The following day was another display of slightly rugged sport but this was a direct result of my lack of skill. I found myself in at the deep end or should I say deep mud, when I entered my first open cyclo cross event. I had a false sense of confidence after the novice event a few weeks earlier, although I'm glad I jumped right in as even though there is plenty of room for improvement, I loved it.

Trick or treat? (TT column 04.11.13)

It creeps up on me too quickly every year, although not literally as we live in the middle of nowhere. I think any trick or treaters would be scared themselves before even reaching our house, but it does save on the treats. As a child I saw it as one disadvantage for living on Dartmoor, I never experienced a true Halloween. I've been told it's not the done thing at my age, so the clock is now ticking until my niece is old enough to accompany me, or is that the other way around? It did seem that the local council were getting into the spirit last week although I presume it wasn't intentional; the lights in the Tavistock to Yelverton cycle path tunnel were turned off during day, I could honestly not see a thing, I'm hoping now that Halloween has passed they have resumed normal service.

This time of year often gets confusing, or maybe that is just me? It seems that fancy dress and fireworks overlap for several weeks. One thing that is for certain, it is now dark. I know we lost an hour with the clock change but somehow it seems that we've lost several hours in the evenings. I had been in denial until heading out onto Dartmoor for a fun afternoon with my mountain bike; in the rain, mud and dark I was struggling to cling onto that "fun" element.

The Halloween and Guy Fawkes celebrations have passed, the evenings are now dark and the temperatures are dropping, what do we look forward to now? Don't worry I will not mention that 'C' word just yet.