Back on Track.

Thanks to the gorgeous weather we had last week I managed to put in some quality training though not as much as I would've liked,  but it was certainly a big improvement on recent weeks and months. I even managed a couple of long runs  on the road and it was lovely to be out in the fresh air and sunshine.

A young boy I've been mentoring here in Harlow, Adam, took part in his second mini marathon and managed to do a PB. I was delighted for him. I can remember his mum, Karen, bringing him down to the track when he was only 9 years old and we sat him in my racing chair and his arms barely reached the push rims! It is a real blessing to watch youngsters such as Adam mature into great athletes.

I watched the London Marathon on TV and thanked God there was no repeat of the awful events in Boston the week before. My heart really goes out to all those people whose lives were wrecked by the cowardly actions of two very evil individuals. I was upset to see one of the world's top racers, Josh Cassidy, colliding with one of the elite female athletes. I think the organizers caused both of them the race due to poor planning. If the wheelchairs had been started first then that incident could have been easily prevented. I'm sure Josh will be back next year.

On Friday I was invited to spend time and motivate the young people and volunteers taking part in the Panathlon Challenge in Chelmsford, Essex, one of the 50 multi- sport competitions being held in 17 counties this year. I also presented the medals to these wonderful 'differently able' youngsters who really enjoyed taking part in New age curling,table cricket, boccia, and relay races that involved runners and electric and manual wheelchairs. I believe every child has the right to play and it doesn't matter about their limitations, physical or mental, there was something there they could participate in. There was so much love, passion and determination oozing from the youngsters faces that it was a joy to behold. It made me reflect and be reminded that the most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love and take it in.

 I ended my blessed Friday with a lovely meal with my very good friend. I'm sure we all have friends who bring the best out of us without even trying, and we love being in their company whether we are doing something exciting or watching the paint dry!  It was a fantastic way to start the weekend so I thank them for their great company. Life is great and we shouldn't let circumstances and society fool us into believing it's not. Sometimes being silly with a friend is the best thing and you don't always have to climb Mt.Kenya !!!

I woke up early on Saturday to prepare for the first track meeting of this season but it got off to a bad start when my taxi failed to show and another had to be organised quickly. It's not easy to find a car big enough to take my racing and day chairs but we managed. We arrived in Stoke Mandeville on time for me to take part in the BWAA Meeting, but the weather was DIRE. Rain, wind, more rain! Such a shame because it is one of the best tracks in the UK for wheelchair racing but the wind was illegal so none of the times were any good for qualifying. I did manage 3rd in 3 races, bus as the weather worsened I decided to cut my losses and head home before my final race. Things can only get better.

This morning I played the part of very proud mum when my son, Tim, played striker for his team, Parsloe Athletic U - 12, and scored a fantastic goal from thirty yards out that he hit so hard the pegs holding the net down jumped from their holes!!! They won 3 - 1, so very well done Tim from your very proud mum.

Olympic Day for the Differently Able.

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away when I attended a fantastic event at the Columbus School and College in Chelmsford. They have 240 pupils and students with severe learning difficulties (SLD), and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), and a high ratio of pupils and students with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). They are all aged between 3 - 19 years and are spread over two campuses in Chelmsford - an Academies Enterprise Trust School. The Head Teacher is Malcolm Reeve. The school motto is; 'Take responsibility, show respect, consider others and believe in yourself. The pupils and learners were awarded certificates based on Olympic and Paralympic values, respect, courage, determination, friendship, inspiration, excellence and equality.The whole campus had a beautiful feel about it, not just the modern building and excellent facilities, but it was the whole ethos and culture that made me feel as if I was part of a big family. I thought about my visit to the  Haiti Hospital Appeal and spending the day with the children at Maison de Benediction.


As a woman who is differently able, I have come to realise that disability does not come with a manual - but life goes on and people with additional needs have different abilities. We should never judge people from their outward appearance, we need to interact with them to see how amazing and talented they are.


We spent the morning at the Columbus School and walked the Olympic Torch to the Columbus College. The day was a real inspiration to me and I came to realise that we all had one thing in common - to make our best better!!!

SX Urban Games.

I did well on my recent visit to Gateshead and won a gold and a bronze in my two races. The times weren't all that but it's a slow track for wheelchairs so I wasn't too concerned. I only have a competition at Crystal Palace on the 15th left this season though I may enter some 10k/half marathons to keep me going a bit longer.

Yesterday I attended the 'SX Urban Games' in Central Park, Chelmsford in my capacity as Team Essex Ambassador and I found the whole event really exciting and very interesting. They had some very talented skateboarders, BMX riders, street gymnasts, 3 on 3 basketball, freestyle footballers, and a brilliant young man called Bass6 who is a human beatbox. I couldn't believe the sounds he was creating just with his voice!

I really enjoyed the day and it was really nice to present the prizes to the winners of the various competitions. It's nice to see that there are so many talented youngsters around, and it was also nice to see different sports from the more traditional variety.

Team Essex Ambassador Artists.

The first thing I really need to say is apologies for not making more regular updates to this blog and I promise to try and make more regular entries from today. Anyway, I've had a fairly hectic time since my last entry but it has all been positive stuff so I shall attempt to backdate a bit.
Harlow Primary Schools Athletics Championships.
I was invited to attend this event which was held at Mark Hall Sports College, Harlow, to present prizes and encourage the pupils attending. It was an absolutely foul day, with torrential rain the whole time, but the youngsters were determined to compete. The children bravely fought through the rain but it was really difficult as the rain was making huge puddles on the track. They splashed on and I was inspired by their grit and determination. Unfortunately, the weather won, and the event had to be cancelled but I still had the opportunity to see all the events that were held in the Sports hall, and meet and speak to a lot of children. They were full of questions which I did my best to answer.
Journey to the Podium - 'Adopt an Artist Scheme'.
In September I attended a meeting in Chelmsford whose aim was to pair up artists with athletes so a work of art can be produced. The artists have been briefed to work with their athlete to develop an art work that either captures them, the essence of their personalities or their chosen sport. I have been paired up with Elaine Tribley, who is a painter and graphic artist. We have met and are both very excited about the project and looking forward to taking this journey together. It was very interesting when we met at my local track and chatted whilst I was doing my training. She was really interested about every aspect of my sport, wheelchair racing, and wanted to know everything about my chair. We joked about her trying to get into my racing chair. Perhaps at the end of our journey I'll let her have a go, and I'll take the pictures!
Back to the office - TRAINING!
Training has been going really well as I work towards peak fitness to prepare myself for next season. Training never stops because as an athlete you need to be constantly trying to improve, and the only way to do that is by training. Just like anyone else, illness can interfere but you have to ride over it. I'm back doing over 50km a week plus some strength and conditioning in the gym. I'm also trying to learn how to swim because this will be good for my upper body strength, as well as being good therapy. It will also help me to raise some money for charity!
Harlow Sports Awards 2009.
I attended this event last night at Harlow Playhouse and it was good to be amongst so many talented athletes, a couple of whom I mentor and who were up for awards. I was nominated for Sports Personality of the Year. I got a nice certificate for being a finalist. At least I got the chance to 'glam up' and look like a woman instead of a sweat drenched athlete in sports gear.
I'll be back!