Tis The Season To Be Busy.

I have been training really hard since my last entry but as usual the weather has been against me and a lot of my work has been done on rollers in the Mark Hall Sports Centre. Buckets of sweat and aching muscles but worth it because of the great feeling of self satisfaction when its over and done with. I am determined to have a great season in 2011 and I certainly feel a lot fitter than I usually do at this time of year. I have a bad cold at the moment but I am fighting it so that I can continue training..

On Wednesday gone I was very privileged to attend the 'Journey to the Podium' exhibition which has opened in my hometown of Harlow, at the wonderful Gibberd Gallery in the Civic Centre. I am very proud to be a Team Essex Ambassador, and even more proud to have been featured through the lovely art work of Elaine Tribley. It was also lovely to see the other work produced by artists working with other sports people. Essex County Council is to be congratulated for running such an innovative scheme that pairs artists with athletes.

Out in Harlow yesterday I was surprised to see the Xmas lights and the town full of shoppers. I started to panic because I haven't even had time to think of Christmas. I must say I hate the dark nights and the cold and long for Spring.

Frustration!!

The past week or so has been extremely frustrating! First of all the weather has been terrible, forcing me to be confined to the gym and the dreaded rollers. OK, so the rollers are good for improving my stamina and general fitness levels but to be honest, nothing can compare to being out on the road and putting in the miles. So, finally, yesterday, the weather was lovely so I get into my racing chair and set off to do my 10 mile push. I'm just getting into my rhythm when BANG! My back tire gets a puncture so I'm forced to get home on a flat. Then,today, a change of wheels to my old ones with the spokes and what happens? The push rim starts to come off, along with a couple of spokes! Session ended before its really begun. I could have cried but what's the point? You just put on a brave smile and get on with life.

My new tires have just arrived in the post so I'll change the punctured one and give it another go tomorrow. I have to because I'm doing a half marathon a week tomorrow at Silverstone to try and raise some much needed funds for AbleChild Africa, a charity that is very close to my heart because it helps disabled kids in Africa to reach their own personal goals in life. I WILL do it, though its a very tough course so I'm not aiming to break any records. Just finishing will be an achievement.

That apart I was very privileged on Wednesday to attend the launch of a scheme run by 'Journey to the Podium' and sponsored by Essex County Council where a group of artists were commissioned to produce works of art inspired by selected athletes. The launch was held at Colchester United's stadium and I was genuinely honoured to see the work about me from Elaine Tribley and Dr Mark Curtis of Essex County Council's Heritage and Archive teams. It was really weird to see artwork about yourself but also very nice. Elaine also produced a book called 'Olympia' about her work and about me and I was thrilled to get two copies, one of which I'm going to send to my dad in Kenya. He will be so proud! Working with Elaine has really inspired me and made me understand art a lot better.Thanks Elaine! Dr Mark also produced a lifesize picture of me and when you press a button my voice can be heard talking about myself and my sport. Amazing.Thank you Dr Mark. What made the evening more special was having my husband, Norman, and my son,Tim with me. Tim was a bit puzzled by all the attention I was getting but he loved the artwork. A really memorable evening.

Journey to the Podium.

I had a very busy weekend with my family and then on Monday it was even more hectic. I had to prepare for a trip to Bristol for a modelling assignment then head for Harlow Sports Centre for a gym session with my personal trainer John Campbell. We had a good workout that was being photographed by Elaine Tribley for her project for the Team Essex 2012, 'Journey to the Podium' ,where artists are teaming up with athletes to produce artwork in the lead up to London 2012. I'm very excited by the project and also I feel very honoured to have been chosen. John is an excellent coach and he has really helped me to develop my upper body strength, essential for a wheelchair athlete. It was a great workout, and equally great to meet up and chat to Elaine again. She is a very talented artist.
My husband, Norman, picked me up and we headed for Harlow Town train station to begin my journey to Bristol. We had to get to Liverpool Street then head across London to Paddington. The journey was made more stressful because of a bus strike but fortunately the 23 bus was running and we made our way through the rush hour traffic and arrived in plenty of time to catch the 6.30pm train.
As usual, when we reported to the room where disabled people can get assistance we were told off for not giving them 24 hours notice. It really does annoy me that disabled people are supposed to be able to plan everything 24 hours in advance whilst everyone else can just turn up. Anyway, my journey was made much nicer by travelling with another lady in a wheelchair and I arrived at my hotel ready for a good night's sleep.

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!