Out and About.

Last Monday I was being filmed by BBC for a special programme to be shown soon. I felt really good in the morning when the crew were filming me on the track. It was a glorious, hot, sunny day and I felt full of energy and positive thought. I was wishing I was competing because I was sharp and fast, vital ingredients for a good performance. The producer, David Waters, was great to work with and he made the whole experience a positive one.


In the afternoon Dan Walker arrived to do an interview.  'Football Focus' and here he was in my front room! He was great, very professional, and he was  easy to talk to. I really enjoyed the whole experience.


In the evening it was 'back to the office' for a hard training session with Ken. As I worked I couldn't help thinking about the difference between filming on the track in the morning and working hard on it in the evening. I know which one I prefer but I also know it is the training that will help me achieve my goal.


On Tuesday I was invited down to the Harlow Canal Boat Project to wave off one of their boats,'Red Watch', which was making its way to London to be part of the flotilla celebrating the Queen's Jubilee on Sunday. I am very proud to be Patron of the HCBP and it was wonderful to see some of the learners from St.Elizabeths Specialist College, their carers, and the crew,waving to us on the shore as they set off on their unforgettable journey. The boat was beautifully decorated with union jacks and banners. I must admit to feeling a little jealous that I wasn't on board with them. It is such a blessing that Queen Elizabeth is celebrating 60 years as sovereign. Sometimes God selects people for different missions and I think she was picked for this one. Whether you are a Royalist or not you have to admit it is a unique occasion.

On Thursday I was invited to Mark Hall School to present awards to staff for their service to the school. This event was organised by the Board of Governors, including Dr.Valerie Shepherd, and was meant to reflect the importance of the school in the community and the hard work and dedication of the staff in running it. I was amazed to learn that one of the staff, Marge Green, has been teaching at the school for 40 years! Now that's what I call dedication to a profession. I think teachers generally get a bad press so it was really nice to be involved in such a positive event. Well done to everyone who got an award.

A Time For Everything Under Heaven.

This is the month that I first came into this world so it's always been an important one for me. This is the month to tie up loose ends, forgive and move on. An ideal month to explore new things and new opportunities. It's a time to pay attention to my thoughts and replace any negativity with positivity. It is a month to get things off my chest. Is my glass half full or half empty? I pray for the strength to face new challenges and to be cautious and adventurous at the same time. It's a VERY busy month of competitions, travelling, filming, appearances,etc. All of this is a blessing and I thank God for everything he has given me. I am blessed every day I awake and that's why I choose to be a blessing to everyone I meet. Smile and appreciate life.

In this period of atrocious and unpredictable weather it has been a real challenge to train outdoors, thunder and lightning, strong winds, and lashing rain, but it has to be done because time waits for no one. Roll on May!!!

Right to Play.

Last week ended with a filming session for 'Right to Play'. This is a charity I represent as an Athlete Ambassador. I support them because they use sport and play for development to improve the lives of children in the most disadvantaged areas of the world. You can learn more about this great charity by visiting their website; www.righttoplay.org.uk

Apart from doing the filming I had a meeting in London with Everetta Days. She is a former model from the USA and is writing a global modelling book she hopes will change how people perceive beauty. We had a giggle together. She has a lovely bubbly personality and it was a pleasure to spend time with her. I look forward to reading her book when it's published, and I'm also looking forward to meeting her again in America.

Training has been going really well, despite the poor weather we have been having. If it gets too bad I train indoors, otherwise it's out on the road and track. Yesterday I returned from London and was feeling good so I went on the track and met my coach. We knew what we were going to do but for some reason things didn't go to plan and just fell apart. My gloves didn't feel right, my push rims were slipping and even my warm up didn't feel right. It all made me feel a bit low and as I drove home I tried to analyse what had gone wrong. However, I couldn't find an answer and just put it down as one of those things that happens to every athlete now and again. Today is another day and we'll see what happens.