Autumn 01

Autumn colours in the Surrey Hills

/in /by

Kevin and I are based in the Surrey Hills and I cannot imagine having a more enjoyable running ‘playground’ right on our doorstep.

A 422km² Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Surrey Hills has three long distance paths running through it (the North Downs Way, the Greensand Way and the Pilgrim’s Way) and its summit, Leith Hill, is the highest point in south-east England.

Autumn is always a special time of year, with frosty mornings and the changing colour of the leaves. Running straight up Leith Hill is a good way to warm up and the reward is always a breathtaking view across the Weald. Sometimes it is a little harder to get out for an afternoon run as the temperatures drop and the nights draw in. That is when I encourage myself out of the door with the promise of lighting the toasty wood-burning stove on my return!

Canada 01

Q: What does an Olympian do in her break?

/in /by

A: She goes canoeing in the Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada!

Well, I think this Olympian may be a bit of an exception to the rule. Kevin and I love active adventure so in late September we took to the water to get away from it all.

Fresh air, vast open lakes, bears and moose, beavers and snapper turtles, mile upon mile of forest. It really was the perfect way to refresh the mind and body after a long, hard summer.

The trees were changing colour so it was stunning array of yellow, red, gold, brown and the last remaining green.

In the Algonquin, the network of lakes are connected by ‘portage’ routes, basically rough and rugged meandering footpaths through the woodland. When reaching a portage, you pick up the canoe, put it on your head and walk! Along with all our food and camping equipment it was quite some load to lug and with portages ranging from 200m to 5000m we worked up quite an appetite.

I was at the front of our foot canoe with Kevin at the back. I like to think that I was the powerhouse and he just did the steering but I know that is not the case. However weak I was, it was definitely a welcome start to strengthening my upper body.

After a week, hardly seeing a single soul, we felt energized, refreshed and ready to go again.

 

Not here for the TRACKSUIT 01

Welcome!

/in /by

Welcome to my website. I have been planning this for some time but as soon as 2012 was on the horizon I was all absorbed in making Team GB for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Well, the rest is history.

 

Not here for the TRACKSUIT

 
This was my motto going into the Games and my parting thought in my BBC interview on leaving the Olympic stadium. The words will always remain a massive source of inspiration!

 
Now, follow me on my athletic journey. I will reflect on my experiences at the London 2012 Olympic Games and share with you my joy, laughter and my tears as I take on the exciting challenges that lie ahead.

 
Watch this space…