Songs that remind me of...

We all know that music evokes tons of memories of events or people from one time or another. Here are some songs that do this for me.

Mr Brightside by The Killers – IOW Festival 2013 with my brother Richard after being told off by my dad for being too drunk and chucking a bottle of water over my sister!

King by Years and Years – Skeleton 2015 season. Maddy and I are sort of in love with the band and we played them A LOT!

Rather Be by Clean Bandit – Lillehammer 2014. It was Alice’s alarm tone and she very nearly ruined it for me with the amount of times she presses snooze.

Every Kingdom album by Ben Howard – this reminds me of an ex. I introduced him to Ben Howard one evening when we were chilling at his, it was a really nice moment too.

We found love by Rihanna – this makes me think of nights out in Loughborough with Harriet, one of my best friends. She’s a massive fan. It also makes me think of tough bike sessions as it’s a great 

song to cycle to!

Call me baby by Carly Rea Jepson – JAYNE NISBET and warm weather training 2012 Monte Gordo!

Manfire aka Happily by One Direction – ‘We’re manfire, we are man fire!’ this was a car tune during our (JC, Sarah, Nony and Donald) time in Tenerife warm weather training last April. It isn’t called manfire (obviously) but until I check the playlist I can’t actually remember the actual song title!

3AM by Busted – as a teenage I was a huge fan and used to spend afternoons listening to them. For this particular song a friend of mine (Charlotte) and I used to headbang whilst laying on her bed?! We recently went to see McBusted and it did not disappoint.

Jump around by House of Pain – this song or a mash up version always reminds me of my brother and sister! For many Bestivals running we’d always meet for Jaguar Skills wherever it was and whatever the time and this tune was a classic. Some of my favourite festival memories have been from his sets (and the aftermath).

Everytime we touch by Cascada – this song is the song of my first girls holiday in Tenerife aged 17 with my best friends and one of their mums! It will without fail get me up on a dance floor even now.

Stronger by Kanye West (does he need a surname anymore?) – this song always takes me back to Fresher’s week 2007! It was played without fail every night and was huge.

Run by Snow Patrol. One of my favourite songs full stop. I’ve seen them twice at IOW Festival and the second time was just so brilliant and a great moment with my boyfriend at the time.

Guns and Horses by Ellie Goulding – one of my favourite artists. Her whole first album not just this song brings up memories of feeling really liberated one summer between Uni. I’d play it on the way to work with the sun shining and remember feeling pretty happy.

To Tinder or Not?

So I wasn’t sure whether or not I wanted to publish these thoughts. I was (am?) a little ashamed to be using Tinder (since the start of March) and didn’t necessarily want to admit it widely. But realising I am potentially getting carried away with how many people actually read this blog and a chat with my cousin has led to this being composed now on the train back from Sheffield. 

The said chat went like this..

Chris (cousin, aged 28) upon explaining how he met his current girlfriend to his dad: “ Cous (that’s me), are you on Tinder?”

I panicked and went “No” in an offended sort of manner.

Chris: “I am. It’s how I met [new girlfriends name]”.

Me: “Ok, I lied. I am” and that was that. We proceeded to then explain and demonstrate to his dad how Tinder worked - hilarious!

** Hold up what is Tinder? (I expect my mum is reading this, insert monkey covering face emoticon)…

So for your benefit mum Tinder is a dating app where you have pictures of yourself, set what type of person you want to meet (age, gender, proximity to you) and get the appropriate pictures to swipe left (means no) or swipe right (means yes) on. It is pretty superficial. If you like a picture of someone that likes you it is a ‘match’ and you can chat on the messenger page. You can also ‘unmatch’ people who you haven’t spoken to/haven’t spoken to you or you are no longer interested in.

In Chris’s opinion, every single 20 something Londoner is on Tinder. So what is there to be ashamed of? For me, it is a failure to meet someone ‘normally’. Well what is normal? The internet and apps are pretty damn normal these days. I’ve also moved a lot so I find that my circles are small and familiar. Not places to meet new potential boyfriends! I, like so many others am also busy! I work in the day, train in the evening and at weekends I have friends and family to see. That doesn’t leave a huge opportunity to do other things which would lead to meeting new people. I am also less likely to meet people ‘out out’ as I try to not party and drink too much (stop laughing people that know me).

I’d also heard the stories about Tinder – not to mention know people who use it that were not say what I was looking for. Safe to say I set my age and location limits carefully (also bearing in mind my new year’s reso of 24 years old plus only). But so far I have to say it has not lived up to its somewhat unsavoury name! I have chatted to guys in similar positions to myself; busy and not managing to meet people in the conventional manner.

I also discovered an alternative use to the app. I read an article about ‘tinder travellers’ which is when travellers (solo or groups) use Tinder to source a local tour guide or companion (or hook up if you’re being a cynic)! What a great idea! I then came across a guy who’d put his location to Edinburgh but lived in Dublin and asked why he’d been on my Tinder what with my 50 km limit. It turned out this was what he was doing. He asked for recommendations of places to go, had good chat and seemed harmless. I’d totally do this if I were travelling (being careful of course) – there’s definitely something to be said for a local tour guide.

Anyway it was all going well. Chat was moving towards dates and it was a laugh. My housemate and I would go on my Tinder and he’d try to guess which way I would swipe etc. He wasn’t very impressed and said I was easy to guess because I go for obvious attractive people! Well sorry! And then I got unmatched. To use a phrase I am a fan of I was abruptly furious! Don’t get me wrong, I’d unmatched people too (double standards – tell me something I don’t know) but this guy had been chatting with me and seemed pretty friendly and interested. And then I looked back and realised I’d probably been a little rude, abrupt and insensitive (all traits of mine I am afraid)… so I totally deserved it and may be just a little bit nicer in future. Being unmatched was not the best feeling even if it doesn’t actually mean much in reality.

So there you go. I am in the dating albeit Tinder, dating game. For my next blog… ‘My first Tinder date’ *insert crying with laughter emoticon*.

#girlsthatlift

Despite the crying with laughter emoticons I am receiving from my skeleton pals regarding my hashtag 'girls that lift' this is a serious blog! Today in the gym I was paid two compliments; 1) You look tanned (yes, this is a compliment to me) and 2) your arms look big. Number 2 was met with a look of horror from me whilst Alex (S+C coach) tried to retract what he meant (something about improved posture!). But he was serious and meant what he said as a compliment. Unfortunately my arms (which for those of you that don't know are quite big for a girl) are an area which whilst I'd rather they were the way they are than flabby do make me feel self-conscious.

So yes. I am going to talk about female bodies in sport and in general hence the tongue in cheek title #girlsthatlift.

Where do I begin?

First of all I'd like to say that I do lift. So I have nothing against other women that do - in fact I think it's great that so many women embrace weight training because quite simply it's awesome. The growing popularity in cross-fit, weight training, bikini modelling all go some way to break down the stigma that the free weights are for men and women who lift are manly. However, the idea that you can be athletic, strong AND feminine is still challenged as are the women that play sport or use weights to train.

As a sportswoman myself I take great pride in my physique. And I am happy with the way I look; I wouldn't change a thing right now because it works for me and I need this body to achieve my goals in sport. But yes, like many other sportswomen I do worry about how I look in a crop top which shows abs, or a pair of skinny jeans which expose muscular thighs etc. etc. However, I am also well aware that women look at me or other sporty women with envy wishing they could have a flat stomach or toned arms. It's a tricky one because at the end of the day my body works for me and so what if a man at a bar comments on my bicep? If he prefers a bingo wing he is clearly not the man for me! On the flipside the sexualisation of women in sport is also upsetting, it's 2015 for goodness sake! But that's another blog.

When I look at my instagram for instance I see so many examples of women who are strong and attractive. Bikini models, yoga lovers, fellow sportswomen. They are all working their bodies hard on a daily basis to achieve their dream - why do people feel the need to make rude comments about their muscles or broad shoulders? Who would rather have a flat pancake bum over some actual shape and distinction between back and legs!? Not me. Or a muffin top over a toned stomach - who doesn't want Jess Ennis' abs? Not even mentioning that the training and diet that helps achieve these physiques is far superior to a lifestyle of no exercise and poor eating habits. Who will suffer more health problems - not the person that exercises on a regular basis and eats well. And don't even get me started on mental health - exercise works wonders for confidence, stress and anxiety management and general happiness.

What does annoy me though are the so called 'celebrities' that plaster their instagram with workout videos/pictures and plates of food! I am trying not to be a hypocrite here (I have been known to do this) but I just feel it belittles the people that have worked their ass of for years, struggled with money to achieve their dream in sport yet get a fraction of the recognition that Millie Mackintosh gets for putting a video of her PT led, 1 hour (probably), posh gym workout. Worse than that are 'celebs' that make money from a fitness video their face is on (Charlotte Crosby I am talking about you). Everyone is entitled to exercise and I encourage everyone to do so just don't throw it in the faces of people that can't afford a personal chef and trainer to push you every step of the way. And earn it. So many of the 'celebs' I am ranting about will put the weight back on because the lifestyle it requires to maintain it is exactly the opposite - not maintainable. Let's praise men and women who for exercise/training/fitness is a way of life, a means to make a living or realise a dream not a fad.

Anyway back to sport! I am currently battling with the idea that I may have to increase my mass for skeleton (had to mention it). The trend nowadays for women in skeleton is to be bigger and weigh more. We joke that 'fat is fast' which isn't the case but skeleton as I am often informed is a gravity sport and the heavier you are the faster you fall. Now bearing in mind my comments a few paragraphs ago this shouldn't be an issue for me. My body is my equipment, my means to achieve in sport, I am totally pro strong women - why does it matter if I weigh a few extra kilograms? Well right now it does. Because right now I still feel feminine and attractive and I am fairly comfortable with the way I look. And it is a worry that that may change if I gain weight. So yes I am contradicting myself but I think it sums up a lot of issues that women in sport have to contend with regarding body image.

Everyone wants to be normal. The problem is there is no normal; not in sport or in real-life. I remember a campaign from a while back that photographed lots of different elite sportswomen to show that there is no 'type'. Models aren't normal either, nor are celebrities that so many women want to emulate the look of. Hashtags such as 'fitspo' and 'strongnotskinny' which supposedly promote healthy attitudes towards exercise and lifestyle do not feature normal women either! They show fitness model esque women with a thigh gap. Not too many regular beings or athletes have a thigh gap! I am not saying athlete's are normal either. We're not. But the sentiment in my opinion has a stronger message; be what you need to be to achieve your goals (whatever they are) and commit time and heart to it.

So in the spirit of this blog I am going to embrace the change and go eat a mug cake - it's bulking season!

The Liebster Award

I am happy to report this week has been a much better week and it isn't even finished yet! The highlight of my week was undoubtedly seeing McBusted at the Hydro in Glasgow with one of my friends from home!!!! We were massive fans when we were at school and saw McFly back in the day so it was a great excuse for her to come and visit!

McBusted!!! 

Anyway mid-week I got tagged in post by Freya Prentice; a friend from Bath. She is a modern pentathlete and has recently started a blog charting her 'Road to Rio' which I love to read so take a look. The post was titled the Liebster award which I'd never heard of so I was slightly confused but it is basically a bloggers chain letter (remember real chain letters - throwback!) so here are my answers,

1. What is your "go to" running route?



This is a tricky one as I do not actually run for any substantial length of time. My training is all speed and power based so my efforts are short and sharp - I am actually an awful runner! But my favourite spot for training is Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh where we run hills on cold Sunday mornings through winter! It's a stunning and often harsh location but I love it - it gets us out of Meadowbank (where I usually train) and out into the fresh air. Plus I love hill sprints so it is one of my best sessions even if it inevitably ends with half the group throwing up and the other half in heaps dotted about the hill.

2. What is your favourite blog to follow?
I don't actually follow too many blogs. My favourites are probably 'A yellow brick blog' which is a beauty and fashion blog by a girl I know from school; Kirstie Saunders. I like the way she writes and it is useful to pick up new tips and tricks as well as for product recommendations. I am totally useless beauty wise and spend my whole life in trainers and a tracksuit so I like reading her blog to feel girly! Another blog I like is 'A lifestyle choice' by a fellow athlete and Islander (although Jersey); Gemma Dawkins. Her instagram is also amazing. This blog is all about making good lifestyle choices for you and can be quite inspirational. Plus the recipes are amazing; I get serious food envy. I am a rubbish and boring cook so I try to pick up tips and advice from this blog so that I fuel better!

3. What is the best advice you ever received?
This is a really tough one! Mainly because I am really bad at taking advice! Recently the best advice I have received is to be assertive and ask for help if you need it. I also like sayings such as 'Ask yourself if what you're doing today is getting you closer to where you need to be tomorrow' sort of things. They are everywhere on Insta etc. but sometimes they just really resonate so I remember them.

4. Who is/are your favourite training partner(s) in life or running?

Sarah and I during WWT '14

My training partner Sarah Warnock is my fav :) She's a Scottish long jumper and competed at the Commonwealth Games last year in Glasgow. She has already PB'd this year and I am excited to see what she does in the summer! She has a good attitude to training, is argumentative and driven! All good things in my opinion :) she is also a great friend and looks after me up here in Scotland! I can't not mention James Groocock either. He's one of my oldest friends and we trained together from the age of 14 or so up to 22! We don't see each other very often now but always get together for our annual Boxing Day session at home where we jump the fence at our home track. Ah and of course my Skeleton teammates (Maddy, Ellie, Brogan, Hannah, Tim, Craig, Chris and Marcus) because only they know what it is like to face a track you've never slid and do it anyway!

Sarah in CWG action (she'll kill me for this!)

5. What is your dream job?
I feel very fortunate to say I have my dream job! I work as an exercise physiologist for sportscotland. I work with high performing elite athletes and coaches supporting their programmes to help make them better athletes. It is what I have wanted to do since I went to an athletics camp when I was 13 and met a sport scientist there. I'd like to work solely in one sport in the future and also abroad. My sister in currently living in Aus and I'd like to work there as they were the guys that really got sport science going.

At work in the Games Village last summer

6. What music/songs are on your workout playlist?
I only really ever listen to music when I am rehabbing and doing bike sessions in the gym. But my playlist consists of stuff from Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne, Rudimental, Calvin Harris, Gorgon City etc. I think my no. 1 choice would be Rhianna and Calvin Harris 'We found love'. It is just so good for sprints!

7. What food/drink/habit/item could you never give up?
Food - it's cliche but I don't think I could live without chocolate. Especially at Easter time - I am addicted to Malteaster bunnies! Drink - this is a tough one between gin and tea!! As I am an athlete I'll say I'd have to give up gin over tea (wow - that's a bold statement). Habit - being bossy. I couldn't stop this if I tried. Item - my cuddly toy rabbit Pancakes. I know I am 26 but she is quite simply my fav and always makes me feel better (I think I need a boyfriend!!).

Pancakes (on the right) and her pal Monkey in Igls

8. What inspires you the most to keep running and training?

I really love training; I don't think I'd ever stop being physically active. Even when I wasn't competing in LJ I never stopped training 5-6 times a week. It is just what I do. But training to be the best you can be with aims to be elite/the best in the world does require a whole new level of sacrifice and commitment. And what inspires me to live this way is the possibility that one day I could compete in an Olympic Games. It's that simple. That is the dream and whatever happens along the way would be worth it.

And that's it - thanks Freyja :) Eight questions. I nominate Gemma Dawkins and Katie McGibbon. 

Happy blogging x

Back to Reality

I have been back in Scotland now for about a week and a half. And it hasn't been an easy transition back into life here as I know it. It has shocked me a little but then I guess that having been away basically since before Christmas means that it was always going to take a little time to get back into the swing of things.

Firstly, I was home almost a week early than I expected. And I was injured. Two things I hadn't banked on. I got home on Tuesday eve and went to work on Wednesday. I'd always planned to go straight back to work; it's not like I have any spare leave to take! But what I didn't think about is that if I'd come home with the others on a Saturday I would have had Saturday eve and Sunday before work on Monday. So I lost a few days of R+R. But I usually run about full steam ahead so I didn't even think about it and just powered on.

I got some physio a few days after being back so was able to get my ankle rehab underway which was good. But I was suffering from the travel and not having the luxury of resting on a regular basis because of work. In Lillehammer I was driven about quite a lot (to dinner etc.) and I didn't do all the track walks and other physical activities meaning I could rest. So reality was a lot tougher on my ankle. But I took the best care of it that I could. Icing it under the desk at work, getting the bus into town rather than walking and working hard on my rehab.

The next weird thing hit home at the weekend. I wanted to see people I'd missed over the past few months but I had no friends :( well let me rephrase that... none of my friends were free to make plans with! Of course I wasn't expected to be home and life goes on when you're away. It's very arrogant that you expect people to be there waiting for you to get back and available to spend time with you. All my friends are successful, busy people with social lives so it is not a personal insult that they were not able to drop all plans and come keep me company. But you do sort of expect people to be wanting to see you - and they were. We just needed to find time. So I spent the weekend by myself getting life back together (I did 3 clothes washes) and running errands (shopping!) It worked out pretty well to be honest as it gave my ankle some time to rest up.

 A lot of washing :(

Just as I was beginning to get bored of my 'relaxing' weekend my housemate Lizzie got ill. I won't say it was a welcome distraction but it was a distraction. Looking after her took up most of Sunday afternoon and evening and culminated in a hospital trip at 12:50 am Monday morning!! We didn't get home until 6 am. Poor Lizzie and so much for my weekend of R+R. Anyway as she'd had a sickness bug I was advised to be wary of coming down with it over the next few days. So I took Monday off work to sleep and work at home so as not to risk passing anything on to anyone else. Lizzie went to her Mum's to be looked after and as I'd felt fine all Monday I went to work on Tuesday thinking I'd escaped this bug and rather proud of my immune system.

Famous last words. Two good training sessions and two meals out (late nights) later I woke up on Thursday feeling rubbish! No nausea or anything extreme just achy (that I couldn't pass of as DOMS) and super tired. Not like me at all. So I have spent the last few days trying to rest and stave off anything worse coming along. Luckily with my job I can work from home which saves a 2 h commute and is also good for my colleagues so they don't have to come into contact with any bug.

I'd say I am pretty much back to normal today. I have eaten meals (well a pizza) rather than just breakfast food and am wanting tea again. I also went to town and didn't need to sleep after (I needed a 2h nap after walking to the shop yesterday). My ankle has also benefited from not really moving the past few days and the swelling is all but gone and I have managed to progress my rehab. But what have I learned from this past week or so?

My same size ankles 

Shopping Haul (all Primark and New Look at least)

Skeleton training camps are stressful. Physically and emotionally. And I need to respect that and when possible give myself time to recuperate. I went through a lot of stress in Lillehammer. Because I was injured a lot of the time I was by myself and worrying about the implications of not sliding on selection. I also didn't know whether I'd be sent home or not almost until it happened and I do not enjoy not knowing the plan. Because I'd hurt myself I am not physically where I am used to being. So I need to be patient with rehab and progression. My mid-week sessions off the back of a lack of sleep and with regards to my ankle were probably too heavy.

Illness is a funny thing. I'm still reluctant to say I have been ill. I haven't been bedridden, nor have I needed a doctor or medication beyond paracetamol. But I knew I wasn't myself, not 100%. And all I can conclude is that my body did what it could to make me slow down/stop because it needed it. I'm glad I listened. And hopefully I won't need to get 'ill' in order to take better care of myself in future. Luckily the Skeleton World Championships, Davis Cup and European Indoor Athletics Championships have all been on this weekend so I have had plenty to keep me entertained. Thank goodness for live streaming, laptops, iPad's and HDMI cables.

Skeleton v Athletics