How do you train for skeleton in the summer?

It's the middle of June. The ice has melted in Europe so there is no 'sliding' to be had. Our last camp was in February so what do we do until we go back out on ice - October ish time?

It is simple. We train. To be successful at skeleton you have to be fast and powerful as well as a good driver. The summer is when you're able to work on the physical aspect really hard. As part of the British Skeleton Talent squad I, along with the other seven athletes have to attend camps in Bath - one a month over the summer.

The May camp had a review/preview focus and involved some testing which I unfortunately could not take part in because of my ankle injury. The June camp starts tomorrow and runs until Friday. From the timetable it looks very physically demanding - double training sessions most days as well as workshops and testing. Fortunately my ankle is all healed. I have been really fortunate to receive physiotherapy support from British Skeleton via the sportscotland institute of sport where I work. This had made a massive difference as before when I was controlling my own return to training I found it stressful having to make decisions.

Tim, Craig, Marcus and myself arrived in Bath this evening. We are all staying with Olly - Maddy's boyfriend who is also a bobsleigh driver. It's a pretty good set up as we are used to all being around each other from winter. It was actually weird in May when we were all staying separate - it felt like we didn't see much of each other. Ellie lives in Bath so we will see her at training and then Brogan will join us on Wednesday. It is just Chris who isn't here because he is on placement at a school (he is studying a PGCE).

Another bonus of staying with Olly is that is keeps the cost down. These camps are not funded by British Skeleton so we pay our own way. SportsAid, a charity that supports up and coming sportsmen and women have however awarded us with some financial support for the summer so this is a massive help and big thanks to them! For me the money will mainly go on travel and food. A flight from Edinburgh is £100 ish during the summer months so my travel expenses are pretty high.

Warming up for a push camp with some golf

I do like to make the most of trips down to England though and usually try to extend the trips to see friends or family. This camp coincided with my brother, Richard's 21st birthday which was very good timing! I have been able to spend the weekend with him in Bristol - he had a BBQ on Friday which I flew down to from work and then we spent the weekend doing a bit of sightseeing. We went to the Clifton Suspension Bridge and played part of a round of golf. I really enjoyed the bridge but am horrendous at golf - I snapped two tees in half and my PB was a bogie - I didn't even make a par! I think I'll stick to skeleton!

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Anyway bed time soon. Things kick off tomorrow at 10 am which is a pretty late start for skeleton - I'll blog every day of this camp so check in to see how it goes!

The tee suffered from my technique