This was my life one year ago. The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. It epitomised everything I loved and worked for. Two weeks of working hard supporting Team Scotland and spectating hard in Glasgow in (mostly) good weather. It was special for many reasons; the Village, the atmosphere, my first games.. but also because SO many of my best friends were there competing either for Scotland, England, Isle of Man or Wales! I didn't know which country to rep! It was quite frankly the best summer professionally and personally - I thought I had the best job in the world and was so proud of all my friends and athletes.
It was weird though. Seeing people I used to train alongside (maybe sometimes beat!) competing in Hampden, representing their country, was hard because not too long ago the Glasgow 2014 CWG were my dream. And it was on that feeling that I wrote my very first blog. I'd fallen out of love with long jump and to an extent athletics - not getting the same enjoyment when I was unable to better performances I achieved as a teenager. But I was tentatively starting on a new journey and creating a new dream ... in skeleton. It was about this time last year when I found out I was through to phase 3 of a nationwide talent search for the next skeleton star #power2podium. Further assessments loomed and if they went well the opportunity to actually try the crazy sport...
Let's do the good stuff first!
I MADE IT. As any of you that have read this blog before will know I was selected into the British Skeleton Talent Squad - and I'm still there after a half season on ice and three summer camps! It has been a little up and down to say the least. But I got what I wanted. The chance to be an athlete again and achieve the ultimate dream of competing at an Olympic Games. It is not an exaggeration to say that it has changed my life. Away most of winter, making that work with a full-time and often demanding job and then monthly camps in Bath throughout the summer. Training has become a priority not a luxury again. Getting injured is no longer an 'oh well I'll just get on a bike' but a real stress as losing time in a brand new sport is just not an option. But all in all it is going great; yesterday (Saturday) marked the end of the first full week of training that I have been able to complete since probably before Christmas (due to injuries and being on season). And it hurt. But in a great way!! We are in a heavy strength phase so it is gym 3-4 times a week plus sprints, core, the basics and recovery. I'm not going to lie; the quads are growing and so is the ass! But I am trying to embrace it - although I am pretty upset that my brand new white jeans won't fit me in a few months (weeks??) time!! Mainly though, I am just excited to be pursuing my sporting dream once more. Being on the sidelines was fun; but if I am 100% honest it rather be on the track doing the business.
What else is going on?
Work. Physiology. Edinburgh.
I, like many of the athletes I work with do NOT have the luxury status of full-time athlete. I remain in the job that took me to the CWG last summer; exercise physiologist for the sportscotland institute of sport. It is still my dream job; it just hasn't been quite as dreamy. It is quite common at the end of a cycle for things to change in line with reviews. So this year has been to an extent maintaining status quo and has at times been frustrating and lacking the glamour of 2014. BUT some awesome things have happened too. I went away with a sport; rowing for the first time. And then got asked back - win! The Scottish Thistles (netball) also qualified for the Netball World Cup for the first time and leave for Tasmania (they will go onto Sydney) tonight! It has been an exciting and busy time for us as a support team but I am pretty confident they are well prepared!
I have now lived in Edinburgh for a year! Where has the time gone... and sadly I only have a month or so left here as I will move out for winter when I am away sliding (money issues!). But August is my favourite month as the Edinburgh Fringe comes to town and with it lots of fun and craziness! Now I know the city better I should be able to navigate the venues better and enjoy it even more. I have tried to make the most of the city and Scotland in general the past few months; frequenting many restaurants and a Cake Festival with a new man (he ticks the boxes of my Christmas wishlist) and visiting St Andrew's and Loch Lomond. I'd hate to leave not having done some sightseeing. My dad is due another visit soon too so that's the perfect excuse to see things that I haven't yet managed to - I think the Royal Britannia is on the cards.
St. Andrew's 2015 |
Loch Lomond with Katie |
That's me for tonight. I guess the main thing that inspired me to write about #oneyearon is that it is never too late to make a change and go for what you want. Not that I am old but 26 isn't the normal age to start a brand new sport especially when life it pretty good as it is. But I am happier for it and trying to strive for that elusive work-training balance and maybe an Olympic medal.
Life is about the journey.