Hello Norway

First impressions?? 

There's a lot more green than I expected. No snow as we landed in Oslo :( and also the predominant colour is grey - the sky in particular. It's dark and it's 3:30pm. It's also very Christmassy feeling. The airport had Christmas decorations and there are Christmas trees growing everywhere!! 

Got to the arrivals and no one to meet me :( they were getting the cars! Felt a little lonely but I soon got rescued and was reunited with the girls and coaches :)

It's not too cold. About 1degree Celsius! Positively warm ha but I do have about 4 layers on and a huge scarf/rug. Luckily I'm not driving the cars to Lillehammer which is about 2 hours away. We worked out the sat nav, how to get out of the car park, what side of the road to drive on etc and we were off. 

There's an element of tension and anticipation amongst the team. More so than Bath. It feels different, like every man for themselves. Not in a negative way. It's just a feeling and it's true anyway. This is crunch time. Not all of us are going through. 

We've moved in. We are staying in lovely albeit small log cabins. I'm sharing with four others; 3 of whom are in the same room - cosy. Dinner not so great. A strange creamy sauce with some frankfurters in, chips and salad... Seconds consisted of hot dogs. Not quite the nutritious meal I'd hoped for. The GB Europa cup and ICC teams are here racing. It was so intimidating walking  in with them all sat there. Such newbies!! 

After a helmet fitting (!) we were done for the day. So we've just been chilling (I've actually unpacked). Chat has inevitably led to boys and Alice shared this gem which has become my quote of the day... 

'He put his hand on my leg and it was so massive I was like oh my god this is amazing' LOL

And on that note, goodnight x 

#power2podium: time to slide

I've checked in .... On Facebook to Edinburgh airport. So it's official. No turning back now, I am off to Lillehammer. And over the next few days will have taken my first run down the track there. Gulp. I've got my padding (a mat), shoe goo to protect my toes(!), baggy jumper to slow me down, copious amounts of painkiller, enough chocolate to feed all 10 of us and most importantly a nervous excited feeling in my belly :)

I can see the aeroplane from departures and am just waiting to board. I've organised my notes on the track to learn during the flight. I managed to get my 21.9kg case on the plane for no extra cost. I didn't spend any money in Kurt Geiger (20% sale). I even left work in a reasonable state. Just one thing that I didn't get done. 

The past few days were hectic to say the least. A lot of obstacles (mainly work) to overcome and a mad dash to sort out my currency. Countless checks that I have my passport and ticket. Some serious airport fear about how much my bag weighs.

So that's me. They just called boarding. Next time I write I'll be in Norway. Probably should have checked out the language!! Can't even say hello or thank you. I'll try to learn but most importantly do my very best to make the team. 

Laters x 

Skeleton chat: Feel not think

T minus 3 days .... *******!?!!

Regram from Brogan. Doesn't the track and the lights looks beautiful. 

Seriously though, I can't wait! This is what it has all been about. I'm looking forward to seeing the girls and the staff again and having a roller coaster of a two weeks in Lillehammer :) I don't know what's going to happen but I'm going to enjoy and 'feel' the experience.

So what have I been doing to prepare? 

I have been thinking and talking mainly. It's quite a hot topic and I'm often asked about it when I see people. I have been humbled by how much support I have and how much people believe in me which is lovely and helps me have courage. Even work colleagues that I am not particularly close to have emailed to say good luck/you're mad! 

Anyway talking about my prep is a good opportunity to say thank you to some of the people that have helped me on my 'journey' so far. 

Training (body).

My coaches and training partners have helped get me faster over the past few weeks. No longer am I resembling a slug! But more so they have put up with/ignored my irrational moaning when I'm not allowed to do a 50s run or when I have to run 1/2 the distance compared to everyone else! They constantly remind me what I am working towards which really helps keep my focus. In the gym likewise. The strength and conditioning guys at work (East, West and Central - I am such a gym slut) all assist my training whether it's helping me move a weight/set up an exercise or offering me alternative exercises if I am unable to do what I'm set. They allow me to train in world class facilities alongside world class athletes. I just try to fit in! Colleagues that are physios have been brilliant too; offering me advice and helping mend my very old lady like hips.

 Training (mind).

Last week I was lucky enough that two of my colleagues offered to help me with the non-physical aspects of what I'm going to be doing. 

The first session was sort of life coaching. We were looking bigger picture to the journey ahead trying to answer questions I had. This was hard. It was very probing and I often didn't know what I was trying to answer. But we got there and I feel a new sense of purpose. The key thing for me is to stop thinking and just feel when I am sliding and in the winter sport environment. I've done all the thinking. It can't help me much more. I am committed to giving it 100% and enjoying the experience. 

Next a colleague and friend helped me with strategies to handle myself and others in the environment. I identified challenges and she helped me work out how to cope/manage them. I feel much more confident about my ability to cope in the environment now. I still don't know how I will find sliding but that's ok. Not long to go anyway. The key is to not burn out or crack - relaxation will be key. 

Shopping (and a lot of borrowing).

Obviously. So I had no ski/cold weather kit. Nothing. Cue a Facebook plea and I'm completely kitted out. So a big thank you to everyone that donated or offered :) a particular highlight was being given a bag of Sochi Olympic kit to borrow!! Talk about motivating me to go out and nail it - earn that kit for myself one day! I have also done a little shopping (couldn't resist). My amazon/eBay past purchases make for some interesting reading these days. Icers, shoe goo, spikes, yoga mat, gum shield, Christmas jumper (yes it's happening), mechanical pencils... Not your typical shopping spree! I did also do  a Decathlon shop which my friend Tracy paid for as I'd forgotten my purse haha (convenient)!!

Yep these bad boys are coming with me.

There's also been a fair amount of food stocking up during the weekly shop. This culminated tonight during my Aldi shop with 3 bars of chocolate (in case of emergency)! At least a 1/4 of my bag is food/protein. :)

And finally, packing.

Track and field athletes will know what I mean when I say how easy it is to pack for warm weather training camps. Right. Well this is as hard as that is easy. 

Cold weather kit is so massive!! The shoes for starters are monstrous; especially with my size 7's!! And we've got all sorts of equipment too as well as entertainment for the eve e.g iPad, speakers etc and of course a first aid kit. I'm rather proud of mine.

I'm taking (don't laugh) a 20kg bag for the hold, 10 kg in a (borderline) hand baggage case AND my rucksack (personal bag eh). I might just manage it all! I'm definately going for comfort over style and diversity. My causal clothing is going to be interesting to say the least. Think joggers plus dressing gown and bed socks. Strong look. I am banking on us not going out much. 

Some of my food :) yum yum 

So that's me almost ready to go. Passport is located, I'll finish packing Wednesday and hopefully will tie everything up at work so I can leave stress free (wishful)! Just the small matter of being pushed off the ice on a tea tray to contend with now. 

Feel not think. I'll keep you posted. 

7 photos that make me smile

Mummy and family, Christmas 2012

So not actually a great photo! We are all looking at different cameras obviously BUT this was the last time we were all together for Christmas. Samantha (second left) my sister was away last Christmas and will be again this year which is sad. We always miss her a lot at Christmas time as our Christmases are very family orientated.

Jayne's 24th birthday - Baywatch fancy dress

I was living in Loughborough at the time and it was July; usually not a time for going out (athletics season!). However, Jayne and I were both injured and a lot of people needed to blow off steam re Olympics and disappointments so we thought fuck it. What a night! The picture is taken in my room which had the front door in and also includes Abi - a pole vaulter and in my training group. She's not usually one for fancy dress (understatement) but she seemed to enjoy Baywatch.

MSc Graduation - Loughborough University, 2012

Yes graduation was a major day. By December 2012 we'd all been through the mill for various reasons. 2011-12 was definitely a testing year for Harriet, Charlotte and I (housemates at the time). So we were just thrilled to be through it but at the same time the realities of job hunting had hit. But I just love this photo because it sums us up perfectly - chaos.

Leopold love

Another Loughborough pic - sorry! No prizes for guessing where I had the most fun! Harriet and I were strangers when we moved into Leopold street. Here we are during one of our infamous pre-drinks at the house not a clue why I am on top of her but in hysterics! And that's why we became and are best friends. 

Athletics comeback with a little (a lot of help from Sarah)

2014 was my comeback. I didn't compete between 2012-13 but with support from my new training group in Edinburgh, coaches, friends and colleagues I entered my first LJ comp in 2 years in January 2014. I don't smile when I think back to the competition; it wasn't great. But I like this photo because it is Sarah and I both disgruntled with our performances that day just having a little 'we're fed up moment' and it was hilariously caught on camera.

Charlotte's wedding summer 2014

Charlotte is one of my oldest friends. She and I went to the same school from the age of 11. We also had the same first job and were basically part of each others families. She has far too many stories to tell about me - all that are hilarious; at my expense. Anyway she married her 'fit boy Luke' this summer and it was just such a beautiful ceremony, celebration and day. I could not have been happier for them. In the picture are all the girls from school that were there and honestly it was like we had never left. Old friends are the best.

Daddy and family: Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo August 2014

My dad brought my two youngest brothers up during the summer and this was a selfie we took just before the heavens opened and we got drenched for a solid hour and half! But it was the last night of a really great week with them so it always puts a big smile on my face.

So, there you are. I was asked to select 5 photos that made me happy. 7 was the minimum I managed. And I could probably pick 50 and still want more. Family and friends is the unofficial theme - I am a people person and will never get the same satisfaction from anything material compared to good times with people. And these lot mean everything to me. But of course I haven't managed to get everyone important in - it was an impossible task. So take 10 minutes and have a look through your snaps - free smiles for you!

FOMO

FOMO...
I only heard this acronym a few months ago. It means fear of missing out.

fomo

"fear of missing out". The fear that if you miss a party or event you will miss out on something great

Even though he was exhausted, John's fomo got the best of him and he went to the party.

Urban dictionary definition:












Sound familiar? I am a massive culprit of succumbing to fomo. Equally I get anxious and am uncomfortable when I don't have plans. Something that no doubts contributes to my susceptibility to fomo when something is on.

Where has this come from? This inability to say no to an event when you know you have to prioritise something else? Or feeling like we have to be constantly busy and have jam packed social schedules.

For me? Well I like to be busy. Ask anyone that knows me. My mum and nans in particular are constantly begging me to slow down and make sure I relax take some down time. But I don't. I genuinely like being on the go 24/7 and actually am not very good at all at just stopping and doing nothing. And I don't think I am alone. A normal week for me is 7/8 am starts and 7/8 pm finishes which includes driving 90 ish miles most days, working and then training. That's Monday to Friday. Sometimes I'll have social commitments after training too e.g. birthdays or seeing friends/boyfriend. So you'd think I might take the weekend to recuperate because to be honest it is relentless.

Oh no. Weekends are for fun! My past 4 weekends have been either away (which really does take it out of me) or spent in Edinburgh with said friends. Last weekend in particular was heavy - a double birthday celebration and I had several people staying at mine. I really feel it on a Monday and then by Thursday I'm shattered as I haven't been able to switch off at all. But at the same time the thought of doing nothing one Saturday does not appeal to me in the slightest. Life is for living right?

And I think this is where is starts for me anyway. The fomo and the inability to stop. I don't want to get to 30 or 40 and wonder what I spent my 20's and 30's doing. I really believe that life changes when you get a serious partner and kids (especially kids) and whilst I have no plans for either of those things I hope one day it will happen and I will embrace the change because I have lived my single/irresponsible life with satisfaction. I think this is magnified in me because I have a paranoia that because I spent my teens and Uni years thinking I was 'an athlete' (not a bad thing) but it meant that and to be honest still means that a good deal of my time is committed to training and a competitive season. So no travels over summer, minimal (?!) nights out, eating well, surrounding yourself with like minded people possibly restricting your experiences. It isn't your typical existence - but to be honest knowing typical 20 year olds that was never going to be me anyway!

However, one thing I and I am sure plenty of other people cannot deny is the inevitable slump/emotional breakdown at some point or another when you have this sort of lifestyle. For me it can be triggered by having no milk when I need a cup of tea, or when coach is critical of a technique in the gym (you know who you are!), or really bad traffic. An event of small importance leads to an instant breakdown, tears, and me seeking a cuddle! When this happens I know I HAVE TO STOP. And usually I do - my housemate used to make sure of it. She probably knew when it was coming too (sorry T Dog). If only I had less fomo and a greater ability to preempt when I am near my limits. Well it is coming actually. Usually one to train, train, train and not miss an exercise I recognised this week that I was near to my tipping point and to the absolute shock of my coach and training partner agreed to miss out part of Thursday's session! Progress. I still had fomo though - just the training guilt variety.

And this weekend, I have no plans. Well actually that's a lie. I had no plans as of last night (Friday). I now do but it's pretty low key - rugby, fireworks, training, lunch (I promise that's low key for me). I understand the importance of rest and recovery; I spent much of my job persuading athletes that it is OK to rest and that recovery is paramount. But of course taking my own advice is too hard! The thing is we are not computers, we do not have a constant power supply. We need like batteries to recharge and then go again (preferably not to flat). Life is a constant stream of temptation (well if you live in Edinburgh anyway) but we would probably all do well to say no once in a while - because missing one event is not going to be the end of the world - there will be others (I am going to try to remember that when Christmas party season comes around). I know I for one am a much nicer, less grumpy person when I have slept properly for a few nights as opposed to not. It isn't rocket science. So I am going to try to look after myself - for my own sake and others'. It's a lesson I am sure a lot of people would benefit from - maybe a new years resolution to bear in mind?! 2015 - a new relaxed you?

SAY NO TO FOMO
(haha sorry that just came to me)

Countdown to Lillehammer

2 weeks, 2 days.

My ticket arrived today!! And my birthday has passed so the next big thing on my radar is Lillehammer on the 20th November.

Amongst other things to do in prep e.g. get time off work (minor) I need to get a load of warm weather/ski gear for the trip. Unfortunately I have never been skiing so don't own anything that might be useful. Luckily, I have a training partner who is ex bobsleigh so she has started to kit me out.

Gill (ex bobsleigh) also brought me the most thoughtful gift for my birthday! And here it is.....

Skeleton Survival Kit!

From left to right

1. Shampoo and conditioner to wash the day out of my hair

2. Hydration sachets as despite the cold we are going to sweat bucket loads

3. Plasters for when I am battered and bruised

4. Kendall mint cake for when I am getting hangry

5. Emergency tea for when it all gets too much

6. Emergency clothes cleaning wipes for when I miss the wash run

7. Table game for when we need to unwind and forget about corner 13

So I am pretty much prepped. Sprint training has stepped up; I am no longer allowed to do 50 s runs. I've been lifting for the past few weeks, enjoying being back under the bar in lifting shoes.The rest of my group start jumping this week but I am sticking to hills and sleds. I also have some plans to do some mental preparations. Time will fly and before I know it I will be at corner 3 in Lillehammer head first facing down the track ready to be pushed off! Who knows how it will go - well I hope. But for now it's all about the prep.

The curse of the mobile phone

Recently I have found myself getting annoyed with the amount of time people (including myself) spend staring in to their mobile phone screen. So I am going to have a moan about it!

You wouldn't read a book or magazine in someone else's company so why is it now acceptable to scroll through your Twitter timeline when spending time with another person? I think it is rude and whilst I am 100% a culprit of spending too much time on my phone I like to think that I do not use it excessively when in someone else's company.

Don't get me wrong. If you've got to answer a call or reply to a text that isn't the end of the world. But I notice that this isn't the case. I spend time with plenty of people who ignore you in favour of social media/Whatsapp/Tinder/Vine. How sad is that? Are we all now so consumed with the quite frankly bullshit people post online (I know I do) that we lose perspective on life, spending less and less time interacting with actual human beings?! Now here is when I start to sound old (I turned 26 on Saturday) but it is a much bigger issue with younger people (I'm crying inside that I no longer count as one of them). A constant attachment to the end of their arm; it's like it would be the end of the world if they missed a tweet/status update/instagram post! And what does any of it matter?

This leads me on to my next rant.... social media embellishment! The thing is what people are obsessing over isn't even a true reflection of life. Take my sister for example (sorry Samantha) but she is one of the worst for this. She has been travelling for the past who knows how long and when she's off 'gallavanting' e.g. sky diving, bungee jumping, trekking, partying you cannot get away from her on social media. Recently however, it has been quiet - no action in comparison. And the reason why? She's got  a job because she ran out of money - it's not glamorous so we don't get it plastered over social media. But she is doing what she needs to to get to the next part of her trip - so  fair play.

Anyway back to mobile phones... I think it reflects the pace we live life at today. I mean if you don't look at Twitter for a day you've potentially missed 500 million tweets (that's how many are sent a day!). Imagine what you'd miss in an hour - still a huge amount. Breaking news, celebrity beef, sports results, music announcements, competitions, scientific breakthroughs, pertinent research findings! They are all being announced more and more via Twitter. I often claim that everything I know about 'what is happening in the World' is via Twitter and I am not lying; I don't watch the news or read newspapers. I get it. It is incredible what a platform social media can be.

BUT DON'T PERSISTENTLY USE IT IN THE PRESENCE OF ACTUAL HUMAN BEINGS.

One of my biggest hates is online videos. Think Vine or Facebook. Where does the need come from that requires someone to catch up on the videos from the day? They do not (in the most part) educate, inform or affect someone for the better. They are entertaining (to a certain audience), yes. But oh my word what a waste of time! Why not spend some time engaging with the person sat next to you? Oh wait it's your girl/boyfriend, even 'just' a friend, or your mum, sister? Well I am sure they would appreciate some interaction because that's what we thrive on. There is always a lot of chat about whether or not the art of conversation is a lost art; I believe so. Not in the sense of 'why don't we all chat on the tube instead of staring at our phones' but in terms of being able to sit around a table or on a sofa and hold an engaging conversation.

You see it the most in children; sadly I see it in my younger brothers. No longer out 'playing', climbing trees or pretending to be horses (yes I was a weird kid), kids sit engrossed in a screen not talking to one another (if there is even anyone there). I'm sounding old again but I don't care. Child obesity is a MASSIVE (excuse the pun) issue. And it is not all about the price of fruit and veg because I ate a lot of crap as a kid as I was stick thin, my knees the biggest part of my legs! But I played everyday - out and about not sat on my bottom. I also chatted with my friends about boys, sex, worries, school etc. rather than turning to my phone for answers. We grew up together. A far healthier way to grow up wouldn't you agree?

Could this be why depression, stress or anxiety is on the rise? Probably not - there are bigger issues in the World today that affect mental health but can it be healthy to constantly feel the need to appear better than you are on social media? Or feel that your life is inferior compared to Mrs. next door who has put her cruise pictures online whilst you worry about paying the next electricity bill. And how about the husband/wife that sits on their phone instead of cooking you a meal or chatting about a TV show that it on? How does that foster a happy marriage? In my opinion it cannot. Probably the opposite - sexting anyone? Jealousy, resentment, anger can fester from the smallest things.
Wow what a tangent.

Technology is scary. And it will continue to grow at an exponential rate; we cannot do anything about it. And to be honest I don't think we should - it is an amazing thing. Imagine the iPhone not existing? What would you do if lost with no one to help? You can check the weather or Google at the smallest touch, run your calendar and emails without a laptop/diary or catch up on that X factor performance you missed at the weekend. It is convenience and it is ok. I just think we need to remember (and in all aspects of life) that people are what matter. Real, tangible people that we can touch, love and share experiences with. That cannot and does not compare to anything on social media. I mean without people what pictures would we insta? Who would we tweet? We've just got to not lose sight of the people in life. I tweeted probably a thousand times over the weekend. It was my birthday and I'd been excited about it so naturally I expressed this on social media. But at the centre of my excitement and what I was expressing was the occasion that meant I was seeing ALOT of my favorite people, some of whom I do not always see very often. People matter. And I had a great weekend spending time with them (as you can see on SM!).

So if you're reading this on your phone or tablet right now put it down (I won't be offended) and ask the person next to you how they are, how their day has been, or what they think about the Geordie Shore episode that is currently on TV!

And next time you're out to dinner put the phones in a pile on the table. First one to reach out pays the bill!