| Biography |
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It was at the age of 10 that I got my first taste of competition (not that I didn't race every single training session.....and still do at times) and remember winning the club championships and then the Derbyshire County Championships in Sheffield. It was at this point I realised that I had a little bit of sporting talent and started to really work away in the pool and by 2000 had over 40 County Championship medals to my name.
I must have started to take note of triathlon in 2000, as I remember staying up to watch the Sydney Olympics at some silly hour. The specific moment (I) made the decision to become a triathlete is still quite clear. I had done a few ‘fun' runs in Sheffield along with the odd school cross country (which I hated!!), when I met Rob Owen, a very accomplished runner and age-group triathlete. Rob is one of those ‘gift of the gab' types and within 24hours I found myself at my first Sheffield Tri Club training session and on my way........ My first Triathlon was the Bassetlaw District Sprint in 2001. I was racing against Dann Brook (currently one of my best friends and still a member of the British squad today) who was one of the junior stars of triathlon at the time. My swim, as I expected was pretty swift in the pool and I raced through transition to put on my t-shirt, shoes and mounted my bikes as if it were some kind of horse nearly leaping straight over in my excitement. I honestly felt I was riding okay - I didn't dare ride on my tribars though - until Dann passed me after 10k despite starting 5 minutes behind. With a genuine look of concern he asked, in the short space of time he was within talking distance of me, if I was ‘okay?' Was I really that bad? Anyway, a good kicking never does anyone any harm, especially a young arrogant wanabee and I was determined to master the sport!! I have always been one of those academic types. I got good GCSE's gained a scholarship to Private school for my A-levels and was planning my life as a corporate London city lawyer! This was completely flipped upside down in 2003! I decided to take a gap year before taking my place a Durham University to study law. I was living with all the World Class boys, on the World Class squad with World Class facilities at Loughborough. Triathlon heaven. I improved drastically throughout that year and by the National junior championships I was 4th and qualified for the World Junior Champs in Queenstown, New Zealand. After talking it over with my parents, close friends and my coaches I decided to transfer to a degree in Politics at Loughborough and try my very best to make a life out of something I loved and love so much - can you blame me? |
I actually owe a fair amount to someone I don't even know. About 45 years ago (sorry mum) some horrible little child at a school swimming session decided it would be fun to hold a poor girl under the water for as long as possible - the poor girl was my mother. From this point on, a fear of swimming and water compelled my parents to literally throw me in the pool the moment I popped out. I have been swimming for longer than I can remember, mainly for Eckington Swimming Club, which, despite only been a tiny little village club, has actually won the national ‘Diddy League' final.
The great thing about Triathlon is that hard work really does pay off.....genetics might get you on your way, however, talent will only take you so far and many an athlete has fallen by the way side through lack of commitment to doing the tedious hours it takes. Unfortunately for me, genetics plays some what more of a role in swimming. Ian Thorpe, Michael Phelps, Alexander Popov.....all fantastic swimmers....all over 6' tall and built like you know what. I (although very proud to surpass my fathers 5'4 at the age of 11) stopped growing at 5'9 and quickly lost interest in a sport where I was starting the loose ground on those I had become accustomed to beating.