It's now getting a lot colder, wetter and certainly windier here in Leeds which can only be an obvious sign of Winter approaching.
Wrapping up at it's finest; 4 layers consisting of jerseys, wind jackets and waterproofs, two pairs of gloves, thick socks and anything else you can find to have the slight hope of being somehow warm out on your bike for how many hours you'll be out for.
Nothing speaks gutted like the harsh realisation (especially uphill) of being greeted with a puncture. With numb hands and rain mixed with sweat in every place possible, it's hard to change an inner tube under 5 minutes - well, for me it is.
So far, in the time I've been back on my bike (not long at all) I think I've suffered around 6 punctures. One was walking with my bike to a turbo session. Long story short I found the culprit (a thorn) in my tyre which I was pleased to be rid of and hopefully that was the end of my puncture horrors.
Nope.
Puncture number 7 came today at the end of the ride but this time in my front wheel, by yet again, a thorn. Luckily there wasn't any rain which made the situation a little bit easier to laugh at. Mine and Jana's effort to repair the puncture was a valiant one, however we failed miserably, I would also like to thank Sian on her very useful input to the situation - taking pictures. This time my hands were that cold I couldn't even get the tyre back onto the wheel, therefore we drafted in two very kind men who fixed the puncture for me.
On the way back one of the men offered his back wheel to drag Sian, Jana and I up the Chevin and back into Headingley - little did we know that not only was he the wind barrier, but we were literally going at race pace which my legs weren't too pleased with. After the 4upTT we ended the ride at Bare Coffee with hot chocolates and cakes.
New tyres are the next on my list.
Anyone giving out free inner tubes?
Leah x
Saturday, 21 November 2015
Friday, 13 November 2015
Tomorrow will be better
It's hard to put in to words how you feel when there isn't an actual definition for it.
To quantify feelings is merely impossible. You can't possibly measure someone's emotions against another persons. Everyone is different. Everyone hurts in different ways, and we manage this completely different to the person you're sat next to.
Note that I've quickly hit the point of hurting. I haven't said that people celebrate, congratulate, or interact with others differently, which is true. However I'm pressing on the point of the deeper subject.
It's a shame that most of the time, we base our emotions around the people we spend our time with. It's normal, but when you think about it, it's quite sad. We don't (even though we are all self-centered in one way or another) spend enough time thinking about how we can make ourselves a better, happier person.
It's one thing to make someone laugh, but I don't think I've actually ever made someone happy. This doesn't mean I'm a selfish, completely self-centered person. I just don't fully understand myself what happiness is. Again, it's quite sad, but true. It doesn't upset me, it just makes me realise that something has to change. How can you possibly give someone the gift of happiness when you don't know where to start? I'm not implying that everyones role in life is to make others happy. However if you know that all you have to do is smile at someone to help them feel, then it's not exactly the hardest thing to do.
I'm saying this because I want to surround myself in the phenomenon of happiness. I hate feeling like I'm lacking something constantly. I feel like the moments of walking to school with the guilt of knowing you've forgotten something, but can't put your finger on what.
I've come to realise that, most things I do, is not necessarily to make others happy, but I try too hard to please people. They are two very different extremes. I find myself going out of my way in thinking that it's going to make someone like me more, which I now know is simply not the case. Honestly, it's draining.
I always stick by the phrase: Tomorrow will be better. I don't know why, but it seems to be the only thing that keeps me in order.
I don't ask for much, but if I could, I'd want to be careless. That's what would make me happy. I put the pressure of wanting to be liked over my actual feelings which isn't healthy. I over analyse simple situations, build false hope.
But from now on, I'm sticking to the phrase for real.
Tomorrow will be better.
To quantify feelings is merely impossible. You can't possibly measure someone's emotions against another persons. Everyone is different. Everyone hurts in different ways, and we manage this completely different to the person you're sat next to.
Note that I've quickly hit the point of hurting. I haven't said that people celebrate, congratulate, or interact with others differently, which is true. However I'm pressing on the point of the deeper subject.
It's a shame that most of the time, we base our emotions around the people we spend our time with. It's normal, but when you think about it, it's quite sad. We don't (even though we are all self-centered in one way or another) spend enough time thinking about how we can make ourselves a better, happier person.
It's one thing to make someone laugh, but I don't think I've actually ever made someone happy. This doesn't mean I'm a selfish, completely self-centered person. I just don't fully understand myself what happiness is. Again, it's quite sad, but true. It doesn't upset me, it just makes me realise that something has to change. How can you possibly give someone the gift of happiness when you don't know where to start? I'm not implying that everyones role in life is to make others happy. However if you know that all you have to do is smile at someone to help them feel, then it's not exactly the hardest thing to do.
I'm saying this because I want to surround myself in the phenomenon of happiness. I hate feeling like I'm lacking something constantly. I feel like the moments of walking to school with the guilt of knowing you've forgotten something, but can't put your finger on what.
I've come to realise that, most things I do, is not necessarily to make others happy, but I try too hard to please people. They are two very different extremes. I find myself going out of my way in thinking that it's going to make someone like me more, which I now know is simply not the case. Honestly, it's draining.
I always stick by the phrase: Tomorrow will be better. I don't know why, but it seems to be the only thing that keeps me in order.
I don't ask for much, but if I could, I'd want to be careless. That's what would make me happy. I put the pressure of wanting to be liked over my actual feelings which isn't healthy. I over analyse simple situations, build false hope.
But from now on, I'm sticking to the phrase for real.
Tomorrow will be better.
Saturday, 31 October 2015
Don't park your car in Leeds.
At the moment I'm living with such a bag filled with mixed emotions. I honestly don't know how I'm feeling half of the time, or if I'm trying to kid myself that I'm okay when all I need to do is have a good cry.
It's at that point, as my good friend Mary tweeted; One of those days where when you drop a pen you want to cry.
Moving in to a new environment is exciting, scary... A lot of things! Living with complete strangers and learning to be completely independent is quite a big stepping stone - and quite a hard one! Being responsible for eating well, getting work done and having the initiative to get yourself to training without the help of your parents to make your breaky in the morning and to get you to the session. Finding my own two feet hasn't been too tricky for me as I've always seen myself as quite an independent person, I don't feel as if I need to rely on others for help for anything such as cooking; I'm just unbelievably clumsy. However it's just been draining when you get home from a session and your tea isn't ready on the table and you remember you have to make it yourself.
I said to my coach the other day that, so far, every day something has gone wrong. Of course I'm looking for positives and every day has been great so far, however I would love for one day to just be normal. I.e. no issues to occur, no illnesses or injuries for the day. I was greeted to a phone call off my dad just yesterday saying he had a letter through the post about a 100 pound parking fine that I'd created whilst being here in Leeds. However it's being sorted out due to the circumstances. It was only 2 hours before I'd rang saying I'd been given a parking fine for parking outside of the Carnegie Stadium for my lecture. For anyone coming to Leeds with a car:
1) You can't park anywhere for free.
2) Don't come to Leeds with a car. Get the bus, train, bike... Or even walk.
However, yesterday was the first swim session EVER that I hadn't been lapped on a pull set. It seems ridiculous how someone would be happy over being able to keep up on pull, but I've always been uterly rubbish at it so when I finished the 800 still in contact with the next swimmer, I don't think I've ever smiled so much about something regarding training.
It's the little things that can make your day all the better, especially when emotions are running high off the fact you burnt a piece of toast that morning or you turned your white bra into a black and white stripey one after putting it in the wash (guilty). Uni and independence is a big thing and is all about learning. Things are bound to go wrong (not necessarily as much as what's happened to me) but just focus on the little positives out of the day and you can laugh off the negatives. I also managed to smash a plate last night.
I think everyone in their first month of uni are nervous, emotional and generally confused about pretty much everything. So my advice, if you wish to take on board, is to give a small kind gesture i.e. a little compliment to your friends and I guarantee that it will put a smile on their face and turn their day in to a good one. As Tesco say... Every little helps!
I was also given the all clear from the physio up here in Leeds to get back on my bike yesterday. So a quick spin today has set me up for potentially a good Halloween! I hope to be running by next week. Wohoo!
So, yeah... Happy Halloween!
Leah x
It's at that point, as my good friend Mary tweeted; One of those days where when you drop a pen you want to cry.
Moving in to a new environment is exciting, scary... A lot of things! Living with complete strangers and learning to be completely independent is quite a big stepping stone - and quite a hard one! Being responsible for eating well, getting work done and having the initiative to get yourself to training without the help of your parents to make your breaky in the morning and to get you to the session. Finding my own two feet hasn't been too tricky for me as I've always seen myself as quite an independent person, I don't feel as if I need to rely on others for help for anything such as cooking; I'm just unbelievably clumsy. However it's just been draining when you get home from a session and your tea isn't ready on the table and you remember you have to make it yourself.
I said to my coach the other day that, so far, every day something has gone wrong. Of course I'm looking for positives and every day has been great so far, however I would love for one day to just be normal. I.e. no issues to occur, no illnesses or injuries for the day. I was greeted to a phone call off my dad just yesterday saying he had a letter through the post about a 100 pound parking fine that I'd created whilst being here in Leeds. However it's being sorted out due to the circumstances. It was only 2 hours before I'd rang saying I'd been given a parking fine for parking outside of the Carnegie Stadium for my lecture. For anyone coming to Leeds with a car:
1) You can't park anywhere for free.
2) Don't come to Leeds with a car. Get the bus, train, bike... Or even walk.
However, yesterday was the first swim session EVER that I hadn't been lapped on a pull set. It seems ridiculous how someone would be happy over being able to keep up on pull, but I've always been uterly rubbish at it so when I finished the 800 still in contact with the next swimmer, I don't think I've ever smiled so much about something regarding training.
It's the little things that can make your day all the better, especially when emotions are running high off the fact you burnt a piece of toast that morning or you turned your white bra into a black and white stripey one after putting it in the wash (guilty). Uni and independence is a big thing and is all about learning. Things are bound to go wrong (not necessarily as much as what's happened to me) but just focus on the little positives out of the day and you can laugh off the negatives. I also managed to smash a plate last night.
I think everyone in their first month of uni are nervous, emotional and generally confused about pretty much everything. So my advice, if you wish to take on board, is to give a small kind gesture i.e. a little compliment to your friends and I guarantee that it will put a smile on their face and turn their day in to a good one. As Tesco say... Every little helps!
I was also given the all clear from the physio up here in Leeds to get back on my bike yesterday. So a quick spin today has set me up for potentially a good Halloween! I hope to be running by next week. Wohoo!
So, yeah... Happy Halloween!
Leah x
Friday, 23 October 2015
Life in Leeds
Thought I'd write a blog and update you all on my new living quarters and what not up in Leeds!
It has been, by far ( as you would probably guess) the toughest few weeks I've experienced for a while.
Why? Not really for the fact that I miss home as such, or the fact that I'm an awful cook (although that contributes to it), but it has been one thing after another for the wrong reasons.
They say things come in three's, yet my bouts of bad luck arrived in what seemed like an exclusive pack of 8.
So, feel free to indulge on my absolute failures throughout freshers and the start of uni, to be honest I'm sure it would be hard to not laugh!:
1) The day I arrived to my new home I came down with, yet again, tonsillitis. This time it wasn't so bad, however I'm currently in the process of requesting a tonsillectomy, so hopefully that will finally be rid of!
2) It was the Friday night on the first week of freshers. My house mates and I went to the 02 Academy to watch David Zowie and Phillip George. It was ace... Until I burst my nose and looked like I'd been in the ring with Muhammad Ali.
3) The week I went away on residential I came down with a very painful kidney infection. So without any signal to inform my parents on the situation, I was taken to the local medical centre where I was treated after I collapsed on the floor due to the pain. A prescription was written and I was right as rain by the end of the week. Overall the residential was really enjoyable and the views were pretty stunning. We also took part in a 12 hour mountain walk where we ended up in Grasmere. I bought some of their famous ginger bread for my mum. I'm now the favourite child.
4) Returning from the residential I was so lucky as to have deodorant sprayed in my eye. But not only that, when I went to sleep and woke the next morning, my other eye was also the colour of Rudolphs nose. I looked like this for a good week.
5) It was after one of my first lectures that I arrived home wanting nothing more than a simple egg toastie. Until I went and cracked one of my eggs in to the pan and it was frozen.
6) My first gym session with the Leeds Development Squad was something else. I haven't done much gym work in the past other than core work and a bit of leg work, so to get stuck in straight away was a shock to the system. All week I've suffered badly to the extent my arms were stuck at a 90 degree angle. At our second gym session on Wednesday, S&C coach Nick said he's never seen anything like it.
7) The session that I unnoticeably ruined every muscle fibre in my arms, I had a swim on the Wedneaday morning which was definitely not going to go well with the situation I was in. I couldnt straighten my arms in to the streamline position, so when I dove in with my arms in the shape of a dodgy 'Y' out of the YMCA, I was greeted face first to the floor of the pool.
8) To help with my issue of the arms, I decided to wap out the deep heat which I haven't used in a while. I slathered it all over my arms, back and anywhere else that hurt. I lay in bed like a little ball of fire in hope I'd feel better in the morning. At this point my eyes were still on the mend, but still irritating me, so without thinking my eyes started to itch, so I only went and made the situation worse by rubbing deep heat in to my eyes for a good 30 seconds before I realised.
Just 8 things I can think of off the top of my head which have happened to me in the short period of time I've been in Leeds. I'm not writing this for sympathy at all, but I also have learnt to just laugh it off. It has been painful and not pleasant by any means but I don't think I've ever been upset by any of the issues. That's down to the people I'm surrounded by. I've met so many ace people already and I'm so happy to be training and being with the guys I've known for a few years now. The coaches understand what I need out of my sessions and even though I am a complete sloth in the water at the minute, I'm not phased by other people's pace or my own lack of pace because I know it will come. I've gone to every session with a smile on my face regardless of what disaster I've faced that day, because even though there are quite big negatives, there are double the positives!
As I told a friend one of my mishaps the other day, they laughed and said "This is so funny, it's as if it's scripted". I'm glad my pain amuses you guys, and it does seem like every day something else goes pear-shaped but I'm pretty sure it can't last forever. Or at least I hope it doesn't!
I also attempted to eat a 1/2m pizza. I failed. Miserably.
So I'm enjoying my degree at uni (Sports Business Management) where I've already recieved my grade for my first assessment. It was 70% for a first, and yep, you guessed it, I was awarded with 69%. Not bad though for my first go, but it would have been nice to have that extra 1%.
My house mates are great and I'm currently playing about with meals and recipies to kill any down time that I have.
I've also just booked my flights to Spain with the Leeds Development Squad which is over the new years for 2 weeks so I'm really excited to get out there!
Hopefully my next update will be a little better, but we shall see!
Leah x
It has been, by far ( as you would probably guess) the toughest few weeks I've experienced for a while.
Why? Not really for the fact that I miss home as such, or the fact that I'm an awful cook (although that contributes to it), but it has been one thing after another for the wrong reasons.
They say things come in three's, yet my bouts of bad luck arrived in what seemed like an exclusive pack of 8.
So, feel free to indulge on my absolute failures throughout freshers and the start of uni, to be honest I'm sure it would be hard to not laugh!:
1) The day I arrived to my new home I came down with, yet again, tonsillitis. This time it wasn't so bad, however I'm currently in the process of requesting a tonsillectomy, so hopefully that will finally be rid of!
2) It was the Friday night on the first week of freshers. My house mates and I went to the 02 Academy to watch David Zowie and Phillip George. It was ace... Until I burst my nose and looked like I'd been in the ring with Muhammad Ali.
3) The week I went away on residential I came down with a very painful kidney infection. So without any signal to inform my parents on the situation, I was taken to the local medical centre where I was treated after I collapsed on the floor due to the pain. A prescription was written and I was right as rain by the end of the week. Overall the residential was really enjoyable and the views were pretty stunning. We also took part in a 12 hour mountain walk where we ended up in Grasmere. I bought some of their famous ginger bread for my mum. I'm now the favourite child.
4) Returning from the residential I was so lucky as to have deodorant sprayed in my eye. But not only that, when I went to sleep and woke the next morning, my other eye was also the colour of Rudolphs nose. I looked like this for a good week.
5) It was after one of my first lectures that I arrived home wanting nothing more than a simple egg toastie. Until I went and cracked one of my eggs in to the pan and it was frozen.
6) My first gym session with the Leeds Development Squad was something else. I haven't done much gym work in the past other than core work and a bit of leg work, so to get stuck in straight away was a shock to the system. All week I've suffered badly to the extent my arms were stuck at a 90 degree angle. At our second gym session on Wednesday, S&C coach Nick said he's never seen anything like it.
7) The session that I unnoticeably ruined every muscle fibre in my arms, I had a swim on the Wedneaday morning which was definitely not going to go well with the situation I was in. I couldnt straighten my arms in to the streamline position, so when I dove in with my arms in the shape of a dodgy 'Y' out of the YMCA, I was greeted face first to the floor of the pool.
8) To help with my issue of the arms, I decided to wap out the deep heat which I haven't used in a while. I slathered it all over my arms, back and anywhere else that hurt. I lay in bed like a little ball of fire in hope I'd feel better in the morning. At this point my eyes were still on the mend, but still irritating me, so without thinking my eyes started to itch, so I only went and made the situation worse by rubbing deep heat in to my eyes for a good 30 seconds before I realised.
Just 8 things I can think of off the top of my head which have happened to me in the short period of time I've been in Leeds. I'm not writing this for sympathy at all, but I also have learnt to just laugh it off. It has been painful and not pleasant by any means but I don't think I've ever been upset by any of the issues. That's down to the people I'm surrounded by. I've met so many ace people already and I'm so happy to be training and being with the guys I've known for a few years now. The coaches understand what I need out of my sessions and even though I am a complete sloth in the water at the minute, I'm not phased by other people's pace or my own lack of pace because I know it will come. I've gone to every session with a smile on my face regardless of what disaster I've faced that day, because even though there are quite big negatives, there are double the positives!
As I told a friend one of my mishaps the other day, they laughed and said "This is so funny, it's as if it's scripted". I'm glad my pain amuses you guys, and it does seem like every day something else goes pear-shaped but I'm pretty sure it can't last forever. Or at least I hope it doesn't!
I also attempted to eat a 1/2m pizza. I failed. Miserably.
So I'm enjoying my degree at uni (Sports Business Management) where I've already recieved my grade for my first assessment. It was 70% for a first, and yep, you guessed it, I was awarded with 69%. Not bad though for my first go, but it would have been nice to have that extra 1%.
My house mates are great and I'm currently playing about with meals and recipies to kill any down time that I have.
I've also just booked my flights to Spain with the Leeds Development Squad which is over the new years for 2 weeks so I'm really excited to get out there!
Hopefully my next update will be a little better, but we shall see!
 |
| The 1/2m pizza I told you about... With the lovely ladies Mary and Jemma! |
Leah x
Monday, 14 September 2015
Memories to last a lifetime
I'm sat in my room, glancing across to look at my wall of memories. From the titled 'Big Cow Aquathlon' race number to the titled 'Powerman Holland - Duathlon' with my number and name. The contrast between the two is unreal. From a Milton Keynes Aquathlon, to my first Junior European Champs race. Who'd have thought?!
Growing up in my parts of the UK, Deane to be precise, wasn't the most exciting place as a youngster. My dad mostly got me in to after school activities to keep me out of any trouble that Deane posesses! Not many kids my age took part in sport from my area so to know someone, let alone be the sportsperson of the town was quite a big thing.
"How far can you swim/run?... Are you going to the Olympics?" Anyone in triathlon knows the struggle of those frequently asked questions!
I don't know about the Olympics, as that is such a huge task to even think about at this moment in my 'career' but I am going to Leeds which is one small step to becoming a better athlete and reaching my full potential in the sport!
My parents only put me in swimming lessons so I could swim on my own on holiday... I don't think that 14 years later they expected their daughter to be off to colder parts of the UK to mix it up with the best that there is!
It has been such a tough journey. I guarantee that if other athletes had to have done it my way all these years, that 9/10 would have quit a long time ago. Again, the reason I carried on is because I'd rather be almost bullied at my swimming squad than to sit at a bus stop in the freezing cold in my spare time and think that was time well spent. One thing I have from my journey so far is being gutsy, which you can't teach.
There are so many people who I'd like to say thank you to;
Mike Halliwell,
Terry Stott,
Ian Spencer,
Emma Swanwick,
Dave Flitcroft,
Joe Galvin,
Mike Myers,
Marc Laithwaite and the Endurance store team,
Fiona and Steve Hilton,
Andy Rawley
Jonny Davies (I hope you're happy)
and Grandad Tony
To everyone at BMSS, Leigh Harriers, Bolton Harriers and Tri Team Wigan, to my sponsors Blueseventy, Summit Physio, VO2 Sportswear, Chia Charge, Swimzi and to BNY Mellon & SportsAid. To my friends and especially my family for helping me and making my journey so enjoyable!
I hope to do you all so proud on my future endeavours.
My next blog will be from the colder parts of the UK!
That's it from me for now,
The girl from Deane x
Growing up in my parts of the UK, Deane to be precise, wasn't the most exciting place as a youngster. My dad mostly got me in to after school activities to keep me out of any trouble that Deane posesses! Not many kids my age took part in sport from my area so to know someone, let alone be the sportsperson of the town was quite a big thing.
"How far can you swim/run?... Are you going to the Olympics?" Anyone in triathlon knows the struggle of those frequently asked questions!
I don't know about the Olympics, as that is such a huge task to even think about at this moment in my 'career' but I am going to Leeds which is one small step to becoming a better athlete and reaching my full potential in the sport!
My parents only put me in swimming lessons so I could swim on my own on holiday... I don't think that 14 years later they expected their daughter to be off to colder parts of the UK to mix it up with the best that there is!
It has been such a tough journey. I guarantee that if other athletes had to have done it my way all these years, that 9/10 would have quit a long time ago. Again, the reason I carried on is because I'd rather be almost bullied at my swimming squad than to sit at a bus stop in the freezing cold in my spare time and think that was time well spent. One thing I have from my journey so far is being gutsy, which you can't teach.
There are so many people who I'd like to say thank you to;
Mike Halliwell,
Terry Stott,
Ian Spencer,
Emma Swanwick,
Dave Flitcroft,
Joe Galvin,
Mike Myers,
Marc Laithwaite and the Endurance store team,
Fiona and Steve Hilton,
Andy Rawley
Jonny Davies (I hope you're happy)
and Grandad Tony
To everyone at BMSS, Leigh Harriers, Bolton Harriers and Tri Team Wigan, to my sponsors Blueseventy, Summit Physio, VO2 Sportswear, Chia Charge, Swimzi and to BNY Mellon & SportsAid. To my friends and especially my family for helping me and making my journey so enjoyable!
I hope to do you all so proud on my future endeavours.
My next blog will be from the colder parts of the UK!
That's it from me for now,
The girl from Deane x
Monday, 7 September 2015
Mallory Park U20's Festival
My last race as a junior happened this weekend at Mallory Park. It was also qualifiers for Junior worlds in Chicago in a few weeks, but with the lead up I had to this race (3 &1/2 weeks properly training) the only aim I had was to get around the course.
For it was my last race as a junior, it was certainly a bag of situations for me.
I had a great swim, coming out 4th with 3 other girls which made up the front pack. My legs were feeling it on the bike so I just wanted to sit in and get around the course which I knew I could do, until Soph lost her chain and almost came off in front, which dropped me from the group, unfortunately... Sophie was okay though which was the main thing! So then with the big swim lead we had and the gap grew on the bike, I then found myself in no mans land for what felt like an eternity (3 of 7 laps). It was such a shame because all of the hard work at the beginning of the race was for nothing. I was caught by two chasers and off the bike we were over a minute down to the leaders which was pretty much game over for me.
I had a very slow run but I was only focusing on the first two disciplines anyway and came home with 7th.
I cant possibly be disappointed, with literally 25 days of solid training for the entire season as a lead up to a big race. I think I proved to myself and others that I can do so much off so little. However in the back of my mind is the 'what if's' of the race which no doubt will stay there for a while.
Maybe if I had another month of training then things would have been different? Who knows.
Well done to the juniors yesterday, Matt Willis and Dan Slater who podiumed in the youth boy's race and to Marcus Dey who won the T3 race. Also well done to the North West IRC Team for finishing 2nd overall.
And of course thank you to the incredible support over the past 3 years to my sponsors; Blueseventy, Chia Charge, Summit Physio, Swimzi, VO2 Sportswear and to BNY Mellon & Sportsaid. Thanks to my friends, family and coaches - especially Mike Myers, Andy Rawley, Emma Swanwick, Marc Laithwaite and the Endurance store team and to Fiona and Steve Hilton who without I wouldn't have had the confidence over the past few weeks and the bike strength to have done what I did this weekend!
So that's a wrap from me for my junior days. It hasn't been a sparkling 3 years for me by any means but I've learnt so much and gained valulable experience.
Now I move on to swimming in the big pond with bigger fish as I go up to U23's... If only I was born 16 days later I'd have another year in Junior! I can't wait for a great winters training up in Leeds where I start University in just under 2 weeks with some of the best athletes in the UK (and world!).
Leah x
For it was my last race as a junior, it was certainly a bag of situations for me.
I had a great swim, coming out 4th with 3 other girls which made up the front pack. My legs were feeling it on the bike so I just wanted to sit in and get around the course which I knew I could do, until Soph lost her chain and almost came off in front, which dropped me from the group, unfortunately... Sophie was okay though which was the main thing! So then with the big swim lead we had and the gap grew on the bike, I then found myself in no mans land for what felt like an eternity (3 of 7 laps). It was such a shame because all of the hard work at the beginning of the race was for nothing. I was caught by two chasers and off the bike we were over a minute down to the leaders which was pretty much game over for me.
I had a very slow run but I was only focusing on the first two disciplines anyway and came home with 7th.
I cant possibly be disappointed, with literally 25 days of solid training for the entire season as a lead up to a big race. I think I proved to myself and others that I can do so much off so little. However in the back of my mind is the 'what if's' of the race which no doubt will stay there for a while.
Maybe if I had another month of training then things would have been different? Who knows.
Well done to the juniors yesterday, Matt Willis and Dan Slater who podiumed in the youth boy's race and to Marcus Dey who won the T3 race. Also well done to the North West IRC Team for finishing 2nd overall.
And of course thank you to the incredible support over the past 3 years to my sponsors; Blueseventy, Chia Charge, Summit Physio, Swimzi, VO2 Sportswear and to BNY Mellon & Sportsaid. Thanks to my friends, family and coaches - especially Mike Myers, Andy Rawley, Emma Swanwick, Marc Laithwaite and the Endurance store team and to Fiona and Steve Hilton who without I wouldn't have had the confidence over the past few weeks and the bike strength to have done what I did this weekend!
So that's a wrap from me for my junior days. It hasn't been a sparkling 3 years for me by any means but I've learnt so much and gained valulable experience.
Now I move on to swimming in the big pond with bigger fish as I go up to U23's... If only I was born 16 days later I'd have another year in Junior! I can't wait for a great winters training up in Leeds where I start University in just under 2 weeks with some of the best athletes in the UK (and world!).
Leah x
Sunday, 30 August 2015
Wirral Triathlon
Sat at home pretty bored and not much to do after a brief visit to Bolton's Food Festival (which all looked amazing by the way!) so thought I would do a blog about my very early morning start today for what was my 2nd race of the entire season!
Illness from May hit me hard and only now have I started to get back in to my normal training programme and seeing positive results. I decided to enter the Wirral tri at the beginning of August because I'd missed most of my race season and really wanted to get out there!
An early swim start meant very cold water temperatures for the start, we were only in the water around 5 minutes before the siren went so it wasn't too bad. However, it was an open race - meaning I was also up against the big lads. This also meant a lot of dunking took place and I found myself under the water a good three times within the first 10 metres. After the first buoy, the leaders were completely out of sight and only at the very end of the swim did I manage to catch up to 3rd and 4th placed swimmers. However, with a nippy transition I found myself 2nd out of T1 and on to the bike section feeling pretty good.
The bike was a fairly technical, lolly-pop shaped course. You rode out straight and on to a loop which you completed twice, then after your two loops you went back down the straight road to T2. The course consisted of a 1.6km hill which we had to do twice. I was pretty unsure how I'd get on up the hill, but I got in to a really good rhythm and found myself up with some of the men who had passed me which I was quite pleased with! Unfortunately going on to the second lap I found myself in the mix with people you're lapping (the swim was split in to three waves due to the big numbers). The problem wasn't the other competitors, but the cars on the road who insisted to get around you, only to be stuck behind another 15 riders up the climb. I got stuck behind a car and a van with a boat on the back, which slowed me down massively because there was absolutely nowhere for me to get round which was quite frustrating. The rest of the course was faily undulating, with some good descents so all-in-all it was a good hard bike.
I felt good going into T2... Until I ran out of T2 and pretty much didn't have anything in the tank. It was 2 laps of 2.5km. I tried to hold my form which is the only thing that helped me get around the run. With tight calves off the bike it was a painful 5km! Plus, you could see the other side of the course which made it feel 10x futher than it actually was. I finished well however, and came home with a win which I was really pleased with due to having so much time out! I've been given a huge confidence boost and can't thank everyone enough for their great support on the course!
Hopefully the race has set me up nicely for Mallory Park next weekend, and I've brushed off the cobwebs and any other doubts that I've had!
Leah x
Illness from May hit me hard and only now have I started to get back in to my normal training programme and seeing positive results. I decided to enter the Wirral tri at the beginning of August because I'd missed most of my race season and really wanted to get out there!
An early swim start meant very cold water temperatures for the start, we were only in the water around 5 minutes before the siren went so it wasn't too bad. However, it was an open race - meaning I was also up against the big lads. This also meant a lot of dunking took place and I found myself under the water a good three times within the first 10 metres. After the first buoy, the leaders were completely out of sight and only at the very end of the swim did I manage to catch up to 3rd and 4th placed swimmers. However, with a nippy transition I found myself 2nd out of T1 and on to the bike section feeling pretty good.
The bike was a fairly technical, lolly-pop shaped course. You rode out straight and on to a loop which you completed twice, then after your two loops you went back down the straight road to T2. The course consisted of a 1.6km hill which we had to do twice. I was pretty unsure how I'd get on up the hill, but I got in to a really good rhythm and found myself up with some of the men who had passed me which I was quite pleased with! Unfortunately going on to the second lap I found myself in the mix with people you're lapping (the swim was split in to three waves due to the big numbers). The problem wasn't the other competitors, but the cars on the road who insisted to get around you, only to be stuck behind another 15 riders up the climb. I got stuck behind a car and a van with a boat on the back, which slowed me down massively because there was absolutely nowhere for me to get round which was quite frustrating. The rest of the course was faily undulating, with some good descents so all-in-all it was a good hard bike.
I felt good going into T2... Until I ran out of T2 and pretty much didn't have anything in the tank. It was 2 laps of 2.5km. I tried to hold my form which is the only thing that helped me get around the run. With tight calves off the bike it was a painful 5km! Plus, you could see the other side of the course which made it feel 10x futher than it actually was. I finished well however, and came home with a win which I was really pleased with due to having so much time out! I've been given a huge confidence boost and can't thank everyone enough for their great support on the course!
Hopefully the race has set me up nicely for Mallory Park next weekend, and I've brushed off the cobwebs and any other doubts that I've had!
Leah x
Tuesday, 19 May 2015
Llanelli Gateway Event
Last weekend I travelled all the way down to the bottom of Wales to Llanelli to compete in the Junior Gateway event, which was also my first race of the season due to injuries at the beginning of the year. I was looking forward to racing so much and I knew I had a good race in me!
I registered the day before, had a pre race pizza and got an early night.
Race day came and I was feeling good. Transition set up and briefing done all that was left was to race!
My swim is my strongest of the 3 but the past year or so I've struggled to find my rhythm and overall swim power, however the past few months my swim has started to come back. The race set off pretty fast and Liz Hood got a quick lead which I wanted to be a part of. Unfortunately the girl at the side of my thought it would be better to just swim along side me rather than bridging the gap which then resulted in Lizzie getting a mini break away and cutting my off from her line in to the first buoy which I wasn't pleased with, but that's racing. I then kept the gap the same between me and Liz throughout the swim. It didn't really feel fast at all and thinking about it I should have bridged the gap, but getting out the water 2nd feeling pretty fresh I can't complain with. I had a very, very quick T1 and off to mount my bike.. when my elastic band snapped which meant my shoe was jammed on the floor so that kind of failed. So a very stationary mount I was then caught by the chasers pretty much out of T1 which was disappointing.
I've recently felt quite weak on the bike so my aim was to just stick in the front pack and to get on to the run in the first pack. I did minimal work however I tried to do what I could. I apologise to all the girls as I could tell they were all really annoyed with my lack of contribution! I made it around in the front pack and on to the run I felt great until the dead turn at the far end and then my legs ran out of steam. I finished 8th overall which I am really happy with - my first race of the season so it means things can only get better! I also hate excuses but suffering from a bad cold a leading in to the race wasn't ideal but you just have to get on with it.
Pretty gutted I've just missed out on a place to race in Vienna next week - with it being top 6 to go, however I'm happy with the way my season has started and the only way is up from here!
Well done to all the girls who raced.
A big thanks to the support off BlueSeventy, BNY Mellon, Team Sportsaid, Summit Physio and Chia Charge going in to this season. I'm sure it will be a good one!
Leah x
I registered the day before, had a pre race pizza and got an early night.
Race day came and I was feeling good. Transition set up and briefing done all that was left was to race!
My swim is my strongest of the 3 but the past year or so I've struggled to find my rhythm and overall swim power, however the past few months my swim has started to come back. The race set off pretty fast and Liz Hood got a quick lead which I wanted to be a part of. Unfortunately the girl at the side of my thought it would be better to just swim along side me rather than bridging the gap which then resulted in Lizzie getting a mini break away and cutting my off from her line in to the first buoy which I wasn't pleased with, but that's racing. I then kept the gap the same between me and Liz throughout the swim. It didn't really feel fast at all and thinking about it I should have bridged the gap, but getting out the water 2nd feeling pretty fresh I can't complain with. I had a very, very quick T1 and off to mount my bike.. when my elastic band snapped which meant my shoe was jammed on the floor so that kind of failed. So a very stationary mount I was then caught by the chasers pretty much out of T1 which was disappointing.
I've recently felt quite weak on the bike so my aim was to just stick in the front pack and to get on to the run in the first pack. I did minimal work however I tried to do what I could. I apologise to all the girls as I could tell they were all really annoyed with my lack of contribution! I made it around in the front pack and on to the run I felt great until the dead turn at the far end and then my legs ran out of steam. I finished 8th overall which I am really happy with - my first race of the season so it means things can only get better! I also hate excuses but suffering from a bad cold a leading in to the race wasn't ideal but you just have to get on with it.
Pretty gutted I've just missed out on a place to race in Vienna next week - with it being top 6 to go, however I'm happy with the way my season has started and the only way is up from here!
Well done to all the girls who raced.
A big thanks to the support off BlueSeventy, BNY Mellon, Team Sportsaid, Summit Physio and Chia Charge going in to this season. I'm sure it will be a good one!
Leah x
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