Heather Fell - Professional Modern Pentathlete for Great Britain
Blog
Monday, 27 February 2012
I don't think anyone ever looks forward to going back to work on a Monday whatever or wherever it might be. For me it is usually a little different as no matter what day of the week training continues, however this week I am not looking forward to heading back to Bath for a different reason. I had a busy morning of training on Saturday fitting in three sessions before lunch in order to have the afternoon free to watch the rugby. Both the England v Wales and Exeter V Bath match were looking good at half time, unfortunately it didn't remain that way. I know the young England team were not expected to win but I must admit I had a bit more faith in the Chiefs. I am hoping that by Tuesday morning when I return to Bath the rugby will be old news (at least I'm not heading to Wales!).
Pentathlon does seem to attract more attention every four years and not just from the media. Last week saw a great example when Sarah Brown (wife of the former prime minister) came to Bath in an attempt to complete the five sports in one day. The original plan was for Sarah to compete against her friend and TV personality Lorraine Kelly in order to raise money for the charity Piggybanks. Unfortunately the ITV presenter ended up in hospital as the result of a fall in her last minute riding lesson the day prior to their challenge. I am pleased to say that Sarah did not let this deter her and succeeded in completing the five sports, although I am confident my place in the squad is safe for the time being.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
It is always a sign of a good training camp when it flies by even if it was only a fleeting five days long. The emphasis in Barcelona was on fencing, we had the Russian pentathlon team and Spanish fencers to train with and learn from. This didn't mean the other sports were neglected; we also made the most of the impressive aquatics complex and a new combined event outdoor shooting range alongside the athletics track. There is something about clear blue skies, great facilities, and decent food, which make a great atmosphere within the squad. Oh and how could I forget my highlight, the compulsory daily siesta.
After another week abroad living out of a suitcase - or should I say kit bag - I was as usual in search of an excuse to dig out a frock and some heels. I soon found a very legitimate cause and on my day off headed up to the big smoke for a taste of London Fashion Week. It might be hard to comprehend but the designers are all showing their autumn/winter 2012 collections whilst already putting finishing touches on their spring summer designs for the following year. I think I might have been a little behind the trends when choosing a fuchsia dress as my outfit for the day instead of the deeper winter colours seen on and off the catwalks. However I stand by my choice and will for now be looking forward to spring and summer this season.
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Oh how I love to be home even if only for a week. It has been a fun packed one with plenty of quality training and believe it or not in warmer conditions than I'd become accustomed to. However I'm already heading back to Barcelona airport but this time no long twisty mini bus ride up to the Pyrenees as we are staying in the outskirts of the city for a fencing training camp.
I started the week with a bit of glamour wearing a designer dress and ended it covered in mud sporting my Tavy athletics club running vest but enjoyed both equally. I was honoured when asked to open a new sportswear exhibition at the Bath fashion museum and as it involved me wearing a gorgeous dress and jewellery I couldn't refuse. I also had another short appearance on BBC West; it was a pleasant change to be filmed in something other than my sports kit.
Obviously I wanted to come home to see my family and sleep in my own bed but there was the added pull of running x-country and watching rugby. Luckily Sandy Park - home of Exeter Chiefs - didn't have the same problem as Paris and even though a little chilly the Saturday night game went ahead. What a match it was; definitely worth bracing the cold to watch Exeter beat favourites Leicester by a convincing amount.
Monday, 6 February 2012
I may have joked about sweeping the running track but the performance director earned his keep this last week with the broom. The snow didn't stop after that first twenty-four hours and as beautiful as the mountains may have looked the conditions weren't pleasant for running. We battled on for the first few days, adapting our sessions to run on the sunny side of the track that had been melted, but by the end of the camp the coach gave in and resorted to our sessions being run on the treadmill. However there were six of us and one treadmill, not really the idea of being in the French Pyrenees, but at least we still had the benefit of altitude.
I had been following the weather reports back home with news of winter arriving at last - but laughing at the comments - as we were in conditions more than ten degrees colder. Although there didn't seem to be much snow about, that was until we landed on Saturday afternoon. In the time it took for us to be picked up from Bristol airport and taken back to Bath the city turned white and inevitably ground to a halt. It really did seem we brought the snow back with us.
Despite my car being abandoned in the snow I made it back to Bristol to the Hippodrome to see the musical 'Dreamboats and Petticoats', I was determined to get out and put on a dress and heels after two weeks of living in sports kit. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and even had a little 'boogey'; it is the first musical I've been to where the whole audience were up on their feet dancing for the finale.
