Heather Fell - Professional Modern Pentathlete for Great Britain
Blog
Monday, 21 November 2011
I was flattered to be invited to join the panel for the annual southwest sports awards again this year. It often takes events like these to make us aware of what talent we have in the region and just how many sports are represented at international level. However it is the people and support networks behind the scenes that really are overlooked which is why the sporting unsung hero is such an important award. Every year it never seizes to amaze me the amount of incredible nominations there are, making it an extremely difficult yet insightful category to judge.
I finished this week off with another successful and enjoyable sporting Sunday. I relished the change from running and fencing competitions to compete in only my second swimming gala since leaving school. Whilst writing this I'm still buzzing from racing in Bristol where I was honoured to represent Devon masters in several sprint events at the inter-county championships. I must admit I still feel too young to compete in master's events but it was great to see so many familiar faces from back in my swimming days. I may not get to compete in pure swimming events particularly often but after watching Devon's swimmer of the year, (a gentleman in his 70's) beating most half his age I'd like to think I have a few years left in me yet.
The last two nights I experienced an unusual role reversal within the family; I hosted my parents at my flat in Bath. This involved me not only sleeping on the sofa but also attempting to cook my first ever chicken, the latter posed the greater challenge by far. I didn't set out with the intention of cooking a chicken, but after buying what I thought was a ready roasted one I discovered to my disappointment that it was raw. After many opinions and varied advice on the best method I set about my preparation, you can imagine my confusion (which soon changed to relief) when I realised it came in a bag ready for the oven. I must admit I did feel a little naughty cheating like this but it was worth it just for the look on my fathers face when I produced a 'chicken in a bag' from the roasting oven. Well we all lived to tell the tale even if my cooking skills have a little developing to do.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
It is now over a year since I moved into my flat and those finishing touches are just about complete. Thanks to a new boiler I can enjoy the luxury of a hot shower, but more importantly I no longer need to be disturbed by my lodger in order to manually turn on the hot water when I'm half asleep (the boiler being in my room and the lodger enjoying late night showers!). I have also given in and decided that sharing a flat with a boy requires a cleaner, a justifiable luxury I think.
Last weekend I headed across the Tamar for cross-country and this weekend I ventured across the river Severn for fencing, oh the risks I'll take for my sport! On a serious note the trip to Cardiff was certainly worthwhile, the opportunity to fence with pure fencers is always valuable training. It is impressive how well the other pentathletes and I compare in these competitions, it proves how fitness must be a factor in the sport of fencing. The only negative side to these competitions being that however well you perform unless you win the whole tournament you go home once you've lost your final fight.
This may seem old news and I expect it passed over many heads but the route of the Olympic torch was announced last week. There is good reason you may not be aware of the towns it is to pass through as shockingly it is not coming to Tavistock. The facts and figures that LOCOG (London organising committee of the Olympic games) are so proudly shouting about must put the whole of our town into the minority. We make up part of the 5% of the population that unfortunately do not live within 10 miles of the torch relay route, which as you would expect I find incredibly disappointing.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
I was tempted for another dip in the sea after this Sundays competition but as gorgeous as Watergate bay may appear in the autumn sunshine looks can be slightly deceiving, the Atlantic is many degrees cooler than the Mediterranean. Having said that my race for Tavistock AC in the Westward league hardly counted as cross-country as I finished without a speck of mud and pleasantly glowing.
This week I've had the chance to test my brain as well as my body with two speaking appearances and an interview. Okay maybe speaking to a journalist from a well know tabloid wasn't so taxing, but being introduced as an inspirational lady and then attempting to fulfil that label for fifteen minutes does push me pleasantly out of my comfort zone. Though I fear the worst bit will be watching myself later, as I was asked to record my talk in order for a public speaking instructor to help improve my presenting skills.
I decided to head back home on Saturday afternoon for the Exeter Chiefs home game against Gloucester, although I missed the beginning having not allowed enough time for the alternative A303 route. That journey gave me plenty of thinking time after Friday's horrendous M5 tragedy, my thoughts go out to all involved and their friends and family. Despite the accident (which was remembered with a minutes silence) there was a huge support for the away club and maybe it was that that gave Gloucester the edge over the Chiefs in a close and exciting match.
Friday, 4 November 2011
I got there in the end; the cupboard doors have had their sixth and final coat and are at last in place. I've now almost completed the finishing touches to my flat, only one year later! Being a builder's daughter it does seem wrong having to pay for the simple odd jobs but unfortunately I seem to be the only one in the family without the practical gene. This does have a plus side though as things actually get done on time.
After reorganising my wardrobe there were a few things in need of discarding. I took one or two items in good condition to the second hand shop in the hope of a few pennies in return. However I made the mistake of having a quick browse on my way out and returned home with far more, which may have slightly defeated the object.
My weekends of competing have begun. This one was a little further a field and more glamorous than anything else coming up this winter. The only problem being my body wasn't quite ready to deliver a strong performance in a full Pentathlon after a good break followed by three weeks of hard training. Luckily the coaches were not expecting anything special either so myself and the other girls made the most of our 36 hours in sunny Sicily. When competing all day this leaves very little time and daylight but we made the most of the gorgeous setting and great location of our hotel on the beach; we took a dip in the surprisingly warm sea at midnight then our journey back to the airport doubled as our Island tour.
