Hello,

A new year always brings new challenges and a time when every athlete sets new targets and goals.  A glance into the distance of where I hope to be in a few months is a daunting experience, especially considering my recent injury, and current fitness levels.

However for January my focus had to stay close to home as our second selection competition for the British team was at the end of the month. An important weekend for me considering my absence from the first competition, and I have to say this pressure definitely caused me to feel a wee bit stressed!

Trying to keep a level head is always a struggle when you want something so badly. Luckily I have some very understanding friends who are always there to lean on.

Throughout the month I have been building back up to full intensity training and (touch wood) my foot is completely pain free. This is obviously great news.

Helping me get back in to the swing of things was a week long training camp in Spain. The focus of this camp was fencing based, and we were lucky enough to have coincided our trip with the Russian Squad so fencing partners were fierce and many. For me this was a wonderful trip as I really like Spain and the training centre based in Sant Cugat which is on the outskirts of the lovely city of Barcelona.

Also the weather was kind to us, and we even saw some early sun shine, which always lifts the spirits! For me it was also great to be back with the squad full time again, with my sporting identity slowly returning.

After the nice week in Spain I faced a very tough week back in Bath.  This week was tough for two reasons; One, I was exhausted after the intensity of the previous week, and two, because the selection competition was looming.  Nerves and pressure were loading day by day...

 By Wednesday I was concerned I may explode! The funny thing is the only one applying the pressure was me. So on Thursday I had a well needed ‘chat’ with our team psychologist who helped me process some of my thoughts and fears. We set performance and process goals for the coming weekend and suddenly I felt a million times better.

I am extremely happy to report that the weekend went well and I performed better than expected, especially in the shooting and fencing (these are perhaps my stronger two events). The swimming showed I am at good standard for this time of year and the riding passed without disaster.

In the running I produced a time that was in keeping with my fitness levels so I cannot complain.  All is beginning to look a little brighter for this year. 

I would just like to mention how wonderful is was to see Scotland being so well represented by some new faces. Good work guys.

As I finish this blog I am 2200ft above sea level in a lovely village called Font Romeu in the south of France. I am here for the next two weeks for altitude training; I like to call it training with a difference. We are here weather permitting to cross country ski, however at present we are without snow. This is a sad sight and I say with a slight groan ‘Lets get the running shoes back out!’

Mhairi

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