Two Years To Go!

I've just got back from the biggest and best Paralympics GB camp yet! 14 summer sports, Alpine Skiing and the Talent Transition Programme attended a 5 day camp (like a mini, pre-games holding camp) over the bank holiday.

Whilst most other Brits enjoyed some much needed sunshine, budding and experienced Paralympians alike demonstrated commitment, working with professionals on improving our game. Physiological testing, one to one sport specific training, as well as therapy, sports psychology, media training and inter-sport discussions in a Games environment meant a busy and exhausting few days for all.

Ken Hames, the military man who questioned preconceptions of disability through the Beyond Boundaries documentary, gave an inspiring talk highlighting parallels with the dedication, focus and skill needed for peak performance at the Paralympics. Two years to go and we are on track!

Thanks Paralympics GB on behalf of the alpine skiers, we appreciate your support!

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/inside-incredible-athletes

Record Recruitment for Starting Off

Northamptonshire's biggest office recruitment company, Starting Off, invited me to speak and present qualification certificates to trainees at both Kettering and Northampton Awards Ceremonies.

Starting Off provides qualification, apprentice and work opportunities for young people. It is a pleasure to be involved with a company dedicated to developing young people's skills and prospects and providing them with qualifications, apprentice and work opportunities.

Well done to everyone who achieved their awards and completed their apprenticeships with local companies. Good luck for the future!

How does a paraplegic do triathlon?

In my experience, triathletes are a pretty crazy lot and paratriathletes are apparently no different. Putting yourself through a gruelling trio of lake swimming, cycling and running takes a pretty special sort of character! Paratriathletes have missing limbs, paraplegia, visual impairments (the VI competitors have to run with blacked out goggles) and other physical disabilities. The distances raced equal regular triathlons and a fascinating variety of prostheses, handcycles, racing wheelchairs and other equipment are used.





I took part in my first International Paratriathlon in Hyde Park last weekend in a GB trisuit! The super sprint (the shortest discipline: 400m swim in the Serpentine, 10km bike, 3.5km run) took me over 48 minutes to complete although I was pleased to get bronze behind European Champion, Jane Egan and to finish only 3:47 off gold. A little frustrated however that it took over 3 minutes to get out of my wetsuit and on the bike! The fastest elite man, Hiffler finished in 32:16 for France and team GB won 3 Gold 5 Silver 1 Bronze medals!

The paratriatletes are an inspirational, welcoming and encouraging lot, if a little insane! Paratriathlon aims to become a Paralympic Event in Rio in 2016 and if anyone deserves it they do!

Click on the title for more info and paratri video.

Deloitte Ride Accross Britain raises £350,000 for Athletes!

600 dedicated Deloitte riders cycled the 1,000 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End earlier this year and are well on the way to reaching the target of £1m for ParalympicsGB by 2013! The Ride Across Britain is an annual fundraiser and the support makes a huge difference to athletes like me.

Deloitte is the official Disability Sport Partner for SportsAid’s Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) programme. I came home from the season with top GB results for sitting women and couldn't have done that without TASS.

This summer I gave a talk at Deloitte CEO Dinner and hopefully encouraged some of the riders. Thank you so much Deloitte for your support which is central to bringing home medals for GB!