www.kieratippett.com - KIERA TIPPETT - MY SPORTING JOURNEY

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TRIATHLON, TRAINING & PREPARATIONS...

7/16/2018

Click here to ediWorking in London, I often hear a lot of comments of ‘I can’t believe it’s July!’ (sometimes happy as the summer is FINALLY here, but the majority because they know it is almost time for the empty-pocket month of December), and I told myself I would not be one of them. However…
....I CANNOT BELIEVE IT IS JULY ALREADY! It feels like only yesterday I was sitting in a hospital bed, wondering if I was going to be able to do the European Championships. To that Kiera, it felt like a lifetime before she could get back to that level of training, let alone actually racing. But for this Kiera, the one that is flying to Estonia tomorrow for the race this weekend, it feels like nothing could stop her!
My second Triathlon of the year, and just so happened to be my last before the Euros, was the Southend Triathlon. When you think of a Triathlon, you probably imagine a cold and very early morning, huddled in transition with as many layers your body can allow. I HATE being cold. But unusually it must have been my lucky weekend, as this race was both local AND an afternoon race and nice and warm, which any Triathlete knows is practically unheard of in the world of multisport!
The sea swim was very choppy, so much so that I couldn’t see any other competitor for several strokes before the waves dropped and I had a split second of seeing the buoys and other competitors, before it was just me in a cavern of water again. Several people didn’t even get 50 metres before they pulled out as they were terrified. In fact, the last couple of waves of competitors never got to swim as they cancelled the swim section of the race due to safety reasons! Luckily I was in wave one.
I previously had my reservations of the bike course (6 out-and-back loops, all self-counted, with over 100 people on the course at a time = recipe for disaster!), but it was a surprisingly a nice race and my bike responded really well to the course and the turns - and so did my body.
My arm held well on that swim surprisingly and it did well on the bike even though I had to do a lot of gearing and turning so I think all the hard work with the physio, exercises and swim training has been worth it.

Final preparations are underway, bags are being packed, and flights are being checked in. Pretty soon it'll be time for the hard part: trying to put my wonderfully-packed bike by Richardson’s back together! t.

British Triathlon Champs - Leeds 2018 (sorry, its a long one today!)

6/16/2018

Normal people would ease themselves back into Triathlons after an operation, maybe a few small Sprint Triathlons to see how well they are doing and how their body feels about it...

But I'm not normal! Instead, my first Triathlon back was a Standard distance (1500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run) at the British Championships in Leeds. But like they say (well, just me really), "if you make it hard for yourself to begin with, you can do anything after that"!

The nerves started on the Thursday before the race, when I realised what I had put myself in for. I'm normally nervous before the first race of the year, but this was a whole new level - it was all I was thinking about for 3 days! What made it worse (and I'm sure many other Triathletes would agree with me on this), is that I had to go up to Leeds the day before to sign in, rack my bike and check the course out. Everyone has to do this, just like you would at an international event, but seeing the transition, lake and start of the bike and run course makes it that more real.
As you walk over a huge hill you see transition in the valley below and it is HUGE (even the camera can only pick up half of the size of it) and the thoughts run through your head "how the hell am I going to find my bike in there!" However my bike was like a belisha beacon and I think other competitors around me were able to find their bikes easily too! That was a great move choosing those colours.

Before the sun had even risen from behind the horizon, I was in transition setting up my bike, shoes and helmet for the approaching race. I would say the one downfall of this race is the transition - although it is so big that it can easily fit all of the competitors in, they decided to put the entrance and exit (for the people who hadn't started their race yet) in the same corner as the bike in and out, which made for some close collisions between cycles and people!

Soon enough, the swim was upon me. All of the men's waves went off before mine, and it was only then, watching them go off, that I realised that this is what I was so nervous about, having not done a full 1500m in training since my op without stopping before this I was unsure whether I would make it round! So you can imagine my relief when they announced that the swim would be reduced to 750m due to the amount of mist over the lake!
But of course, as usual, luck wasn't on my side - I was the first female wave after the men, and just happened to be the first wave that had the swim put back up to 1500m! In a way though, this was better, because I now know that I can do that distance This was my only Standard distance Triathlon before the Europeans, so at least I have actually done the correct distance before having to compete abroad.

So I made it around the swim, and surprisingly only about 2 minutes slower than usual (which I am most proud of, I thought it was going to be a lot more than that!), but more importantly I had no pain - its been nearly 2 years since that happened. Then it was onto the bike. There are many firsts in this race, as it was also the first time doing a Triathlon on my new Trek, and I don't think I can praise it enough!
Having only ridden the bike 3 times previously, It felt so natural and comfortable, like I had been riding it for years. It responded to all the tight turns really well and I even managed to skip onto it and into my shoes quickly (not bad as I only practiced that the night before!)
And you know I said it felt like I had been with it for years.. What if I told you that, although I obviously haven't trained as much compared to last year, I beat my 2017 bike split time on the same course by 5 minutes! 5 minutes...UNBELIEVEABLE!
It has got my mind racing wondering what I will be able to do after another few months of hard training! Watch this space. Suffice to say Richardsons Cycles... I LOVE MY BIKE!

After finding my racking spot back at transition it was time for the run, the section I probably felt most comfortable as there was no pressure on my shoulder.
For anyone following my blogs, you probably know that the running was the easiest discipline to get back to after the operation, so naturally I felt quite confident during this race. The first 5.4km of the 10km race run, I felt amazing. I had a really good rhythm, long strides, breathing easy, and honestly felt like I was on for a PB.

You are probably wondering why I was so precise about the 5.4km - it's because at that exact distance (I looked at my watch!), the whole lower half of my body cramped. I don't mean the slight pulling of the muscles, I mean the type of cramp where you can't bend your legs and you feel like someone has poured fire in your muscles. Yeah, you know what I mean! PAIN!
No stress, I just had to slow down my pace a bit for the rest of the race, and although it was quite frustrating knowing how good I felt at the beginning, it showed me what I have to work on and how much more I can improve.
I think most of it was down to the fact that cycling on a road bike compared to a TT bike uses totally different muscles, ones I haven't worked before, so it just means getting used to the position of the bike and powering through it. Although comparing with another competition last year I am thinking of ditching the energy gels as this could also be a contributing factor. That's one thing about triathlon, its completely a personal race. What is good for one person is not necessarily the same for another person and over time things change within your own training and body and you have to learn to adapt, or change.

Overall, it was a fairly decent race, and I managed to get 4 minutes quicker compared to last year even with the super slow run and slower swim and not having tapered the training for a race at all beforehand.
However I managed 3rd in my age group and got on the podium - not bad for my first race back and the British Champs!

It is only about a month now until the Europeans, so time to take the training up a gear and ready myself for that!

FINALLY able to go on my new bike!!

6/2/2018

It's been about 4 months now since I had the operation, and I have finally been able to get on my TT bike on the road!
For the people who aren't as familiar with carbon TT bikes, I will explain why it has taken me so long to get on the road. It is common sense that a steel bike is much heavier than a carbon bike, hence why competitive cyclists or triathletes go for the carbon bike - the heavier the bike, the more weight you are having to push around, the more energy you are using up. so the slower you move.

That, of course, will be very handy in my races as I am cycling 40 kilometres in between a swim and a run.
I have been told many times that a TT bike makes a lot of difference compared to a carbon bike, but I don't think anyone can explain this properly, I think its something that you have to experience yourself. I have also been told that it is a lot more reactive. By this, I mean that one slight twitch of the handlebars and you could be going in a different direction (that is something that no one can prepare you for until you experience it yourself and that is not an exaggeration!). That is why I have made sure my shoulder is definitely ready to support me on this new bike - I wouldn't want to go and crash it on my first ride because I wasn't strong enough to control it!
However even though I was expecting some change once I started riding my TT, I did not think it possible to feel that much faster - and immediately - than when I was on my carbon bike.

The Trek is SO much lighter than my carbon bike, so much so that I feel like I am flying when I have a straight, open road to cycle. I could feel myself going faster and faster and I wasn't even pushing it that much. I could feel the grin on my face and even though my dad came with me to film beside me for a few snaps, I gradually left him behind so he only managed to get a couple of shots.
The aerodynamics make a massive difference and it is so smooth. Yes, it is very reactive, but that is just something I have to get used to and not be such a clumsy rider as I have been for the past few years, because the positives far outweigh the negatives with this bike.
It was also very comfortable, making the 2.5 hour ride feel a lot shorter (normally my arm positioning and butt starts hurting halfway through the ride - not this time!). I think the positioning on TT bikes ie leaning further forward over the front wheel and further forward on the seat means that your quads are stretched out more and therefore less chance of getting leg cramps before or during the next section of the race, the run. I didn't realise what a difference this would make and when I got off the bike after several miles of constant riding I had loads of life left in my legs, with no cramping.
Changing the gears is so smooth that you hardly even realise that it has happened, its like gliding a knife through butter. Leaning on the TT bars is so comfortable that I feel like I could stay there all day and that's a real positive statement to make after having a shoulder operation, and don't even get me started on the beautiful sound the wheels make when they are spinning (thankyou Ros 4 Jon) (Fellow cyclists will know what I mean on that one!)

All in all even though this was my first proper ride on a TT bike and my first ever Trek, I am very impressed and would have no hesitation in recommending anyone to try a Trek TT, but in particular a Speed Concept. For someone who has purposely used road bike for all triathlons and road races in the past, I was a little worried about not having the brakes near the gears incase I needed to get to them quickly and I never liked the position of them before (I always though how awkward I looked on them!) However a proper bike set up made a huge difference as well as a properly measured frame, flight deck and seating and I am surprised how quickly I have adapted to it.

Of course, I wouldn't even be writing this blog about this gorgeous machine if it wasn't for Richardsons Cycles, the amazing people who gave me this bike at the beginning of the year! I'm sorry it has taken so long to get on the bike, but it was definitely worth the wait. I love it even more now I've ridden it properly!!

Now for my first race on it.... this weekend, actually! My first Duathlon in over 2 years, and my first race back this season - no biggy!

Update

5/6/2018

It has been a while since I was on here, and A LOT has happened so here we go...

Firstly, and probably the most important part, is that I CAN FINALLY SWIM AGAIN!!! When I found out that I needed an operation, the doctor told me that although this operation will considerably improve my shoulder stability, that I may not get back to the level I was before and I may even struggle to swim at all.

Obviously, this was a huge obstacle for me and made it a lot harder to make my decision, but I have met many people who have struggled with injuries yet still been able to carry on competing.

I also knew that having my arm permanently dislocated from my shoulder socket for any longer would mean problems with tendons, muscles etc later on. Therefore, I took the risk of having the operation as I knew nothing could be worse than continue competing with the pain I was in before as well as my times worsening each month.

Now, almost 3 months later, I have returned to my swim club (which I havent swum with for 8 months) and I have just been able to get my arm over the water when swimming front crawl! This is a HUGE step in the right direction for me, because at last now I know that as long as I get my strength back, I will be able to compete again.

There is still the possibility of not getting my full rotation of the shoulder back, but for now, I am happy with how it is going! Next task: getting a wetsuit on!

The bike - I haven't been able to go onto the road because my shoulder wouldn't have been able to reach the bars and hold me up. Last week I was finally able to get out onto the road, and just in time for the nice weather!

It was lovely to have that freedom again with the wind blowing the cobwebs away. Although I could only do about 17ish miles before I had to cycle home holding my arm to my chest, I would say that was a good start!
However today I went out again on the quiet country roads of Hanningfield. I felt so much stronger and was able to ride for longer and enjoy it more. I got up some good speed and didn't ache as much.

I still cannot go on my TT bike because I can't get my arms onto the bars or arm rests in the correct position and to be safe (see picture below, this was taken before the operation). It puts an awful lot of pressure on my shoulder being in this position and I wouldn't be able to control the bars, brakes or gears, or concentrate on the road enough.

I am hoping it happens soon as I NEED TO GET ON THAT BIKE!

Finally, the run - I feel like I am finally getting back to the speed I was before.

This was the first discipline that I could start training for after the operation because I could use my sling while I ran, but now that I have been training without it for nearly a month, I can easily say that I sometimes forget that I actually had an operation!
That is what I have been waiting for since February, training like I've never had an operation - I love it!

And just in time for my first ever 10 miler on Bank Holiday Monday.
Good times ahead, I just hope it is in time for my Europeans and Worlds.

Sloth Arm!

4/7/2018

I feel so free!

I finally have that HUGE sling off, which means I am on the long, but hopefully successful, road to recovery.
It is all about movement at the moment, making sure the joint doesn't seize and also getting used to using two hands again! I have resorted to calling my left arm my 'sloth arm' because when I reach for something, it does it v e r y, v e r y slowly and has no strength!!

Once the Consultant is happy with the range of movement I have, it is then time for the fun part - strengthening!
I don't know when this stage will be, but I'm hoping sooner rather than later as the European Championships are getting closer and closer! But like most people have said to me, patience is key with this, otherwise I will just make it worse and I won't be able to race at all.
I do not yet know whether I will need to readjust my swim stroke as I may have restricted rotation so that will be the factor that slows down my progress back into training full steam. We shall have to wait and see.

I couldn't wait any longer however to get out on my new bike - I've only been able to use it on the turbo so far due to the snow and then my op! Therefore, I took it out on the local lanes today to get a feel for it. The pressure on my shoulder was quite intense though so I was only on it for about 5 minutes - and going slower than a walking pace - but it felt so good to finally be able to do something that I have been itching to do since the beginning of the year! And of course, I had to document it, so photographer Mum came out with me and caught the moment below!

It may not be a big step, but it is one in the right direction!

Healing Well.

3/18/2018

It's coming up to nearly 6 weeks post-op, and I'm finally starting to feel like I can do some proper training.
Don't get me wrong, I am ages away from getting back to how I used to train, but at least this is better than just walking on the treadmill like I was for the first 3 weeks!

I am now able to run on the treadmill and road as long as my arm is strapped down to my side (like the picture below), and go on the turbo/back to the gym, but I still cannot cycle on the road as I can't put pressure on my shoulder as it may dislodge the 4 metal rods from the bone which are now becoming embedded
.
But the bit that I am most excited about is that I can get back in the pool! My stitches are well healed, and it felt good to just be in the pool again, and with my arm strapped down to my side I managed to do my whole swim with one arm. It is REALLY hard, especially as I haven't swam properly since September, but it's a start and I am grateful that it is healing well - and quickly. We just need some decent weather now.

Update!

2/26/2018

Only two weeks after my operation and I am already fed up with being unable to do a lot of things that I was able to do before!

To be honest, it was only a couple of days after the op that I realised: me and this neutral positioned block-sling were not going to get along!
I keep on reaching for things and realise that I cannot move my arm, wanting to pick something up with two hands then finding out that it is impossible and have to ask for help, and wanting to jump and pull my jeans up and not being able to (ladies, you understand me!)

My training has been almost impossible, try leaning forward on a TT bike on the turbo with one arm – gets very tiring and very unstable (hats off to those Paratriathletes who manage it?!) and I have had to resort to walking on an incline on the treadmill as running ‘jolts’ and ‘vibrates’ the 4 metal pins that have been inserted which is something my Consultant has specifically asked me not to do as the bone has to be allowed to grow around the pins.
But also with the weather getting colder and my coat only over my shoulder on the left side, I have had to endure having my coat open (brrrrr), then when the wind gets up it blows it off of my shoulder and Im left struggling and twisting trying to grab the flailing arm of the jacket!
One consolation though, even though Ive been allowed by my work to arrive after rush-hour (they have been brilliant!), I have had several people get up from their seats on the train to allow me to sit down (thankyou so much for that if you have ever done that for someone. Its not like its my legs, but trying to hold myself upright with one arm and not fall over on a jolting train is very difficult and tiring so please think about this when you see someone struggling).
But I think its fair to say, I am SO ready to get out of this sling!

Thankfully, I have a review this weekend with my Consultant to see how it is all going and hopefully I will be able to change to a smaller ‘normal’ internally rotated sling. I may even be able to get back to training! I'm hoping to get back to running soon as I am missing it (obviously tape my arm to my side to keep it from moving) and maybe to take a dip in the pool (again, tape my arm to my side).
My shoulder is already feeling better and is moving easier with help from my left arm, it can hold itself up for a couple of seconds on its own - but I try to avoid that as much as possible - and my stitches are nearly healed (I took the dressings off ages ago as they were irritating my skin so it helped to get the air to them).

So, all going well, I should be more active and be in a different sling by this time next week, then it's onto the rehabilitation stage. I have my first rehabilitation physio appointment this week so I will keep you updated on the progress of that, but I am feeling positive about my recovery and determined to get the strength back into the shoulder that I haven’t had for nearly 2 years!

Thank you so much for all of you kind words and support since this operation. It all helps to keep me motivated.

Post Op.

2/11/2018

'You never realise what you have until it is gone'. This phrase has never related much to me before, until now, but its going to be a very long 6 weeks without the use of my left arm!

Of course it is only temporary, and I take my hat off to the people who cannot use one or more of their limbs permanently, because I didn't realise how much I rely on my left arm until now! Even typing this blog is a lot harder with just one hand! I can't tie my hair up, cut my own food, get dressed, or even wash my own hair. And have you tried pulling up jeans with one hand!!

But the hardest part is sleeping - as you can see by the photo ** my sling keeps my arm in a neutral position, and as I have to wear it day and night, when I am on my back my arm sticks up in the air and I lose circulation in my hand and fingers. Therefore, I've discovered its easier to sleep in a sitting position so my heart is higher than my arm - consequently, it is a real operation (no pun intended) to get set up ready for bed with about 20 cushions and pillows! But of course, Just when I had gotten into a comfortable position, I had to get up to use the toilet!

If I do my exercises every day and do not use my arm or its muscles then I should be in this sling for 3 weeks rather than the 6 they were threatening and then in a smaller sling for the other 3 weeks. It will then be the long road to recovery and getting my fitness back before the Europeans in July. It will only give me about a two months to get my new swim stroke sorted and some resemblance of fitness back.
I know that's a very tall order considering I haven't swum since September but with the help of my coach Kris - who just so happens to be a great swim coach - it might be possible.

However, for me, the hardest part of it all is going to be not training. I'm finding it impossible to keep still now and its only been 2 days since the operation. I am already driving my parents up the wall, mum says I'm a very 'impatient patient'. I cannot stand being in pain and incapacitated and I know I shall be missing my running and cycling. Although I've discovered I can at least walk at a fast pace with the incline right up on my treadmill today so there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

**The blue sling with the pipe laid over my black arm sling in the photo above is a cryo-ice sling. It is filled with cold water and is placed over my shoulder after exercising/stretching/physio (after being stored in the freezer) and designed to reduce swelling and oedema.

For all the female cyclists out there...

2/5/2018

I feel like Cinderella, except instead of a shoe that fits perfectly, I have a saddle that fits perfectly!

After having a bike fit done by Bianca at Fit Your Bike, on my new Trek from Richardsons Cycles, I finally feel ready to get on the road! Of course, it won't be for a few months yet after I have recovered, but with a brand new Cobb seat (that feels like I am sitting on a sofa rather than a bike!) and some amazing (and patient) work by Bianca, I will be ready to race on the roads by Summer!

The reason why I say Bianca is patient is because I do not make things easy for myself! Between my dodgy shoulder (which means I won't be able to rest on the TT bars properly, especially after the op), and my left leg being considerably longer than my right, I do not make for an easy bike fit. But what was the most uncomfortable on my new bike was the saddle comfort level.

However, Bianca knew exactly what to do to fix these problems. By making the pads that I will be leaning on further out means my shoulder doesn't have to rotate inwards as much although it does compromise the aerodynamics more.
She was also extremely patient with choosing the right seat. I am a bit unusual in that I do not like many of the specific bike seats that are available on the market – are you aware that there are seats made specifically for female bits which make a huge difference to the comfort levels when cycling long distances. Apparently the difficultly in the saddle hunt is that no two women are created the same (so because one model is perfect for your friend, it doesn’t mean it’ll work for you). That also means that you cannot look at a saddle and say ‘this seat is excellent and will suit you perfectly’, because what works for our nether regions might be very different for others. It also means that you cannot just choose a seat online and expect it to be comfortable - you have to try before you buy.

One women specific brand is Cobb. Founder John Cobb has been active in the industry since 1972 and after years of research (mostly through the use of his wife), he landed on one simple measure that could determine the perfect saddle for a woman: is she an ‘innie’ or an ‘outie’? (And we’re not talking belly buttons!).
There is a physical difference between the two types, and that difference can help tell you what saddle will be the best fit for your body type. And because women’s sexual anatomy is lower in the pelvic region, and cannot be “adjusted” like men’s sexual anatomy, finding comfort can be more difficult on a bike saddle. Cobb have found through research that the “Outies” tend to like the wider nosed saddles such as the Max or Fifty-Five models, while the “Innies” consistently like the Plus and V-Flow and the new Randee’ [narrower nosed] models.

So if you are having trouble with your seat or saddle and struggling to get comfortable then perhaps you need to consider whether you’re an ‘innie’ or an ‘outie’ and try out a suitable saddle for your anatomy.

There are many different makes out there to try but knowing what your body type is may help in deciding on which ones to try out.
Having a seat that feels comfortable is key to a good ride, not only because it saves you from days of chaffing pain, but also it means you can concentrate less on how you are seated on the bike and instead on how well you are cycling.
The Cobb VFlow seat, although it looks uncomfortable, is probably the best seat I have ever had!

Injury update...

1/29/2018

Ask any athlete if they have ever had an injury that wouldn't go away and you will get a definitive 'yes'. All athletes, from whatever sport, knows how it feels to train and compete and push through the pain with a long-term injury. But they also know when its time to get something done about it. I have joined those ranks.

For the last year and a half, I have had a shoulder injury that has affected both my training, racing and now even my everyday movements. I have tried to ignore it for this long, competing at both the European and the World Champs last year, and although it was possibly my best year yet, I feel it was hindered by my ever-slowing swim times. I told myself that after the World Champs, I would go back to my doctor to find out the cause of the pain and discomfort.

Since September I've had an MRI scan, CT scan and a diagnostic arthroscopy and I have finally found out what is wrong with my shoulder.
So in layman's terms the diagnostic how I see it: your shoulder ball and socket has to be able to move in many directions and the socket isn't as deep as your hip socket.   In order for the end of the humerous bone (ball) in the arm to stay in the shoulder socket, there is a fibrous cartilage called the labrum that wraps around the end of the humerous to deepen the socket and hold it in. It also acts as a shock absorber.
Due to the repetitive circular motion in swimming and a sudden dislocation and relocation of my shoulder during a swimming session one day, I managed to damage the labrum (I remember this well as it sounded like a crack, then immense pain and immediate loss of power in that arm). After a year and a half of continued swimming and therefore continued dislocations, I have managed to flatten and dislodge the labrum so it no longer holds the ball in the socket. So my arm slips out of the socket at the back when using that arm, hence the pain when I am swimming and other menial tasks. (see picture below)

Because the labrum is severely damaged, the end of the humerous isn't being held in the socket properly at all anymore, so anything that requires even a small amount of force on my shoulder (ie. picking a bag up, opening a door, changing gear when driving) causes it to move out of place. They call it posterior instability with dislocation. You can see the difference in the two shoulders just with me standing upright with the weight of my arm hanging down by my side. My left side has a deeper angle to it and drops lower than the other side.

So that is the diagnostic, now here is the solution: an operation that requires at least 3 months of recovery!
They are going to drill 3 rods into the bone, two at the back (posterior) to fix the damaged labrum and one at the front (anterior) to even out the pulling on the bone. They will then stitch the labrum onto the rods in order for the humerous to stay in the socket.

I will be in a sling and block for approx. 6 weeks, with restricted movement (see photo below), to allow the bone to 'grow' around the rods, then for the next 2 months, I will be having physio to get the movement and strength back into my shoulder.
Apparently, there is the possibility that I will lose the full rotation of my shoulder, which means my swim stroke will have to change drastically to accommodate this and the power in that arm will not be as good as the right arm, but the pros outweigh the cons and my arm will be useless if I attempt to swim with it anymore as I have no strength at all, so I am happy to take any consequences for it!

It is going to be a few long, slow and painful months recovery, and then (hopefully, if I am recovered in time) getting ready for the Europeans in July and the Worlds in September. I may have to miss out on retaining my title of the last 2 years of British Triathlon Champion and National Aquathlon champion, but I am determined not to miss my big events, the ones I have worked hard to qualify for. Many people have been through worse and bigger obstacles than this and still managed to carry on competing, so this is only a little hurdle to overcome. Look at Alistair Brownlee - he was back competing again a few weeks after breaking his foot last year. If he can do it then so can I.

I am prepared to work my butt off to get back my swim fitness and in the meantime I shall be working on my cycling and running to counterbalance the loss in time on the swim section, so all is not lost.

I have only swam a handful of times since my last race in September so it will be hard going but I have my determination and will – and the help of a fantastic coach who just so happens to be a great swimming teacher (Kristian Whitmarsh you have your work cut out!)

Nothing has changed and like I said last year, BRING ON 2018 – I love a challenge!

Achievements:

2016
- European Aquathlon Championships – Silver medallist U20     (France)
- European Triathlon Championships – 5th U20    (Portugal)
- British U20 Triathlon Champion
- National U20 Aquathlon Champion
- Castlepoint Sports Personality of the Year
- Essex Junior Sports personality of the Year
- Around 12 UK triathlons, running & open water races

2017
- World Triathlon Championships – 6th Place U20     (Holland)
- European Triathlon Championships – Bronze medalliist U20     (Germany)
- European Aquathlon Championships – 4th U20        (Slovakia)
- British U20 Triathlon Champion
- National U20 Aquathlon Champion
- Around 13 UK triathlons, running & open water races

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