|
Duathlete
D.O.B:
06.06.1975
Occupation:
Detective Constable in Hampshire Constabulary.
Profile Club:
Hampshire Police Triathlon Club / Hampshire Police Athletics
Ambitions/ future aspirations:
to continue to represent Great Britain in the Elite European and World Duathlon Championships 2010 & 2011. Represent Police Sport UK, Great Britain and England at half marathon, 10 mile and 10km road running races in 2010 and 2011. 2011 and 2012 progress to longer distance competing in long course triathlon and marathon. My ultimate aspiration is to compete at the Olympic Games London 2012 in the marathon.
|
 |
PB’S:
• 10.3km 34.19
• 13.1 miles 73.08
Achievements
2008/2009 – Triathlon / Elite Duathlon
• 1st National Police Olympic Triathlon Championships
• 3 x National Ranking Duathlon Championships 2009 – 3 x 1st female
• Elite Duathlon Championships 2009 – 1st female
• Elite European Duathlon Championships 2009 – 7th female
• Elite World Duathlon Championships 2009 – knocked off bike just before transition 2 (gutted)
|
2009 - Running
• British 10km Road Race 2009m(10.3km) – 2nd female overall, 1st British female – 34.19
• Bristol Half Marathon 2009 – 3rd female overall, 2nd British female – 73.08
Personal (all about me)
I was born the youngest of four children and grew up with two outdoor type brothers and an inspirational adventurer as a father. I grew up in the gorgeous area of Poole in Dorset and as a family we lived a good outdoor lifestyle what with living by the second biggest natural harbour in the World.
I was not really a natural academic at school and my dreams growing up were a want to travel and I think this came from the many stories from my father “years ago when I was in the merchant navy I…..”.
|
Photo: PaulPhillipsTriathlon.org
|
Sports wise I danced from the age of around 4 years up until I was a teenager and loved it, I guess I then just got into things that some teenagers do and gave up sports for a while.
I went on to get my dream job in travelling as an air hostess for Virgin Atlantic and was completely like a pig in mud flying long haul and travelled the world in style for free, lucky me.
I got back into sports in my late teens doing dance type aerobic classes, spinning classes, running and yoga. Like us sporty types exercising became a way of life with a love for it and a love for how it makes you feel, especially when it’s all over.
I reached my mid twenties and felt I needed a job with my feet on the ground a little more, and for some unknown reason I applied to join the police force. Before I knew it I was on a training course and then patrolling the streets of Southampton which was a bit different to the pleasantries of being an air hostess!!! I have since become a detective and feel I have a very interesting and challenging career in the future within Hampshire Constabulary.
I met some great colleagues who were into triathlon, Ironman, and became inspired by the sport so began training in the disciplines. I then met my wonderful husband, Kev and luckily he too loved triathlon and together we got hooked on the training.
I never ever competed in sports and never felt the want too until Kev bought me a rather attractive tri bike and wet suit and I thought I better had do a race now! He knew my times were competitive, I didn’t, however this was in September 2008 and my sporting adventure began.
Best race
My best race was the Bristol half marathon. This was my only my second ever run race and first half marathon race I had trained for the distance for 4 months only. I turned up in my old training trainers, leggings and a t-shirt and stood on the start line next to some very impressively looking and sports dressed females and though oh hell! I was aware that the race also doubled up as a qualifier for the World Half Marathon Championships and that the females qualification time was 74 minutes. I honesty had no idea what my time would be. When I crossed the line in 73.08 I was so thrilled and was congratulated by UKA and Athletics Weekly, wow.
Worst race
Has to be the World Duathlon Championships 2009 in Concord, North Carolina representing Great Britain in the Elite race. I had been training all summer for the race and also missed out on representing Great Britain in the World Half Marathon Championships due to the race dates clashing, so my focus and hopes were high for this race. The race plan discussed with a coach from British Triathlon who coaches me, was for me to stay with the other females for the first 10km as the cycle leg was a drafting race and I would need to work with others rather than be on my own and get eaten up by the strong cyclists. I followed the plan and then cycled the 40km with the lead pack and just had 5km run left to do, my strongest discipline and I was tasting the gold. On the last 500 meters of the bike leg, for an unknown reason a French athlete swerved, hit my bike and we collided the next thing I knew was head butting the tarmac at high speed! It was not a pretty site and has taken 6 weeks to recover from the bruising and wounds!!!! And the mental disappointment too!!! However the World Duathlon Championships are on home soil in Edinburgh in 2010 so a very determined athlete I will be given the chance.
Favorite Brooks Products:
My favourite Brooks trainer is the Brooks Radius R7. I love the support on long distance running. I also love the Brooks adrenaline shoe for shorter running and a lighter trainer. I have big feet for a girl, size 8 but slim, so love that Brooks do a thinner fitting. I have recently tried Brooks running long sleeve tops and love these too, they are like a silk liner that keep you warm but regulate body heat, awesome.
