Testing

So as part of GB Bobsleigh I took a trip to Bath University to undergo some testing. This involved Dexa Scan and Skinfolds.....

First up was Skinfolds - this method is used to determine body fat composition, this type of testing is an estimation of body fat by using Skinfold Calipers. It's not the nicest of testing having someone pulling on your fatty bits and measuring them and by the time I had finished I looked like a dot to dot drawing down the right hand side of my body. I'm surprised Mia didn't try to join them up with her colouring pens!!

Second test was the Dexa whole body scan - this method is used to determine body composition characteristics such as lean mass, fat mass and bone mineral density. The procedure takes a total of 7 minutes where you are required to lay as still as possible. When ever I am asked to stay still you can be sure I have an itch that just won't go away!! It's amazing when you see the final image on screen showing just the bones and muscles. I looked like I had tree trunks for legs, it was as though I had blown up like the Nutty Professer does after his slimming postion has warn off!! Haha

Following the testing I was surprised with my body fat reading as I have always struggled to control my weight as a diabetic and then having Mia where I looked like I had put on about 5 stone!! The good thing was the Dexa machine didn't shout out "Fatty on board" and the guy kindly told me my reading was very good for a women to which I replied "what even with my body folds I've been carrying since I gave birth to Mia!"

Now I have the results I can keep an eye on my progress in losing more body fat and leaning up so next time I jump on the Dexa it will shout out "Skinny Mini Muscle Machine".......Wishful thinking ;o)

Devon County Championships 2011

After going through a stop, start Winter training programme and contemplating when I would finally step back onto the track I decided that the best time to see where I am at and blow out the cobwebs would be at my County Champs........

I always enjoy competing at my County Champs as this is where I started out when I was younger and I always remember my grass roots and appreciate where I came from plus it is nice for youngsters to see top athletes at these events and help support them and it's nice to see my fathers athletes and my training group in Plymouth compete and achieve Pbs and Medals.

For me this was a good weekend and not a bad opener. I became Devon Champ over the 100m with 11.7 and 200m in 24.4 and also got Silver in the Long Jump with 5m45. The conditions in Exeter where far from perfect this weekend but you have got to run regardless it's the same for everyone. My 200 was a nice easy run for me and I didn't push myself one bit I would have liked to have run under 24secs but the wind was having none of that!! My 100m was not technically good at the start as I just popped straight up but my drive phase was good and the rest was relaxed and easy and I didn't need to get out of first gear so I was pleased with that and I am not one to be able to run on my own so to come away with 11.7 is good enough for me it's early days yet and if the electronic timing was working it would have been quicker!! The Long Jump I just do for fun and I've not jumped in a while so thought I would give it a go and break up the sprinting. The only thing that gives me the distance is my speed on the runway I have no height at all when I jump if I could master that I'm sure I would be a pretty good jumper haha

So what's next for me from here on in? Well its back to training then next weekend Loughborough International. I have GB Relay Squad practise for two days then a race on the Sunday hopefully a 100m and a run in one of the two relay teams being put out. After that I am not sure when I will race next I have not really planned my races this year apart from the UK Trials in July that's the most important one and I want to make sure I am in the best possible shape to deliever on the day.