Honorary Degree Graduation

Signing the Honorary Degree Book 

Friday the 2nd of November 2012 I was awarded a Degree of Master of Science Honoris Causa by UCP Marjon Plymouth where I am an alumni. I was supposed to receive this Honorary degree last year but due to sporting commitments I was unable to make it so it was put on hold until now.

I feel very blessed, honoured and privileged to have been part of this occasion and given recognition. Myself and my family where made to feel very welcome by everyone and we had a fantastic day. Marjon did such a fantastic job and a massive thank you goes to Emma Renyard and Stan Cinnamond for making my day complete. I have never felt so nervous in my life than having to stand and collect my degree and bare my soul to the congregation and give a speech!!! This was probably because my speech was from the heart and this was my chance to thank the ones that have been there for me through the thick and thin and supported me every step of the way and I really don't think I can ever thank them enough and that's my Parents of course ......I struggled to hold back the emotions as I bared my soul to the room but I managed to talk about all the tough times myself and my family have been through and just how much they mean too me. I love my mum and dad so very much and I don't know what I would do without them.

Mia with Magnus Scheving aka Sportacus 

The same day as I got awarded an Honorary degree so did Magnus Scheving aka Sportacus from Lazy Town, of course I know who he is as I have Mia so get to watch these type of programs. I do have to say what a lovely man he was, he made Mia's day. I said hello and introduced Mia to him and he walked straight over to her picked her up gave her a kiss and a cuddle and chatted about Lazy Town. They sang the song together and he took her hand moved into some space and said 'you know Stephanie, I do a dance with her can I pretend you are Stephanie and do it with you' so they did. It was so sweet and made Mia's day, he personally signed a card for her too!! I really respect people like that who take time to make people feel welcome. We did have to explain to Mia that he was a bit like Superman and wouldn't have his suit on as he wasn't in Lazy Town bless her aye the things we do for kids

It really was an amazing day more than I could have imagined and having my family there too was even better. So thank you to everyone who was part of this day I raise a toast to you all xxxx

Winter has begun........

So the last time I did my blog I explained that I was going into have my plates and pins removed from my right wrist and wasn't sure if I would require a bone graft. The good news is I didn't my surgeon was happy with the results and at the moment no further surgery is required however I do need to be careful with weight baring through my wrist as I still have a few holes in my arm as a result of these pictured to the right.........

I have now gone into the Winter training phase which I can for once say I am really enjoying it at the moment!! Never thought I would say that as the Winter phase is the hardest part as its about putting down the foundations for next year which means I am having to put in the mileage.....yes that's right! you heard it correct, no sprinting or spikes for me!! The only spikes I will be wearing is of the Cross Country kind as at the moment there are talks of me having to do a few to help me get stronger and work on my endurance, plus a few 3k races on the road Eeeekkkk!!

Last month I was asked to start a trail run and whilst there they had a 2 mile fun run which Mia decided she wanted to have a go at which meant because she was so young and there were rivers and muddy puddles to tackle on route I had to join her on the run! It was great we both really enjoyed it even if the muddy puddles did come up to Mia's waist and she lost her shoe a few times she made it round in about 20 minutes and this was us afterwards however I wasn't impressed with the state of my nice trainers. I suppose I better get use to it though if I really do have to embark on some Cross Country running!! I have even gone and got myself a push bike to get riding too I really am on a get stronger mission......I was inspired by Mia as she has recently learnt to ride her bike with no stabilizers it only took her five minutes, she sat on and I pushed her whilst holding onto the seat she shouted 'LET GO MUM' I did and she was gone!! I was so proud of her so now we can go bike riding together which I cant wait to do!! Love being a mummy :o)

So at the moment things are going great I have been ill the last week with a horrible sickness bug which has attack the whole of the Endacott Family (sorry ) so that put paid to the training for a week so now I am weaning myself back this week and looking forward to the rest of the Winter and a few new adventures to undertake so till next time.........

End of the Season

I have recently gone into Winter Training mode as I called an end to my season after the Olympic Trials and have been busy in the weights room under new guidance, getting alot stronger and working on correcting weaknesses in my body. Also I have been putting the winter over distance work in on the track too and I never thought that I would say it but I have secretly enjoyed every minute of it and the challenge!!

This Saturday is the last fixture of the Southern League for my club and its a home fixture too so I thought it would be rude of me to not compete. I always enjoy competing for my club as this is my grass roots and where I started out and where I belong. So I have decided to taper the training down this week so I can do a bit of multi eventing on Saturday and have a bit of fun in my last comp of the outdoor season. A bit of running, jumping and throwing all in the name of points for the club, then back to the Winter graft!!!


As some of you may know I had surgery last year to have a ulna shortening done in my right wrist and next month I will again be undergoing more surgery to have my plates and pins removed as they cause me some discomfort due to where they are located. There is also a possibility that the bone has not formed correctly as in a previous xray on my wrist it showed a bit of bone that had not reformed properly so depending what the prognosis is when my surgeon goes in I could have to have a bone graft done!!!! I have been very unlucky when it comes to injuries but I will not know how my arm is until I awake from surgery on the 10th of September. As I have always said I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and I am strong enough to comeback whatever the outcome maybe. I have everything crossed that I do not have to have a bone graft done as the recovery is alot longer than I anticipated but what ever it is I will face it head on and deal with it, you can knock me down but you cant keep me down I will come back stronger...........

Sun is shining and a change is gonna come!!

At long last we finally have some good weather and just in time for the six weeks holidays and more importantly for me before my gorgeous girl goes into the big wide world and starts school in September!! Where has the last five years gone??!! I look back and remember like it was yesterday her being born, her first crawl, her first word (which was mumma of course! Lol), her first step, her first day at nursery and then to preschool and the next one will be walking her into her Primary School on her first day proud as punch as I know my baby girl is ready and confident and I know she is going to do just fine!!! That's enough of the proud mumma bit!! Haha. For me the next six weeks is all about change not only in my personal life but in my athletics as well. I have now joined forces with Plymouth Performance Gym to help improve on my strength and speed. The set up they have down there is perfect to me and the program being put together by Will which I will follow religiously is being design to my sporting needs and requirements and being out through some of the program this week has been fab including techniques and lifts I have never come across before and have been fun doing and killing me at the same time!! But I know that this work will help with my winter prep and have me in the best possible shape and less likely to get injuried for the Indoor Season. I haven't had the season I would have like this year but as any athlete/sports person knows that's just part of the game it doesn't always go to plan but that, that tries to break you can only make you stronger!! So now I have dusted myself off, put my plan together for the winter and I'm ready to get on with the program. This will be my hardest and most challenging Winter training ever but for once I can't wait to get on with it and pull out a few surprises along the way 😉 So for the next six weeks I will be enjoying the Olympics and wishing Team GB all the best from the comfort of my sofa, training my ass off, and enjoying as much time with my beautiful Mia as possible xx

Whats New?!

Wow I cant believe the last time I wrote a blog was back in May!!! Where have I been?! I am still alive I promise.

I guess with it being Olympic Year and everyone on their quest to make Team GB then everything else gets put on the back burner and forgotten about! So what have I been up too...............

Well although I was in good shape and ready for the Olympic Trials in June the normal thing happened to me and I picked up an injury two weeks before the trials at the English Champs where I had to pull out of the semi final of the 100m and had lots of treatment so I was able to run the 200m where I picked up a Bronze medal so was pleased with that considering the circumstances. Prior to the Trials I did very little I wasn't able to run at speed as I had a tear in my abductor so all I did for two weeks was warm ups, lots and lots of Physio, and plenty of K-Tape strapping!!! I went to the UK Trials and as any athlete or sportsperson knows running with a slight niggle is hard at the best of times. I ran in the heats of the 100m as a test to see how my leg was I held back at the start as I was worried this would be when the leg would go but it didn't. I missed out on the semifinal by one spot but I came away knowing the my leg was OK and all the work that had been done the last two weeks worked. Next up was the 200m and I enjoyed this I ran a seasons best and again missed out on the final by one spot!!! I know I wasn't in the best shape, or had the best prep going into the Trials, or even race fit. Three days before I was thinking I wouldn't make it there at all but I am glad I did and I feel blessed that I came away with my body in one piece!!

So like many others my dream of making the Olympics in London didn't come true but I am a firm believer like I have said before that everything happens for a reason and God has something bigger and better in store for me and my time will come. So now I will be backing the team!! Come on Team GB


With it being the run up to the Olympics I have been very busy with school visits talking about the Olympic Values, Olympic days at UPC Marjons where schools have had their own opening ceremony with the Olympic Torch, flags and mini parade, then the children get to do different sports even Mia got involved she loved every minute of it!! Also I was there to welcome the Ghana Olympic Team to Plymouth as they are staying at Marjons as part of there prep before going into the Olympic Village next week. This week I am going to Tavistock to do some speed work with the guys in the Swaizland Olympic Team who are based at Kelly College   

Reflection Time

So I was one of the lucky ones who was able to go to the Olympic Park and race inside the Olympic Stadium at the BUCS champs Test Event. The stadium was amazing and the track was lovely, however the walk to the warm up area and then too the call up room is a trek and a half to say the least this could have been your warm up!!!

I would like to say that I had a fantastic race but unfortunately that wasn't the case it just didn't go right for me and I am so annoyed at myself as I lost focus for a bit and then didn't get back in the race and everything went to poooooooh. I know I am in great shape at the moment and my starts have been perfect, my warm up went great I was feeling ready to go. Going through the call up and final call was great I was nice and relaxed and having jokes with the officials and girls. Then it was time to go out so I got myself focused and ready to do what I had come to do and that was run fast!! we where called on your marks but the noise in the stadium was load and I was thinking to myself this is not good put your hand up, go on do it!! As I went to put my hand up we where called into the set position and I was caught off guard and was ready the next thing the gun had gone........the race was a shocker for me I had no drive phase which has been perfect, I tightened up and the rest was history!!!!

I am so disappointed with myself (check out my angry face post race!! haha) I should have gone with my gut instinct and put my hand up I wasn't ready and it was so noisy, I am kicking myself that I lost focus but I have to reflex on that and I know that I will defiantly not make the same mistake twice, and its these mistakes that we learn from and put right next time!!!!! So now its onto the next race refocused and ready to lay it down, the only time its important to run fast is at the Olympic Trials so there is plenty of time for me to get it right and I sure as hell will this time round. I am only human and everyone makes mistakes and I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and it wasnt my time to shine it was my time to learn and get the bad one out the way now get over it and move on! its onwards and upwards from here on in...............

Enjoying the Week

So this week for me has been a good week. I have been getting myself ready to race this weekend inside the Olympic Stadium in the the UKA 100m race on Saturday night and things have been going really well in training.

To start my week off I managed to lift PBs in the weights room achieving a PB in both my bench press and deadlifts, I managed a 75k in the bench press followed with a 145kg deadlift. I could have gone heavier as I didn't struggle with this lift but I thought I would hold back as I am racing this weekend and it would be just my luck that something would go wrong and I would get injured, so I aired on the side of caution!!
Track sessions has gone well this week too and I will have my final session tonight which will be a block session before travelling up to London on Friday and then Race day Saturday where I will be good to go!!!! I cant wait to race under pressure and get competitive again, as long as I run well and fast I will be happy. Ive still got six weeks of hard graft left before I have to unleash and lay down the times, however it would be nice to lay them down early so I know I am moving in the right direction!!

I have been very lucky this week as I have been given some help with a few supplements from Better You Ltd and I had a lovely package delivered with some nice new things to try and one I was very keen to give a go was Magnesium Flakes!! I have always been a big fan of Magnesium as it helps alot with recovery, cramping and aids the muscles but I would normally take it in tablet form, so the first thing I did was fill up a nice warm bath and added the Magnesium Flakes and jumped right in!! It was lovely I felt so relaxed after, my skin and muscles felt great I will defiantly be using this product on a regular basis and will be taking my little travel pack with me this weekend!!!

So that's it for now I have some work to get on with and a race to prepare for so will speak to you all again soon

  

Season 2012.....

So the 2012 season has officially started and athletes have started their outdoor campaign in the lead up to the Olympic Trials in June, most top athletes at the moment are benefiting from being away on warm weather camps and racing in nice and sometimes perfect conditions in the heat, but me and many others are stuck in the UK and even worse in the Southwest and training hard in awful weather at the moment.

I have already had a few low key races and have won, but have yet to have the chance to push myself  and get out of first gear!! Really for me at this time of the year its all been about the technical side of things during racing for example concentrating on my starts and drive phase and then relaxing as I am winning by 20m or so. Another factor has also been the weather conditions here in the Southwest every race I have done has had a horrible headwind which hasn't helped one bit but training in Plymouth I am used to these types of headwinds but it doesn't mean I want to experience them every time I race as I want to be posting fast times and working myself hard instead of holding back!!! I am looking forward to being put under pressure and having to open up in a competitive race and run fast and for me that will come on the 5th May at the Olympic Stadium which is holding the BUCS. I have been asked to run in the 100m UKA event and I can't wait. It is a fantastic opportunity I get to see and race inside the Olympic Stadium and also get to be competitive which is what I need.

Training has been going really well and as an athlete you know whether you are in good shape or not, I have a good training group at home and have been working with the lads and they are making me work hard and pulling me along nicely. Its good to be working with people quicker as it makes me work harder. My dad has been working us hard and I know for the next 8days he will be working me harder so I can produce something good on the 5th. At least I will have a few days rest before racing.
I am now looking into how I can get some warm weather training in all I want to do is get away for a week the beginning of June before the Trials so I can do some fine tuning, get my head right and body right so I am good to go!! Financially I can't afford it at the moment so I am keeping my fingers crossed that a miracle happens or I win the lottery so I can take my dad with me and I get the best prep before the big one when it all counts!!! 

So for now I will leave you and next time we talk will be before my next race so I can tell you how the lead up has gone.........

Loving the Hard Work........

Since my last blog I have defiantly pulled my finger out my backside and stepped things up a gear in training. I am at the moment in a busy block of training where I am training twice a day most days a week getting in plenty of track time and time in the weights room which I have missed alot of due to the set back with my wrist but we have changed a few things so I am able to lift and continue with my strength programme. I am busy do alot of core sessions and circuits which if I am truthful have not really done a great deal of during my athletics career but I am really enjoying this part and am begin to see the benefits.

I have also managed to find a Pilate's Class which I can fit into my busy lifestyle and I started it this week on Monday morning and I really enjoyed it, I thought I would find it really easy where in fact you can make it as easy and as challenging as you like and I do love a good challenge so I pushed myself and felt it the next day hahaha. I plan to continue with Pilate's now and use it as part of my programme as I know that it can help alot with muscle strength, speed and relaxation.

I said in a previous blog that I had done racing for the indoor season, well this has now changed as I am racing this weekend at Leigh Valley in the McCain's City Challenge Indoors Final for London South and I have been asked to do a 60m and also a 200m in the medley relay. Surly I can at least run a Seasons Best this weekend anything has to be better than what I have ran so far this indoors!!!! I have not adjusted my training programme at all for this weekend  I am simply using it as a marker to see how things are going now I am in a hard block for the next 6 weeks, I am 3 weeks in already...........

Always Pick Out the Positives

Well my indoor season didn't really get under way as I would have liked and it didn't really get much better at the Aviva World Trials and UK Championships which took place last weekend in Sheffield. I kind of feel like I am yet again on the comeback trail after a season away from racing due to injury and I am defiantly not race fit or sharp at the moment. It does take me a while to find my legs so it looks like I need to be finding myself some early races this outdoor season so I am ready for the Olympic Trails which are alot earlier than normal this year.

I did come away from the trials with a Bronze medal in the 200m but I had to fight for that one, there was know way I was returning back to Plymouth empty handed I nearly threw myself over the line!!! I just didn't get out of first gear and again stepped off the track knowing that I had so much more left in the tank!!!!!!! As for the 60m that was just a massive disappointment I ran terrible I scrapped through by the skin of my teeth for the semis and failed to make the final, yet in the warm up area my legs where shifting nicely but as soon as they got on the track it just didn't happen!! So I was annoyed with myself as I know I am in better shape than what I have shown so far!

So its onwards and upwards and back to a grueling six weeks of training with double sessions and it started this week and my body is not liking me at the minute I am counting the days to rest!!! haha. I know I have to push my body as I want to be in the best possible shape come the outdoor season and not leave any stone unturned its all guns blazing!!! I WILL lose weight, I WILL have a six pack back and I WILL run fast...................

2012 Has Started......

I am finally home after my kick start to my 2012 season and it all took place at the NIA in Birmingham at the Birmingham Games.

I can't believe how long it has been since I have actually raced, I am sure it is 10 months since my last competitive race, I did an open meet back in December but for me that wasn't competitive I just went there to see how my body was doing knowing that I wouldn't have to push myself at all, but this weekend was a test for sure!!!
I have mixed emotions about how this weekend went for me I know that I am in great shape but for me as an athlete it takes me a few races to get back race fit and back in the competitive mode again and this weekend proved that!! It was as though I have to teach myself and learn how to compete again!!

The 60meters for me where a disappointment, I use to be a very good starter and have been working alot on my starts and drive phase and am now back to how I use to be but the back end of my racing let me down this weekend I was up there at 40m but then my transition into my top end running went to pot and my shoulders came up around my ears and a monkey jumped on my back, and the only person who was making it hard for me was myself!! I had a easy run in the heats and semi but the final it all went wrong just tightened up and wasn't going anywhere. The positives I can take from this is I know I am in shape to run quick I just need to relax at the back end of my race and I will be fine!! I finished 5th in the final!!! Bad times!!!

Next up was the 200meters and I really enjoy running the 2s indoors and always have. I had a real comfortable run in the heat and won it in a relaxed run of 25.29 and didn't even get out of first gear. In the final I finished second in 24.51 which I am happy with as it wasn't run as well as I should have, I was in lane 6 and I hate not having anyone to chase down, I didn't drive the first bend like I would normally and on the start of the 2nd bend I didn't work the bank but on the plus side I worked the last bend well which I always do and took myself from 4th to 2nd!! So many positives to take from this race I came off the track knowing that I didn't work hard at all throughout the race and had plenty more left in my legs, I know what I have to do to get it right and am now looking forward to the next 200m next weekend at the UK Trials where I will not be leaving anything in the tank or making any mistakes through the race I want a low 23 if it kills me!!

So this week will be a few technical issues addressed and then heading to Sheffield where I will defiantly be running the 2s and will make a decision in the week if I shall do the 60s as well.....

Time Flys......

I can't believe that on Sunday I am going to be another year older!!! In my head I am going to be 21 all over again when in reality I am going to be 32 but I still feel like a 21 year old anyway so it doesn't matter. I am looking forward to having breakfast in bed which will be made for me by Mia and my partner as apparently Peppa Pig does that for Mummy Pig so Mia would like to do it for me bless her. She keeps asking me how many sleeps till my birthday she gets so excited, I wish I was like that birthdays are great when you are young and now for me its just like another day but I shall get to spend it with my family and finish it off with a nice Hill session!!! No rest for the wicked I got plans for 2012

A week later I will finally be starting my 2012 campaign and kicking off my Indoor season with the first stop being Birmingham for one of my favorite events the Birmingham Games, I always enjoy this competition and perform well so I have decided to make this one my opener and compete over the 60m and 200m and then the following weekend after its the long old treck to Sheffield for the UK Trials  where again I shall be competing over 60m and 200m.

Its been wierd this week in training as I have had a few block session and when you get these you know that the season is fast approaching and its count down to race day and I cant wait Ive had itchy feet to race since the begin of January but for once I have been patient. I look forward to see what I can produce Indoors even if it is going to be a short indoor season for me, at the moment I am just looking at it as a guide to where I am at and look at what needs to be worked upon so that I am ready for the UK Outdoor Trials in June where everyone will be going all guns blazing to see who can make Team GB Olympic Team what every I achieve indoors is a bounus and you never know what can happen on the day and on that start line........

January ahead........

So its January and the Indoor season is fast approaching and for some it has already started or it is about too. I have normally run by now but this Indoor season I have decided to try something different and hold back on opening up until the Birmingham Games which take place the first weekend in February and the week before the UK Trials. I do like to get a few races under my belt early as it takes a few to get my legs going again but I am in good shape at the moment and want to get the sessions in as the most important thing about this year is the Olympics so the foundations need to be laid down now in order for me to be ready when it counts most and that's in June when we have our UK Olympic Trials!!


I have been a bit unfortunate and had a bit of a set back with my wrist which I damaged last year and am going to have a CT scan next week to see if I can have my plate and pins removed as they are causing a few problems for me plus I need to have my cartilage checked to see if it is still in tacked as I am having some discomfort like before so I have now had to stop using my arm so much and give it a rest, so certain weightlifting is out of the question at the moment so I have been putting other things in place to replicate what I am missing. I am enjoying this though as it brings in something different to my training so I am not getting bored of doing the same thing over and over again. I am now becoming a master at resistance training and I have the legs to prove it!!! I am also now doing alot more running both on the track and on the hills, plus jogging for distance!!!! Its got to be done!!!

I am looking forward to the next few weeks going into competition and the fine tuning that will take place I cant wait to get competitive again, its been a long time coming and I have everything crossed that this year will go smoothly with none of the usual hiccups that I tend to come up against along the way! I am in a good place in life at the moment and feeling ready for whats ahead in 2012............BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year...... 2012 is Finally Here

I can not believe that the last time I blogged was back in November!!! what has happened since then and where has the time gone?!! It's now 2012 and the year for the London Olympics can you feel the excitement?! cause I CAN!!!!!!!!!!!

So I have been really quiet on the blogging front and I am sorry for that, my new years resolution is to blog more haha. Before I get started on the year that is now 2012 and my plans for this season I guess I best fill you in on what has been happening sine November so here goes............

First up on the list is Bobsleigh.......
I finally got to experience my first ever time on ice as a brake women and what being part of Bobsleigh is all about and it really is an eye opener. You don't appreciate the hard work that goes on behind the scenes in Bobsleigh you think you get there push the Bob for a bit, jump in and enjoy the ride. Its far from that I can tell you, there is so much prep that goes into getting that Bob on the ice and down the track and a lot of loading of the Bob on and off the vans and onto the track itself but the ride down is a thrill of adrenaline I don't think you will ever find anywhere else it is amazing!! If I was asked to describe it I would have to say its like being in a tumble dryer blindfolded (not that I know what it feels like to do that I must add, haha) I hope there is plenty more times to feel that again soon.
I did enjoy my time in Winterburg and was grateful to have had Gareth and Mia out with me however there was no snow or much for them to do so by the end of our time there Gareth had had enough of boardgames and the psp!!!

Secondly was my dads 60th on the 15th of December so I decided to through him a surprise party on the Saturday. His birthday fell on a Thursday and that would be a coaching night for my dad and training for me so I cancelled the training night and we took my dad out for a nice meal which was lovely. I always write a little message in his cards just to say thank you and how much I appreciate him in my life as he has been my driving force and backing always, he became a little emotional and so did I, I do love you though Dad and Thank you!
The Saturday was even better he had no clue what was going on, I spent Saturday sorting the room with my brother John putting up pictures of my dad growing up, balloons and banners. He thought he was going to a friends Christmas works party with my mum so he was surpised to walk in and see family and friends to celebrate his birthday and he had a fab night which I am happy about as he truly does deserve it

Thirdly was Christmas. Now I have Mia in my life Christmas has a completely different meaning to me now as its all about her and seeing her face when she wakes up and sees that Santa has been. The thing with Mia is that she is very grateful whatever she receives and this year I brought her a Wii and she has played it every day since!! At least it keeps her fit!! but it does get tiring when both me and my partner are competitive we spent nearly four hours one night challenging each other not one of us like to lose and Mia is just the same so you can imagine what it is like in our household haha


And finally the New Year was seen in at a family fancy dress party at my aunties Guest house. I went as Bat women, my partner Gareth went as Captain America and Mia was Super girl we where a family of Marvel superheros and it was fab seeing the New Year in with loved one playing a few games, dancing the night away and a few cheeky drinks



Whats in store for 2012?.........Well its all about making the Olympic Games, so its hard training until my legs and body are ready to run my socks off!!!