On Cloud Nine

The last fortnight has been huge for me for many reasons. Most significantly is the fact that I have moved to the Swiss ski resort of Leysin to begin a new chapter in my training as I aim, amongst other things, for the 2012 London Olympics. I now have a fantastic new sponsor with Sigma Sport which has all the makings of a great partnership. I also have a brilliant new bike sponsor – I am absolutely loving my Specialized Tarmac Pro road bike with its extraordinary power to get me up these Swiss mountains. I’m also having to cope with a re-arrangement of letter keys on French keyboards

With so much change change, it is difficult to decipher a beginning. I think the best place would be the conversation I had with my friend and former great triathlete, Annie Emmerson. In this discussion I decided to make my move now or get out of the sport all together. Now I have been given an amazing opportunity to train in Switzerland and learn with a great group of triathletes who are chasing similar dreams to me.

I have committed nine years to triathlon and observed, experienced and absorbed a huge amount. My decision to come to Switzerland stems mainly from the fact that I acknowledge that I have plenty left to give to triathlon and a lot more to achieve. I need people around me to help better my understanding, to maximise my ability; a group to compete, learn and grow with.

So this week I have been spun around, rotated and set to task. I am a focused and happy girl. Whilst I learn to cope with the focus, the lifestyle, the altitude, the hills, the workload and make new friends, life is very simple for me. As I look out of my window my head is literally ‘in the clouds’. It’s going to be tough to stay here – the work is hard but I will try. I can’t wait till my next session let alone my next race

A huge thank you to Sigma, Specialized and 2XU, and everyone who continues to help support me in my career.