West Devon's Heather Fell, Olympic modern pentathlete silver medalist, writes about her life 'on and off' the track.

IT's been quite a week for sport in England and for England. Having never been much a of football fan I have made a point of watching this World Cup in South Africa. I was just really starting to get into it and now it's over already with my sweepstake teams both out and England on their way home!

Listening to all the pundits criticising the play it suddenly reminded me of fencing. I often have great advice from onlookers with the benefit of hindsight. The hardest part is balancing the attack with the defence. Obviously, I don't want to be hit but I also need to score hits myself. The disallowed England goal against Germany is a talking point but in sport you win some decisions and lose some. I can feel the players' frustration, but luckily I never have to deal with a whole nation's disappointment.

l Performing under pressure certainly brought out the best in two tennis players at Wimbledon. A record breaking fifth set in games (70-68) between a Frenchman and American showed some amazing skill and endurance. This was brilliant for tennis but less so for the winner, John Isner, who couldn't sustain his game during his next match the day after. It's amazing how an adrenaline-fuelled body can perform but it's not until the next day that you realise how mentally and physically draining it was — as I have discovered when having to compete in the relay the day after a final.

l I was lucky to have time free enough to fit my friend's hen weekend around presenting prizes at the Royal Logistics Corps sports awards and running a 3k track race. This will be the third hen 'do' I have attended when the corresponding wedding will clash with a competition. But then you have a whole weekend of girly fun and actually get to spend time with the bride to be. Another Tavy girl ties the knot — they're all growing up except me!