Heather Fell, Olympic modern pentathlete silver medalist, writes about her life 'on and off' the track.
LAST Sunday was my first ever experience of 'trick or treating.' As a child I was always envious of my school friends who had streets and streets of houses to knock on, unlike my sister and I who would have had to find our way across Dartmoor in the dark for the chance of a 'neighbour' having any treats.
I have also never spent the evening of Hallowe'en in, when living in a populated area. Therefore I hadn't realised I was expected to have a supply of sweets and treats at the ready. All I could find in the cupboard were sports energy bars, so there might have been a few hyperactive children running around Bath that night.
n I've just had my autumn nutrition consultation, at the beginning of the training season it can be quite varied. My weight and skin folds all passed, with just the little extra layer, essential to keep me warm over winter. My blood test results were almost perfect, just deficient in one area, vitamin D. Our bodies make this from sunlight. So with the long winter ahead I think I need to convince the performance director that taking the squad on a warm weather training camp would be far more beneficial than vitamin tablets!
n On Saturday I got my first taste of competition this season. I was invited to compete in an epee fencing competition with a difference. It was mixed, one third women two thirds men. I made the most of a great training opportunity and won far more of my fights than expected, beating a few of the more experienced men, who weren't quite sure how to respond. Even though I won 50 percent of my fights I did not manage to disrupt the 100% male final, but I did come home with the 'top lady' prize. There was also a team competition consisting of 11 teams, put together at random by the organisers. It was obviously my lucky day as I found myself in the victorious team.