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

I love this time of year — the evenings are suddenly much lighter, the birds are singing and the daffodils are well and truly out. To top it off I had a whole weekend at home and the first one for weeks with no competition. 

It was thanks to this unusual free time and pleasant weather that I could really enjoy Dartmoor before the tourists descend on us. On Saturday, when out for a ride on our young horse, and Sunday, when out for a long run, it was so peaceful, I didn't see a single person. To us this may seem normal but I was reminded it isn't when I was followed by a film crew for the day. All three of them (the producer and camermen) were from London; they could not comprehend quite how quiet it is down here; so maybe when we get annoyed with 'rush hour' traffic on Plymouth Road we should remember how lucky we are!

The big event is steadily creeping up — well the one that many athletes like myself are training day in day out for — and the tickets for the London Olympics are now for sale. The cut off for ticket registration is looming, yet there are so many sports it is so difficult to choose. Yes, athletes also have to apply through the same system as everyone else, and we won't know if we are competing until just two months before. So it really is quite a gamble, especially as you have no idea how many or what events you might end up with. I certainly recommend applying now as what ever you end up seeing it will be worth it.

On Friday night I ventured across the Tamar — always a little risky, haha — but it was for charity. It was a treat to be a guest at the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution dinner and listen to a fellow Olympian's story — even if he is Cornish! Ed Coode, Olympic Gold medallist from the coxless four in Athens, gave an interesting insight into the training of another sport, along with hearing the adventures of around the world cyclist Vin Cox. It was a truly inspirational evening.