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

Last Monday we began our final full week of training before the World Champion-ships and the intensity was upped another notch. Not only did we have twice as many fencing sessions but we were also sent up to Hertfordshire for some specific riding practice. I find that travelling so far for just a few hours' training can be a little frustrating so I made the most of it by heading up the night before to stay with a friend.

I needed to fit a running session in so with time to spare I set off for a short easy jog equipped with a mental map of the area as described by my friend. Having navigated several footpaths and enjoyed the countryside I hit the road for what I thought was the final leg, yet after at least ten minutes in this direction I started to feel I wasn't quite on course. Eventually I found a local who thankfully reassured me I was heading on the correct route but just several miles further away than I had intended.

By now I had exceeded my planned run by over 20 minutes and the blister on my foot was growing so I was left with only one option, I held out my thumb. Unfortunately I either had the wrong signal for hitchhiking or just looked too dodgy as not a single passing car (of which there were many) even slowed down so I had no option but to continue hobbling back.

On reflection I was disappointed that as a nation we feel it isn't safe to give a lift to a girl in broad daylight but was left wondering if I would have had more luck had I been in Devon.