Going to the Beijing Olympics must have been a very exciting experience. What was the highlight of the trip for you?
Beijing was an unbelievable and crazy experience. It was something that I had dreamed of doing ever since I can remember and then to be given the opportunity to be a part of it was unreal.
The whole thing is ten times bigger and better than you could imagine, like the food hall with 24 hour food on tap from anywhere in the world. Or meeting anybody from the 205 different countries competing at the Games. For me though, the highlight has to be the honour of representing my country at the highest level possible, and doing it with some of my best mates.
Did you always know that you wanted to pursue a career in sport? How have you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was very young I have loved sport, I used to look forward to Sports day and get excited that we could play on the sports field for one whole day. Now I get to “play on the sports field” all day everyday!
I have rowed since I was 8, along the way representing my school at numerous sports including netball and athletics. Rowing is the sport that got me hooked and it has given me some fantastic opportunities from traveling around the world to being able to compete at the Olympic Games in Beijing. It isn’t easy but I have a huge love for the sport and determination to get where I want to go.
Training for 2012 must be pretty gruelling, what does an average day consist of for you?
Training is very hard, but I enjoy it too. On a normal day I would get up at around 6.15 do about 100mins of rowing on the water. Have a break and a much needed second breakfast to re-fuel. Followed by a second session of probably weights in the gym or some land training on the rowing machine. Followed by more food for lunch, then either some work with the physio or a third session of trunk or a run. Then it’s home time for dinner and bed.
Do you have to follow quite a strict diet?
Food is a huge part of our lives! We have to eat more than the average person, per day we can consume anywhere between 3000-5000 calories, depending on what training we are doing. Of course that doesn’t mean 5000 calories of fast food. We eat a lot of carbohydrates like pasta and rice, combined with lots of protein which is vital for growth and recovery after sessions, so lots of yoghurts,nuts and lean meat.
Our diet is monitored every now and again by nutritionists and we are guided as to what foods are best for us to be eating. You only get out what you put in, and this is true for food too!
Eating lots of fruit and vegetables has been proven to leave you feeling fitter and full of energy – have you noticed this with your own diet?
I have to plan my diet well, so in that sense I am lucky enough to ensure I get lots of fruit and veg in. It makes a huge difference to me, and I can certainly feel it when I have eaten well for a day rather than cut a few corners.
Are you a fan of berries? What is your favourite berry?
I love Strawberries in the summertime, having them at barbeques or on the banks at Henley Regatta. I eat lots of blueberries too. Blackberries remind me of being little and picking them straight off the bushes in the garden.
What is your favourite way to serve berries?
I would put blueberries on top of my cereal and yoghurt in the mornings. They are a superfood so a really good way to get the day going. Slicing up Strawberries and mixing them with meringue and cream to make Eton mess is always a winner too!
