Anya tells us of her preparations and joy of competing successfully in Biathlon events...

I have been competing in the Biathlon event since the age of 9, encouraged by my parents, and later, competing for the love of it. The event involves running a set distance around a track before recovering and swimming later in the day. Depending on your age, the distances are less (starting with a 400m run and 50m swim for the youngest competitors) and gradually get longer the older you get (1600m run & 200m swim for me). To take part in competition at such a high level, proper training is essential. I have been swimming for Yeovil District Swimming Club for over 10 years and have ran with Yeovil Olympiads for the last 3. There is no way that I could compete at the level that I do without the support and friendships that I have made at both clubs, making every soggy track session and 5am wake up for swimming worth it - some of them truly are like a second family.

During the days leading up to a big event, I make sure to look after my body by resting and decreasing the distances that I run. The night before a race, I also make sure to eat a big bowl of pesto pasta and chicken to properly fuel myself for the competition, ensuring that there is a bit left over for lunch the next day. Timing my meals between races is also important to make sure that all of my food has digested before having to go again. I often snack on cereal bars and individual pieces pasta to keep me going.

Something that I love about racing year in and out, is that I always see same people at every event, making friends along the way and watching everyone grow around me. The part I enjoy most however, is that I am able to completely focus all of my attention on going as fast as I can, pushing my body to its limits in order to achieve a time to be proud of. I love that I can completely switch off from everything else by playing loud music and getting myself in the zone whilst I warm up, going into the race knowing that I am 100% ready. At the end of the race it’s really rewarding to look at all that I have accomplished, and know that I left it all out on the track.      

For anyone who believes running, swimming or getting active is too hard, all it takes is one step forward, then another and another.

Anya - U6^th Form - Wellesley House

Huge well done to @KSBWellesleyHse @KingsBruton U6 pupil Anya for finishing in 4th place at the U19 National Schools’ Biathlon Championships at Bath University over the weekend, a great achievement 👏💪 pic.twitter.com/5SkfQqXZaQ

— King's Bruton Sport (@KSBSportDept) October 19, 2021