Fran Williamson

Well, I handed in my first essay for my Masters degree this week (on Thursday).  I tried hard not to let it stress me out, there's not much point getting stressed, but I found the writing hard.  Its always tricky to get back into writing after taking a break, but also writing for a higher level made me question myself.  Obviously I did well in my degree but I'd learnt what the lecturers wanted from me, so this first essay can only act as a yard stick.  Hopefully my result will either tell me that my writing is fine, or give me an indication of what I need to do to step up to the mark.  Only time will tell.

I'm back in the pool. I saw my genius physio on Monday who gave me the go ahead. We're not in the clear, technically I'm still injured. But the damage that was in my shoulder is fixed, and the pain I feel in my shoulder is coming from elsewhere so no more damage can be done... In theory anyway.
I have a new coach, Ed Williams.  I'm pretty excited.  As I've said elsewhere on the site, I haven't had a coach in a number of years. So, I've had to motivate myself and rely on will-power to get in the pool everyday. Along with other pressures of being an athlete, this can be pretty draining.  So I am really looking forward to having more routine and structure in my training. And if it means I go faster, all the better.
Unfortunately (perhaps its not unfortunate) my first three months back in the pool are going to be pretty tough going.  Not only will I be finding my feet after a year out of training, but I have to get my fitness totally back on track in order to produce a target time of 65.7 [50m] in April. This is to prove myself to the team and UK Sport (our funders, and therefore keep my place.  The competition in April (where I have to post my time) will also be the trials for the World Champs in August... to qualify I'd need to go 66.06.  So all being well, the Worlds will be a given.  Fingers crossed.
I'm feeling good in the water, much better than before my ops. Just need to build up strength and fitness and we'll be rocking.

Until next time