Triathlon Scholar Helen Mitchell Beaconhurst scholar Helen Mitchell talks about triathlon and how she combines school with competing as a national level triathlete….
“I’ve been involved in triathlon since I joined Stirling Triathlon Club with my dad Billy when I was seven years old.
I feel as if triathlon is my purpose in life and I train in its three disciplines – swimming, running and cycling – between eight and nine times a week. This is in addition to my schoolwork and trying to spend time with family and friends so it can be tough to fit everything in. But I can’t imagine my life without triathlon and I’m pretty excited just now because I was recently selected for Triathlon Scotland’s Foundation Performance Programme.
I was so pleased to be chosen for the national training squad which gives me the chance to represent Scotland and to really develop as a triathlete. It’s a great opportunity to compete against and train with people who are at the same level or better than me which is very motivating and pushes me on to improve.
We’ve already started a winter block of training for the squad, which is based at Stirling University, and I’m really enjoying it.
I got into triathlon when I was 7 and my dad, a member of Stirling Tri-Club, started taking me along to their junior training sessions. I did my first Aquathlon when I was 8 and carried on competing every year moving on to doing full triathlons when I was older.
I also joined Stirling Bike Club and Stirling Swimming Club so I could train with them and then last year I moved from Stirling High to Beaconhurst School after being awarded a scholarship.
I’m in S4 now and it’s quite hard to combine being good academically as well as doing all my triathlon training – but having the scholarship really helps. Beaconhurst has drop-in sessions where I can get help if I feel I am falling behind with my work and need to
64 catch up.
My teachers are all very supportive and the school is very close to the university which makes life easier because I can train at the swimming pool first thing in the morning and then walk to school.
Being at Beaconhurst gives me the time and flexibility to get enough training done during the day so I have time to do my schoolwork and to get enough sleep at night.
My academic work is also important to me and I’m currently studying French and German as well as English and I’d like to go to university and study French. I want to have a normal career but also keep going with triathlon and see where that takes me.”
By Helen Mitchell, S4, Beaconhurst School
Beaconhurst School runs a Scholarship programme for gifted children to help them combine academic excellence with their particular talent – whether that be in music, art or sport. Scholarship Week runs from January 27 to January 31 this year and application packs are available now by calling the school on 01786 832 146.
To advertise in thewire t. 07720 429 613 e.
the.wire@btinternet.com
School Jotters
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