Detox the beginning

Feel in the need of a bit of a health kick as I feel I've been eating too much of the wrong kinds of food - the processed sugary type - and drinking too much alcohol - I have a soft spot for good beer and wine! But this is a very important training/transition period and to get the most out of it I need to fuel my body with the right things. So kick starting a healthy eating diet today. Got a rough plan laid out for a week and just done my shopping consisting of plenty of fruit and veg. I actually prefer eating healthy and feel much better when I do, but sometimes the convenience factor leads me astray. Therefore gonna make sure I'm well prepared for the week ahead. After all, what else are Sundays for?! Also hoping my back strain will have magically disappeared by 2 morrow, hmmmmm

More from the test event...

Here's some online coverage - http://bit.ly/vy3oRm

Run out at the Olympic test event

Fought at the ExCel centre yesterday in the test event for the judo. Although the main aim is to trial the ins and outs of the procedures/inner workings of how the day will run it was a good experience for me - fighting in front of a home crowd and on the kind of staging that will be used on the day. I lost to the Brazillian in my 2nd fight but won 3 others to take the bronze. Now starts a hard block of volume training - no more comps till the new year. Well, I might get in a bit a Yule tide festivities, plus dare I say it, the big 3 0 is coming!

First Grand Prix medal

A tough day with 3 wins and then a loss in the semi gave me my first Grand Prix medal and a positive finish to 2011. I drew the no. 1 seed first fight but a tough 1 st match has proven to be a good thing for me and I won that, then a last 20 second score saw me through to the quarter final against the young Dutch girl. Another scrap saw me manage to hold onto a Yuko and I was in the semi. I had the Japanese and didn't give myself much time to settle into the fight before I came in for a weak attack which she stepped in front of, threw me then held me. A disappointing final fight but a result and a medal at the end of the day.

Dutch GP

At the airport waiting for easyjet flight to Amsterdam. Weighed 53.3 this morning and feeling small! Tomorrow will be the first time I've weighed 52kgs in 3 months - since the worlds. May have to do a little sweat tonight just to shift the last bit. Please note: this is not recommended! Looking forward to fighting now, feeling ready to rumble.

Bronze @ European cup

http://www.eju.net/media/?action=media&mode=showPhoto&id=20581&type=big&download=1

Back from Malaga. And just when you think all the washing is done..... Found more waiting in the basket! Won 2 lost 1 and although it wasn't my best performance it was good to have a run out before next week. Elbow/shoulder didn't give me too much grief just not quite 100%. Tough week ahead - will be focusing on staying sharp and hitting weight target.

Malaga European Cup

Brr crisp start for a little trip to Malaga. Let's see if the elbow holds up. Hat and scarf this end, shorts and sunnies the other.

V tired this morning and L shoulder muscles v tight. Did lots last night to try and loosen spine/neck using foam roller especially on left shoulder. Had a small breakfast – porridge with soya milk and a few blackberries + 2 cups filter coffee.
Stretching and Speed session 9.30 – 10.30 then time to hit the Game Ready!

Intense rehab

Lovely day today - as well as getting stabbed by the doc (flu jab) got stabbed by physio Ben as well. Chinese acupuncture style but not really as he was just going for the trigger points to do some muscle release. Not sore but slightly strange pulsing feeling. And on my tattoos as well! So at least I've been stabbed there before.

Training Castedelfells

 
 
 
 

Before the worlds

Europeans Istanbul 2011

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/judo/9465081.stm

GB World Cup 2010

http://www.redswhitesandblacks.com/blog/entry/1219211/judo-sophie-cox-on-course-for-london-2012-olympics