Little Pick Me Up
Running is in Sophie’s blood!
Waving the Union Jack flag, I cheered loudly. I really did love sport – both playing and watching it.
Not surprising considering I’d been taken to an athletics track at just 6 weeks old!
And entered my first track competition at 8 years old.
I got a bronze, but was gutted that I didn’t win!
My parents Caroline, 45, and Peter, 76, were both athletes themselves.
With my dad being a 1964 Olympic semi-finalist!
So, I guess it was safe to say that I’d caught the sporting bug…
Last June, I was standing in the crowds spectating at a national track event.
It was a really fun day packed with events, activities and, of course, sportsmanship!
Gold medallist Linford Christie was hosting .
‘Line up for the 60m sprint!’ called a voice over the Tannoy.
‘You should do it!’ said my boyfriend George, 18.
But I was wearing skinny jeans and sandshoes !
Still, I was egged into it... So I rushed over to quickly sign up for the race.
On your marks…
I sprinted like the wind. ‘We’ll get in touch with you if you’ve qualified for the Street Athletics finals,’ a lady told me. Fat chance!
But a month later I got call... I’d made it to the national finals of Street Athletics – a bunch of community-based events that encourage young people use sport to achieve great things in life.
Gobsmacked, I found out that George had made the 60m finals, too!
So, later that year, me and five other girls all lined up.
This time round, though, I was wearing the right gear.
I’d trained with my club the Preston Harriers since I was little – so I felt ready!
The horn sounded and my trainers pounded the track. Me and the girl in the next lane were head-to-head. It was a photo-finish. Seconds after finishing, I heard my parents cheer.
‘The winner is… Sophie!’ the Tannoy announced. My own gold medal! I now work for England Athletics, a governing body which helps those who are less able or fortunate get into sports.
I’d love to compete in the Olympics one day.
Preferably not wearing skinny jeans..!