Olympic Bronze medalist Georgina Harland Interview

Georgina Harland

"I love the diversity of pentathlon. The sport was designed to challenge every single part of you, mentally and physically, and the five events are so different that I rarely have to question my motivation. I train six days a week, up to eight hours a day - covering each discipline four to six times during the week. I also do two gym sessions and a psychology session. It sounds a lot, but my whole lifestyle is geared towards the sport. I am full of admiration for anyone who has a fulltime job and keeps fit, because I know from my pre-professional days how hard it is to motivate yourself to train after a day at the office.

"I think people are very hard on themselves about exercise - they never feel they have done enough. But every little helps. Rather than beating yourself up because you haven't done the four sessions you planned, say to yourself, 'Well, hey, I've done three good sessions.' The first four weeks are the worst. If you can just get through that phase, you will be soon be making progress like you wouldn't believe.

"It's a good idea to keep a training diary, so you can look back at what you've achieved. It is easy to lose sight of how much progress you've made when you are going through a bad time. If at all possible, join a club or group for your activity; there is more incentive to go if you have arranged to meet other people.

"I think it is important to have variety in your training, whatever your activity. If you go to the gym, don't always work the same muscle groups, if you run or swim, vary your speed or stroke. Also, don't be afraid to try a sport - the gym isn't for everyone. My mum, at 60, has just taken up running, and is planning to do the marathon. In the gym, we do a lot of core stability work with a Swiss ball. Nearly all athletes have started to do core training during the last three or four years, and, for me, it has really made a difference in terms of less injury and better performance.

"Whatever activity you do, don't do it mindlessly. Set yourself goals - even better, write them down to make them real, and then break them down into steps. Once you achieve a goal, reward yourself - celebrate what you have achieved. Ideally not with five pints down the pub, but maybe by buying yourself something, or having a massage. There are times, particularly in these winter months, when you look outside and have second thoughts about going training. But as soon as you get out the door, you are fine. My ultimate aim is to go out there and win, so when I'm feeling a bit lazy I tell myself, 'If I'm not training hard today, someone else will be.'"
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