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My Diary
by Gail Emms
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Monday 4th - Wednesday 6th September
Feeling so jet lagged. It has to be one of the worst and also the strangest feelings in the world. It is really weird as technically there is nothing wrong with me but any small bit of exercise leaves me feeling knackered!
The weekend was pretty relaxed - just met up with my boyfriend and sister in Reading and just chilled out and caught up with all the gossip. Training in the morning was a big bang back to earth and back in Milton Keynes training centre. I hate Monday mornings!! Managed the session- just about- and then it was back home to un-pack all my stuff from the Far East and do lots of washing! Then it was time to re-pack as I had to go to Denmark that evening. Myself and Nathan play for Team Vestsjaelland and there are 7 league matches before the play-offs and the final. Last year we played for Hvidovre and we were champions but this is a new team for us.
Donna Kellogg is playing for Greve this year and Tracey Hallam is still playing for Hvidovre. Rob Blair is playing for Vendsyssel and it was his team that me and Nathan were playing against on Tuesday. Our plane was delayed going out and so we didn't make it to Denmark til 11.30pm! Nathan had only landed from Hong Kong only that morning, so we were very tired!
Our match was in a town 45mins away from Aalborg in Denmark which meant a plane journey from Copenhagen. Another day of travelling was not what we needed but it had to be done. By the time it got to playing the match I could hardly keep my eyes open. I had to play mixed doubles with Rasmus Mangor Andersen and we played a match we should've won. We didn't. It was very embarrassing but it just didn't happen!
In the end we drew the match 3-3 and that meant a "golden game". It was decided to be mens doubles, so for 1 game to 21, Nathan and Rasmus versus Rob Blair and his partner. I think Rasmus was suicidal after cos they lost and we went away with just 1 point from the match. Not the best start we hoped for! At least it can get better?!
By the time the match had finished it was midnight and Nathan and I had to get to Aalborg to find a hotel to stay the night. We found one but only had 5 hours sleep before we had to get up, drive the hire car to the airport and catch a flight to Copenhagen and then get back to Stansted.
Sleep deprivation does not make me the nicest person in the world. It is horrible, and so am I!! I slept on both flights and in the car on the way back to Milton Keynes.
Donna and I had a training session with Andy and we played like we had legs that were as heavy as lead! Time to go home I think....!
Thursday 7th September
Training at Milton Keynes and then meetings. Training went well and then there was a meeting with all the badminton players and the staff. It was an opportunity to find out all what is happening behind the scenes. It was an ok meeting -but best of all is that I received £4750 for my medal wins!! Brilliant! Wasn't expecting that!
Went out that evening for Julia Mann's leaving do. She's off to Paris to coach the National team. We shared some old stories over some wine! We'll miss her. It was a fairly civilised evening as we were all training the next day. Julia is funny when she gets a bit tipsy - she just bounces up and down!! But no bouncing this evening.
Friday 8th September
