I was really pleased to be awarded a grant from The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust Inspire Awards. I'm a cyclist, 15 years old and have been riding and racing on road and track for the last 7 years. My award is to help me further my cycling, specifically on the track where I'm aiming to make big improvements in pursuiting. This is an event where its me against the clock and I'll be riding at speeds of over 50kph.

Because the speeds are so high I'm going to need to be really aerodynamic which means I need to hold a very agressive position on my bike whilst being able to put out as much power as possible. To hold this position during the race requires loads of core strength. I'm planning on using my award to help pay for a number of sessions with a personal trainer specialising in core strength.

I've already had my first session. Jon looked at the position I need to hold on my bike and how I ride now. From that he did a few tests and started to put together a programme to strengthen some specific areas. My idea is that I'll work on these exercises at home (we're lucky enough to have a gym) and then when I see Jon again he will review progress and decide what changes or progressions are needed.

Some of the exercises he's given me to start with look so simple but are so hard to do correctly. I'm going to be working with Jon for at least the next three and a half months and at the same time I'll be training on my bike. I'm hoping to see some good improvements and feel the benefit of this work soon!