Back Across the Pond.

Well, here we go again.

It seems only yesterday that I arrived in Massachusetts, full of nerves and anticipation, ready to start my first year. Looking back, Freshman year was such a whirlwind. The first semester and hockey season flew by and before I knew it, I was flying home for summer.

Summer 2014 was one of the best summers I've ever had. I feel like I say that every summer, but that can't be bad thing! The best part about this summer was that I spent so much time with friends and family. I'm so happy that I got to visit lots of old friends from school and hockey. I think it's so important to keep in contact with people who have been a big part of your life, never forget where it all started! I was also fortunate enough to have travelled a lot this summer, which was amazing! We went to Oslo, then France and Spain. Obviously I can't forget our special trip to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. My previous blogpost is about our time at Glasgow if you want to check it out. Overall summer was a lot of fun, full of happy times and great memories. Thank you to everyone who I spent time with and made summer special, you know who you are :) I miss you all so much already.

Here are some photos from summer:

My flight back to America was lovely and smooth, I even arrived early! I did think I'd won the jackpot when they closed the plane doors and I had 3 seats to myself. This was then shattered when an old couple decided to move to my row because there was a crying child near their original seats. Not so lucky after all...

I'm so excited for my second year to start. I can't believe I'm a Sophomore already! We will all meet tomorrow, move in and then Pre-Season starts on Wednesday, ice baths here we come! I'm really looking forward to being back with the team, playing hockey again and enjoying every second of my time at UMass.

Here's to another amazing year at the Zoo!

Roll UMass!

Ciao,

Hannah x

XX Commonwealth Games.

We are currently right in the middle of the 20th Commonwealth Games, hosted in Glasgow, Scotland. I love watching any sporting major but this one was particularly special for the Farrell Family Household! Early in the summer my brother, Tom Farrell, was selected to run for England in the 5000m race on the 27th July, so we have been eagerly awaiting the Commonwealth Games!

Many of you will know that we are quite a sporty family, with my Dad being a 3.44.78 1500m runner and my Mum a 1.86m high jumper. I'm currently playing hockey in America for the University of Massachusetts and hope to continue my hockey career after university and maybe one day achieve an international selection.

Flashback!

In 1986 my Mum was selected to compete for England and travelled up to sunny Scotland to jump at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, now, 28 years later my brother also found himself travelling up north to Scotland for his first Commonwealth Games too! Back in '86 my Mum, Jenn Farrell, placed 8th in the high jump, a very successful performance. Therefore, the ongoing joke was that Tom had to try and beat Mum's position of 8th place...

Tom has had a summer of successful races leading up to the Games including the British Championships and the Oslo and Glasgow Diamond Leagues. He also spent the majority of his time training up at altitude in various places such as Utah, Kenya and Font Romeau, in order to maximise his training. Tom flew back from altitude a few days before his race in Glasgow and was then dropped off at the athletes village to prepare for his race on Sunday.

The night before Tom's race felt like Christmas Eve. We were all filled with excitement, nerves and anticipation! My parents, Gran and I left home at 7am on Sunday as we had tickets for the morning hockey session. The hockey was great, despite a bit of drizzly rain! We watched Australia beat Scotland 9-0 and then England beat Maylasia 5-0. Even though the hockey was world class, I couldn't help thinking about Tom's race later on in the day.

When we reached the athletics stadium at Hampden Park, we were greeted with lots of family and friends who had made the journey up to Glasgow to support Tom. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets, it was great to share the experience with family and friends in the stadium! We were all equipped with loud voices, England flags and 'TOM FARRELL" t-shirts, looking like the ultimate fan club! I can't decided whether I was more nervous or excited, but either way it was an overwhelming experience. I can't imagine how Tom felt stepping out on to the track in front of 45,000 people. The atmosphere was electric from start to finish.

Tom ran an amazing race, finishing 7th and running the 3rd fastest time of his career, 13.23.96 for 5k. Tom stayed with the leading pack for the race and executed a great championship run. After following injury disappointment before the London 2012 Olympics, this was Tom's first senior Championships and his experience was extremely successful. Most importantly, he managed to beat Mum's Commonwealth achievement of 8th place! However, there's no time to celebrate yet because he has jetted off back up to France to get some more altitude training in before the Europeans in Zurich.

Our time at the Commonwealth's was short but sweet, but truly unforgettable! Glasgow has done a fantastic job at hosting the games so far, apart from large crowds making transport very busy, our experience was great. The officials at both the hockey and the athletics were extremely friendly and helpful. Let's hope the success continues for Team England!

That's all from me, time to get my hands on some England kit! Thanks bro!

Here our some pictures from our time at the Commonwealth Games.

 Ciao,

   Hannah x

UMASS BABY!

Alohaaa!

I thought it was about time for a blog post as I have finally found 30 minutes to lie down on my bed and write it...(even though its 11pm).

During the days it's non-stop and then at night I'm too tired to do anything. However, tomorrow we have our first 'lie-in', so I can afford a later bedtime...rebel, I know ;)

Sooooo...

I have no recollection of dates or days because, right now, I'm eating, sleeping and breathing hockey so my brain can only cope thinking as far back as beginning this blog. So bare with me!

So for these 2 weeks we are in 'pre-season'. This is where there is no lectures or uni work, literally just hockey. The first and second year students (freshmen and sophomores) are staying in dorms along a corridor, which is obviously great fun and just like starting boarding school all over again!

Near the end of August I will be moving into my permanent dorm with an American girl who's also on the hockey team :)

(University of Massachusetts Campus)

After literally dumping my suitcases in my temporary pre-season dorm the craziness began...

The first day was filled with standard stuff like physicals, meetings, getting equipment etc etc. Then it was all hockey timeeeee.

However first we had to complete the mile test. We had all been set target times that we were training for over summer and mine was 6.30. It was super hot (for an English kid) at 9am but we all ran it as a group and it was really motivating! I finished in a time of 6.33 which I am really happy about but also know I could've got those 3 seconds. Next time for sure...

On Tuesday we have the 300s fitness test so I'll be trying to hit my times in those as well!

A 'typical' day so far in pre-season has kinda gone like this...

- Breakfast 8pm

- Hockey 9am-11.15am.

- Ice Bath.

- EAT.

- Hockey 3pm-5.15pm.

- Ice Bath.

- EAT.

- SLEEP!!

Then there are extra things incorporated into the day such as video analysis, meetings or lifting in the gym.

(How not to ice bath...)

I'm having such a good time and everyone is so lovely! The team are great and so far I am loving the American uni life!!

The food is amazing! I get a cheeky little swipe card to get all my meals and there is so much choice and variation from sushi to steak, salad, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, pork, chicken oh I could go on...sweet potato fries...salmon...stir fry...Mmm Mmm Mmmmm.

(Just in case anyone wondered ^ BBQ Pork Steak, SO GOOD.)

Also, it is hilarious how some of the American girls react when I speak or say words they don't, such as 'full-stop', which they call 'period'. Or even a 'car-park'...parking lot. I have also figured they have no idea what a 'hen do' or 'stag do' is........their loss. Hahaaa. There are plenty more examples as well!

I do have a new America phone number now so don't text my old number. I'm using whatsapp to message you guys from home so message me on Facebook/twitter if its not working cause I'll need to alter your number to international :)

Yes, everything is super American out here. Literally how you see it in the movies haha...I'm even picking up some of their lingo ;)

I have been so unbelievably super busy that I'm pretty disorganised and have hardly had any contact with anyone from home! SORRY! Once I get settled into my dorm and the craziness has died down, I'll have it all under control and be back in contact with family and friends ha! But I'm fine and having a blast!

Well done to all you little clever beans from Casterton and Carlisle that got into Uni, I'm proud :) I'm chuffed the revision seemed to pay off for everyone and I'm also happy with my final results of ABB in English, Business and History of Art.

Ok, I'm genuinely about to fall asleep so I'm going to finish up...but I could literally write plenty of pages about everything so far, but I just wanted to touch base with anyone interested!

I'll be posting properly once I'm settled in my dorm and we've had our first game but in the mean time I might post some more pics!

Ciao,

Hannah x