FEW teenagers know what it is like to be out of bed at 6.30am, let alone plough the lanes of a swimming pool at that time.

But for dedicated sportswoman Natasha Johnston, early morning training is just one example of the commitment she hopes will take her all the way to the 2012 Olympics.

The 13-year-old from Nailsworth packs in seven or eight swimming sessions every week, including four before the start of school, and takes part in competitions on Saturdays.

It's a tough regime but Natasha's hard work is already paying off with success in the Western Counties sprint competition and recognition from Stroud Swimming Club in the form of the Coaches' Cup after she smashed four local records by a huge margin.

The Stroud High School pupil was six when she started attending training sessions.

"My older sister Katie was already at Stroud Swimming Club when I joined," she explained.

"They realised early on that I had quite a flair for swimming.

"I have two coaches - Andy Osborne (corr) and Caroline Robertson (corr). Andy has helped me from a very young age and supported me to get where I am now.

"I do about 4,000 metres every training session.

"There are some mornings when I don't want to get out of bed but I think if I don't get up it will just be a waste. I can force myself to get up.

"I know that if I train I am going to achieve and win medals.

"I suppose my goal, like everybody else's, is to go to the Olympics.

"My goal for this year is to get to the Western Counties Championships, as I did last year, and from there the nationals."

As well as regular training in the pool, Natasha hones her fitness with gym and yoga sessions.

A healthy diet also plays an important role: "Throughout the week I eat a lot of carbohydrates, while on the day of competitions I eat chocolate bars which are a complete energy boost."

Natasha's early morning training sessions mean she often has to be in bed by 8 or 9pm, but this does not stop her from enjoying an active social life.

"I have quite a few good friends really, along with my friends from swimming, and we do quite a lot of stuff together that a normal girl does, like shopping.

"But I don't think many of my friends realise what hard work it is to train at this level.

"They know I train in the mornings but they get a bit annoyed when I cannot do things because of swimming."

Natasha's advice to anybody thinking of swimming seriously is to try it and see how they get on.

"If you enjoy it then you can start doing more sessions.

"It's not all about being competitive. A lot of people come along to train for fitness. "It doesn't really matter what you do, as long as you enjoy it."

* Stroud Swimming Club has been running in its present form since 1974 but was originally started in the 1930s. It has 140 swimming members and is supported by a band of volunteers and two paid coaches.

The club is currently seeking sponsors. For more information about the club visit www.stroudswimmingclub.co.uk.

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