Helen Carrington is an excellent example of how there is a sport, exercise or leisure activity for everyone if they seek it out because at the age of 44 she was a self-confessed ‘couch potato’ who had never been involved in any of these activities - but since October 2020 she undertook a challenge to start jogging for charity.
 
Her father William John, who is well known in the Haverfordwest area for his excellent sporting action photographs, was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and she decided that a positive step to supporting Dad was to run every day during the month to raise much-needed funds for the charity.

 

 
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On my first time out I managed two kilometres, which was testing to say the least,” admitted Helen, “but I battled on and was soon managing 10K - and by the end of the month I had covered a total of 60 miles.
 
“I was delighted to have great help from family and friends in raising money, especially my husband John, who has been my No1 supporter since I set out running - but the other positive spin off was the fact that I kept on running and by Christmas I lost 26kgs in weight.”
 
And the further good news is that dad is doing very well and still takes plenty of photographs for us at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk to use, especially if Helen’s son Tom Carrington is playing as a regular member of Haverfordwest RFC first XV or her daughter Emily is playing flanker for the club’s ladies’ team.



 

Foot pain cause problems but power-lifting helped solve it

 
But a problem arose in the New Year because Helen started to develop plantar fasciitis whenever she ran and so she had to decide what came next in terms of seeking something else to do that wouldn’t cause her so much pain in her feet.
 
And that is where power lifting came in because Lewis Davies had put a notice up on Face Book about the facilities available at the SAW Gym, then stationed on The Riverside in Haverfordwest, where he worked as an academy coach alongside Chloe Hood.
 
Helen knew Lewis from the time that he and Tom played for the county youth in rugby and on impulse she contacted him about strength and conditioning, and a meeting was arranged at the SAW Gym.
 
“I was a bit apprehensive but had such a warm welcome from the moment I walked through the door,” Helen told us, “and I was hooked from the time I walked out as I knew the strength and conditioning programmes on offer would help my mobility and give me an outlet for keeping active.
 

Surprise good news – and a new sporting direction

 
Her hard work paid off because by December 2021 she took part in a ‘Strength Week’ at the gym and after completing the tasks she was very surprised, but pleased, about how naturally strong she was and was encouraged to give power lifting a try.
 
“I soon found out the three techniques of Back Squat, Deadlift and Bench Press but to be honest I didn’t find them easy to start, but I had great support from Chloe and Lewis.”
 
It was just the incentive she needed and after Chloe had taken her under her wing and designed a training programme to carry on at the gym if she wanted to continue with power lifting, Helen took part in an in-house competition and really enjoyed the experience.
 
“I was nervous standing on the platform, in front of my fellow lifters and supporters, but everyone was really encouraging - and I was so pleased that when I got home I Googled ‘Power Lifting Competitions’ and discovered one that was coming up in Weston Super Mare - and on impulse I entered.
 

Impulse entry pays dividends

 
“When I told Chloe I think she almost collapsed in shock but she provided me with a programme that helped with my technique, especially with regard to the Back Squat, which was my weakest of the three sections in the competition.
 
“I went down to Weston with John, who is very busy with our haulage company, AJ Carrington & Sons Ltd, but he gave me 100% support, as usual - and I had a ball because everyone was super-friendly and I am still in touch with lots of them as friends now.
 
“I didn’t gain a medal but I was thrilled that I manage to achieve a personal best in the Back Squat (90kgs), Bench (55kgs) and Dead Lift (130kgs) so I couldn’t have done much better and I was the first power-lifter from SAW to go off on their travels like that.”
 

Welsh Championships debut – and more PBs

 
In September 2022 she was joined by young male power lifters from the gym to enter the Welsh Championships, held at the PB Performance Gym, down at The Bay, in Cardiff.

“It was great to have the company of Lewis Davies, Jay Rogers, Drew Cunningham and Ieuan Hood and we made sure that we all gave each other every encouragement.”
 
Helen impressed with her performances in the Back Squat (100kgs), Bench Press (60kgs) and Dead Lift (142.5) that raised her combined total by 27kgs!

“I came seventh overall amongst the ladies competing, most of them far younger than me, but in my category, since age and weight are taken into consideration I came first, but I was the only one of that age involved, “said Helen with a typical chuckle!
 

Welsh selection for Home International Championships

 
But she must have impressed because it wasn’t long before she received an invitation to represent Wales in the Home Nations Championships against the best power lifters from England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
 
“It was held at the PB Performance Gym in Cardiff Bay and I had wonderful support from my family, friends and people from the SAW Gym like Chloe and Lewis, who was also representing Wales for the first time.
 
 “It was an amazing experience in front of such a large crowd and I was proud to wear my Welsh shirt, which was awarded to me before the competition took place. Wales came second overall and on a personal note I was thrilled that I achieved personal bests again in all three disciplines and added another 22.5kgs to my overall total!”
 
Her performance also qualified Helen to compete in the British Masters in June 2023 and it will give her a chance to compete against other ladies of her weight and age category and she is hoping that it will take place in Northern Ireland, which would be another new experience for her.
 
“I would definitely like to travel a lot more to competitions all around the world, if possible, and I know how much hard work that will be but at the moment I am up for the challenge.
 

And finally . . .

 
Ask Helen about advice to others about taking part and she would be very quick to give power lifting a huge thumbs-up.

“I can only say from my experience that it not only just a matter of sweating and grunting but depends so much on technique, but there is also another side that includes great camaraderie and help with mental health because you don’t have to compete but just make regular visits to the gym and get that feeling of well-being that comes with it.
 
“The SAW Gym typifies those aspects but it is also recognised for ladies as a great help in dealing with the menopause, which I can vouch for.”
 
There is no doubt that Helen Carrington is a great advertisement and advocate for power lifting and we could see how genuinely enthusiastic she is - and we wish her continued success but also that feeling of fulfilment that has led to her own well-being!