What was your injury ?
Last year I suffered a navicular stress fracture while competing in the 2012 Banyoles World Cup in Spain. The navicular is a bone along the top of your foot and takes the longest amount of time to recover of any stress fracture. I was forced to have surgery on the bone and had two metal screws inserted and a bone graft to give the bone the support required to continue to compete. I was on crutches and moon boot for 3 months and didn’t begin running until 5 months post operation.
What did you feel when this injury happened and realised that this might be the end of your career ?
Once the injury was diagnosed I had to pack my bags and return home from Europe, after only contesting a single race. I had put every bit of time, money and energy I had to make this trip successful and to have it ripped away so quick was devastating. I wanted to quit the sport as it Triathlon is so demanding physically, mentally and financially and the thought of sitting out of competition for over 6 months was hard to swallow. The surgeon couldn’t even guarantee the op would work so that played a lot on my mind too. After a month or two sitting on the couch I began to realise how much I loved the sport and how badly I wanted to be back competing with my peers in international competition. The motivation came back quick and I’m so glad I had the support of family and friends to keep me positive and allow me to come back to the level I’m at now.
Did you have any doubts about coming back ?
Always had the doubts but I never put any pressure on myself and I think that was the key. I had a whole new out look on competing, just to turn up, do my best with what I had, and walk away with no regrets. I still have that attitude now and it feels so good to just give everything and not worry about your time or position across the line.
You have had remarkable return since winning 3 races in a row ! What have you changed since the injury?
Definitely the biggest thing is my out look or approach to racing. I feel so lucky to get to every race now and I don’t put any pressure on, just have fun and do the best I can do. Also I have backed my training right back. I used to try and squeeze in every session and always had niggles or injuries leading into races. I now know I was doing way too much training and since backing it right back I have raced the best I ever have. I think being healthy and injury free makes you more consistent and allows you to keep that regular training routine going. As my recent results have shown, consistency is the key.
In hindsight, do you think that the injury has been overall something that happened to change your direction?
Absolutely, it was a blessing in disguise and has taught me so much about my own body and how I needed to change things in order to move forward. It just sucks it took a massive injury to teach me that lesson!
What to from here?
Keep consistent and aim for the last few world cup events of the year. With Commonwealth games next year I will set myself for the early Australia Elite events and give the best I can to put my name in the mix for selection.
