It's just a step to the right.......and then a step to the left. Put your hands on your hips.............
So I strapped up the leg again today and hit the pavement. I managed the 5.5kms, stopping to walk occasionally so that I can re-set the form and to keep the load down. After about 2kms the knee started a dull ache, but didn't turn into anything so I kept it to an easy jog. I have to say the run fitness has just disappeared folks. We have a long way to go, but forward, forever forward.
Tonight I decided to mix it up a little. Coach had me doing a strength set, so I headed down to the TRX studio and met Brendan and had an hour of body weight work with lots of core and strength work. I am amazed at how much the TRX exposes weaknesses (or areas to be developed) trying to keep it positive here.
At one point we had to do atomic push ups and I managed 10 and 12 reps. We later did a handstand push up and to begin with we started with one leg in the air and one on the ground. Brendan increased the difficulty by having me move my grounded foot further out. As I could do a push up still, he had me kick my grounded foot up into the air as well where he steadied me before I knocked out 6 handstand push ups. So happy. But surprised when we came to do a lunge with one foot in the TRX stirrup and while I got 20 on each side, my left side was totally unable to hold my balance and the right was only just a fraction better. Later a hamstring curl with feet in the stirrups saw me groaning and flagging after 8. Oh my. However, it was great to get a session in. Every muscle has been worked and core and strength session done.
AND I had company. Been a bit lonely of late. Having to work out on my own is kinda draining the motivation.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Mud Pies and Strapping.....
Last weekend saw my daughter, her partner (Jess) and The Gazman head north to where the mud run lives. It was bloody cold, and had been all week. Rain and wind had dominated the weather channel and I was sooooo bloody happy that I had opted not to play. Couple of reasons, concrete tunnels and pipes for one, but the main reason was I was worried about twisting an ankle or knee or something. I am progressing slowly with the rehab and a mud run right now would probably see Coach do the look I hate 'hmmmmm and rub the chin' at me. Not keen for that so the sensible me said no and oh was I pleased. As they wandered off to registration, I sat in the warmth of the car, as they stripped off, I stood under my brolly wearing thick gloves, scarf, beanie and jacket. And as they ran and hit the cold water, I tucked back into the warm car, rolled a bandana over my eyes and went back to sleep. Yeah, ok I missed out on a great fun bonding moment with the kid. But I think Kez and her dad had a ball and that was more fun for me to watch. I timed it roughly so I would be there at the end as they crossed over. Wow, they looked great, covered in mud and big smiles, puffing from all the hard work they had done. The last obstacle was a long rope which was strung up horizontal and they had to hang by hands and knees and shimmy across.
The Gazman jumped up first. Now having watched a lot of folk take on the hurdle, I wasn't sure how he would go. It looked hard. Some guys fell, some stopped halfway for a breather, others slowly inch by inch got across in some pretty interesting styles. I noted that mostly the younger teens guys and girls both, seemed the best at getting across. Perhaps power to weight ratio. Not sure. Well, Gazza through himself into it. I was snapping like crazy with the camera trying to keep up with him. Being X-army, I guess he had done this type of thing before. But he flew across. I was punching the air and felt like pointing and shouting 'that's my man!' Lol. Next was Jess, a little slower but she still moved across the rope easily and stopped hallway for a big cheesy grin before finishing. Last was Kez, I was so hoping she could do the obstacle. Well, she swung her legs up and muscled her way across the rope. Again, just like her dad she flew. I was so proud of them all. And as they stood there at the end proudly showing off their medals and covered from top to toe in mud, I couldn't have been more proud of them all. They were hilarious drinking their beer, even though I think it would have been freezing cold.
Couple of days later I had my own punching the air moment as I ran about 4kms with Gaz round the ponds. Nothing to shout about really. I had the knee strapped for Tib/fib, itb and patella....in other words the whole leg wasn't going anywhere! Pretty happy to be moving again, and probably didn't need the strapping except for the mental reassurance it gave me. Maybe I will keep it strapped for a while just for that reason. The strength exercises should be doing their thing too. The run fitness has completely gone though. But small steps in the right direction all the same. Wohhoooo.
The Gazman jumped up first. Now having watched a lot of folk take on the hurdle, I wasn't sure how he would go. It looked hard. Some guys fell, some stopped halfway for a breather, others slowly inch by inch got across in some pretty interesting styles. I noted that mostly the younger teens guys and girls both, seemed the best at getting across. Perhaps power to weight ratio. Not sure. Well, Gazza through himself into it. I was snapping like crazy with the camera trying to keep up with him. Being X-army, I guess he had done this type of thing before. But he flew across. I was punching the air and felt like pointing and shouting 'that's my man!' Lol. Next was Jess, a little slower but she still moved across the rope easily and stopped hallway for a big cheesy grin before finishing. Last was Kez, I was so hoping she could do the obstacle. Well, she swung her legs up and muscled her way across the rope. Again, just like her dad she flew. I was so proud of them all. And as they stood there at the end proudly showing off their medals and covered from top to toe in mud, I couldn't have been more proud of them all. They were hilarious drinking their beer, even though I think it would have been freezing cold.
 |
| The Gazman, Kez and Jess - their medals, mud and beer! |
Couple of days later I had my own punching the air moment as I ran about 4kms with Gaz round the ponds. Nothing to shout about really. I had the knee strapped for Tib/fib, itb and patella....in other words the whole leg wasn't going anywhere! Pretty happy to be moving again, and probably didn't need the strapping except for the mental reassurance it gave me. Maybe I will keep it strapped for a while just for that reason. The strength exercises should be doing their thing too. The run fitness has completely gone though. But small steps in the right direction all the same. Wohhoooo.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Damp and Dark: Welcome to Winter Solstice
Did I tell you that, in my world, the year doesn't run from 1 Jan to 31 December? And that seasons in my world consist of only two? Winter and Summer. I was born in October. October 7, 1965. So it seems to be, that October 7 is day 1 of my life and therefore, day 1 of my first year. So in Sammi's world and calendar I have lived 47.8years.
I married my man whose year started on April 7, 1965. He is exactly 6 months older than me. In Australia we see four seasons, the first day of Spring is September. But in Aus September is still bloody cold, dark and windy. Well, where I live anyway. No, Spring starts on my birthday, new life, new beginning, warmth and sunshine and me. April in Aus is cold. You need a jacket at night and the clocks have gone back an hour and the sun takes longer to clear the horizon and creep across the sea and it definitely goes to bed a whole heap earlier. Winter in Aus is 1st June. But in Sammi time, Winter starts on Gary's birthday, April 7 and that is when I go into hibernation.
Now, I always thought this was just me. But I have since learnt that my Dad thinks the same way about his birthday being his first day of the year. Perhaps once, as a little girl he might have told me this and I stored it away or maybe it just made good sense, or maybe it is just the way we both see the world. But either case, I am not alone in my thinking. I love Spring and coming alive. I hate Winter. I want to hunker down and hibernate, spin a cocoon about myself for warmth against the bitter winds and be a grub. In spring the cocoon is cast aside and like a butterfly I want to open my wings and soak up the sun. I could easily be a lizard on a rock, bathing in the sunshine for hours storing the heat. Segway - we should totally be able to do that by now. Why haven't we evolved to be able to store heat like a battery for use later during the dark, damp winter. pht. Damn evolution needs to catch up.
Anyway, right now I am sitting here in my cocoon, wrapped in a blanket, dressing gown, slippers and heater (and its not even snowing or anything. I really am a woos)
Winter Solstice according to the gurus was 2 days ago. But on my calendar, it may as well be 6 months of Winter Solstice, short, dark damp days and with that it seems, my mood has grown dark and glum. A bit woe's me, I am struggling to get up in the morning. JFDI I hear you say and yeah, I am. I just can't find some enthusiasm for it all.
I feel old today. But according to the Sammi calendar, I am halfway. Halfway through my life. My Grandmas funeral was yesterday. She was twice my age and as I was named after her and so much like her, I am told. I use her as my yard stick. Halfway. So not old. I have a lot of time to pack a heap in yet. Hmmm, dark and damp.
I need to find a way of surviving the Winter. There doesn't seem to be enough stored light in my battery to get me through. Some warm thoughts.......I got offered, and accepted the position where I have been working. Relief. Warm thought..........the house is really coming together now. I feel balanced and in order. Warm thought..........I have enjoyed painting, or rather prepping to paint, a picture to go above the lounge. It's been a long while since I have been motivated to paint something, other than walls that is.
Cold thought.........I still worry about my ITB and knee, I just don't know if it is going to sort it self out. Cold thought.............I am halfway! Cold thought................I seem to be isolating my self a little. Perhaps left over from no time to be social due to I.M training. Need to do something about that. Cold thought.................I have put the weight all back on again. Still in range but self sabotage once again takes its toll. Cold thought...............it's still 3+ months till next year and Spring time.
Warm thought................the challenge is to create my own fire that will get me through my winter. It's up to me.
I married my man whose year started on April 7, 1965. He is exactly 6 months older than me. In Australia we see four seasons, the first day of Spring is September. But in Aus September is still bloody cold, dark and windy. Well, where I live anyway. No, Spring starts on my birthday, new life, new beginning, warmth and sunshine and me. April in Aus is cold. You need a jacket at night and the clocks have gone back an hour and the sun takes longer to clear the horizon and creep across the sea and it definitely goes to bed a whole heap earlier. Winter in Aus is 1st June. But in Sammi time, Winter starts on Gary's birthday, April 7 and that is when I go into hibernation.
Now, I always thought this was just me. But I have since learnt that my Dad thinks the same way about his birthday being his first day of the year. Perhaps once, as a little girl he might have told me this and I stored it away or maybe it just made good sense, or maybe it is just the way we both see the world. But either case, I am not alone in my thinking. I love Spring and coming alive. I hate Winter. I want to hunker down and hibernate, spin a cocoon about myself for warmth against the bitter winds and be a grub. In spring the cocoon is cast aside and like a butterfly I want to open my wings and soak up the sun. I could easily be a lizard on a rock, bathing in the sunshine for hours storing the heat. Segway - we should totally be able to do that by now. Why haven't we evolved to be able to store heat like a battery for use later during the dark, damp winter. pht. Damn evolution needs to catch up.
Anyway, right now I am sitting here in my cocoon, wrapped in a blanket, dressing gown, slippers and heater (and its not even snowing or anything. I really am a woos)
Winter Solstice according to the gurus was 2 days ago. But on my calendar, it may as well be 6 months of Winter Solstice, short, dark damp days and with that it seems, my mood has grown dark and glum. A bit woe's me, I am struggling to get up in the morning. JFDI I hear you say and yeah, I am. I just can't find some enthusiasm for it all.
I feel old today. But according to the Sammi calendar, I am halfway. Halfway through my life. My Grandmas funeral was yesterday. She was twice my age and as I was named after her and so much like her, I am told. I use her as my yard stick. Halfway. So not old. I have a lot of time to pack a heap in yet. Hmmm, dark and damp.
I need to find a way of surviving the Winter. There doesn't seem to be enough stored light in my battery to get me through. Some warm thoughts.......I got offered, and accepted the position where I have been working. Relief. Warm thought..........the house is really coming together now. I feel balanced and in order. Warm thought..........I have enjoyed painting, or rather prepping to paint, a picture to go above the lounge. It's been a long while since I have been motivated to paint something, other than walls that is.
Cold thought.........I still worry about my ITB and knee, I just don't know if it is going to sort it self out. Cold thought.............I am halfway! Cold thought................I seem to be isolating my self a little. Perhaps left over from no time to be social due to I.M training. Need to do something about that. Cold thought.................I have put the weight all back on again. Still in range but self sabotage once again takes its toll. Cold thought...............it's still 3+ months till next year and Spring time.
Warm thought................the challenge is to create my own fire that will get me through my winter. It's up to me.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Goodbye to the girls.....
12.6.13 - SUCCESS! 59.9kgs. That's 900gms til I reach goal/race weight. Starting to notice signs of weight loss more now as we creep ever so slowly toward race weight. Number one of note....the girls have disappeared. Nuts! Always going to be a casualty of weight loss and I accept that but just an audible buh! In response to the shrinkage. Other areas worthy of note are my wrists. I can wrap my fingers round my wrist and touch my thumb and pinky together. News! And looking more ribby across the chest more than ever. I need to keep the chest strength work up so that I don't get old lady owl chest. Perhaps too late already, but swimming and running should hopefully keep some muscle tone on there. Still on the juice diet with adding extra food at night for dinner has seen the steady decrease in weight with out losing the energy so onward and upward...I mean downward. 59 even, here I come!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Update from the blackline.....
Well, the black line, the finish one that is, has moved itself wayyyyyyyyyyyy way away. With new goals to get faster, fitter and stronger in the game plan prior to next seasons races, compounded with yet another 'injury' though Coach doesn't think it is major and I agree, the black line and the goal of reaching said black line has a lot of sweat and hard work in front of it.
So, first order of the day is to rest post Ironman. And yep 4 weeks is plenty. I have been ticking along the program swimming, walking, and bike on both wind trainer and one outing for an easy 40kms with the girls. More about catching up, as I hadn't seen anyone since Ironman, than focusing on a particular aspect of the session.
I have also been doing a lot of strength, stretch, yoga/stretch therapy regularly to start working on that strength aspect. Last night I headed down to meet a girlfriend (no show) at a local TRX gym who was offering free night classes to members of the triathlon club I go to. I rolled in with a little apprehension. Not sure what I was in for as far as doing a class on TRX. I have a set at home and Coach has given me exercises to do on them that are run/swim specific, but that's about it. oh and I have done some you-tubing to watch video clips on it. I have to say it was great. The guy who ran the class was pretty amazing and has done loads of study and training on TRX. Sitting here now I can feel the shoulders and abs are tired from the load. It's all body weight so I enjoy that aspect of the training too. It felt very much like the old rock climbing days when we used a lot of balance, body weight etc in our training. I'd like to do more.
Interestingly the other day at stretch/yoga class I did a bridge, raised my butt and then could alternate taking one leg at a time off the ground. When raising my butt in the air with left leg straight, no dramas. but with right leg out straight using left leg to drive my butt up was a total workout and I had to focus hard on getting my a$$ off the ground. Last night with 1 leg in the TRX band and the other working as a ghost leg was a huge eye opener. Again left leg straight, right leg in TRX band driving up through the right leg to butt up bridge, ok. But it was impossible for me to drive off the ground on my left side. Effectively my left glute. glute medias has gone fast to sleep. What this means is that my right side of my body is doing all of the hard work. that will show in pretty much all aspects of my training. Riding up hills on the bike will mean my right side is working harder than my left. Running will mean pushing and driving more through my right side and ummmm guess which side has the ITB issue...yep, the one doing all of the work. What I took away from yesterday's short session at the TRX gym, was I have a lot of work to do team.
Coincidently Coach rings me and says we are on for tomorrow night at his joint for a strength and core session. He wants to extend on what I am already doing over winter to help with the very issues that I am discovering with a lot of clarity. Yep, we have work to do team!
So, first order of the day is to rest post Ironman. And yep 4 weeks is plenty. I have been ticking along the program swimming, walking, and bike on both wind trainer and one outing for an easy 40kms with the girls. More about catching up, as I hadn't seen anyone since Ironman, than focusing on a particular aspect of the session.
I have also been doing a lot of strength, stretch, yoga/stretch therapy regularly to start working on that strength aspect. Last night I headed down to meet a girlfriend (no show) at a local TRX gym who was offering free night classes to members of the triathlon club I go to. I rolled in with a little apprehension. Not sure what I was in for as far as doing a class on TRX. I have a set at home and Coach has given me exercises to do on them that are run/swim specific, but that's about it. oh and I have done some you-tubing to watch video clips on it. I have to say it was great. The guy who ran the class was pretty amazing and has done loads of study and training on TRX. Sitting here now I can feel the shoulders and abs are tired from the load. It's all body weight so I enjoy that aspect of the training too. It felt very much like the old rock climbing days when we used a lot of balance, body weight etc in our training. I'd like to do more.
Interestingly the other day at stretch/yoga class I did a bridge, raised my butt and then could alternate taking one leg at a time off the ground. When raising my butt in the air with left leg straight, no dramas. but with right leg out straight using left leg to drive my butt up was a total workout and I had to focus hard on getting my a$$ off the ground. Last night with 1 leg in the TRX band and the other working as a ghost leg was a huge eye opener. Again left leg straight, right leg in TRX band driving up through the right leg to butt up bridge, ok. But it was impossible for me to drive off the ground on my left side. Effectively my left glute. glute medias has gone fast to sleep. What this means is that my right side of my body is doing all of the hard work. that will show in pretty much all aspects of my training. Riding up hills on the bike will mean my right side is working harder than my left. Running will mean pushing and driving more through my right side and ummmm guess which side has the ITB issue...yep, the one doing all of the work. What I took away from yesterday's short session at the TRX gym, was I have a lot of work to do team.
Coincidently Coach rings me and says we are on for tomorrow night at his joint for a strength and core session. He wants to extend on what I am already doing over winter to help with the very issues that I am discovering with a lot of clarity. Yep, we have work to do team!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Time to Start Again
ok, so Ironman is over. It's time to reconnoitre, check my goals and refocus. I spent the morning evaluating last years goals (see goals page) and hmmm, while many goals were terrible failures, others I achieved and I am very pleased. Perhaps I was a tad too ambitious. So this year I have kept them very simple. One for each discipline, and a few extras to keep me focused in the right direction.
I simply can't move forward until I can run again. So focus is on run and what I need to do to get there again. I'll keep you posted.
2013 Goals
- Follow Coach's plan with honesty and consistency
- Reach my Olympic race weight (59kgs)
- Learn to run again
- Work on swim technique and form
- Work on strength and raise avg riding pace
- Stretch and do my core/strength exercises religiously
I simply can't move forward until I can run again. So focus is on run and what I need to do to get there again. I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Sammi Vs The Gorilla
A few weeks before Ironman I was having physio on my itb and while I was there Coach asked about how the mental prep was going, did I have any questions about nutrition etc and how was life in general. I knew that the balance at home with Gazza was slightly off kilter. Long hours training and being apart, tiredness and both focusing on our impending race had left the marriage, not in trouble but rather, on hold. But we agreed that 20 years of marriage could hold us for just a little longer. Coach asked me how I was feeling about Ironman. I was ready, I said I felt 'Ironman is like fighting a Gorilla. You don't stop fighting when you get tired, you stop when the Gorilla cries Uncle!' He laughed and said 'good analogy Sammi.'
Two days before I was to step into the ring with my Gorilla, the Crew met with Coach for some last minute thoughts and motivation. Coach talked about the obstacles we might face on the day; tiredness, walls, the highs and lows. He gave us strategies for coping with each. With years of racing experience under his belt, his words were gold.
The big day unfolded and as the heavy weights stepped into the water I found myself swept along feeling comfortable and at ease. The usual punch and shove in the water, all a normal part of training and had been well rehearsed. I was happy with my swim and as I gathered my bike bag I ticked round one off in my head. Ok, two to go.
Away on the bike with my family and the crowds cheering us on and a blast from the megaphone as Coach shouted our names and words of encouragement. I found the hills easy as we travelled out of town and along the straight. I was turning the legs over comfortably when I came upon a familiar shape. Here was Gazza on the side of the road with a shredded tyre. I pulled up and saw that we was ok, smiling and waiting for the bike mechanics. He assured me he was ok. Coaches words ringing in my head. 'You need to run your own race.' There was nothing I could do to help, so I kept going.
On the second lap with 165+kms done I started to feel the legs were tiring. Hills were taking there toll and I found my head was starting to fill with negative thoughts. I'm tired, this hill is so big, it hurts. Again Coach's words came to the fore as he said this would happen. Replace the negative talk with positive and back the pace off for a short time you will come good again, check your nutrition, be your own best supporter. I got in some calories, took the pressure off my legs and focused on how far I had come so easily and how I still had loads of bikes around me. I told myself that I was proud of how far I had come already. Pretty soon the power was back in the legs and I put the final kms behind me. Round Two Done.
Round Three was always going to be tricky for me. With a pesky itb that had plagued me over the past few races, the running had been kept to a minimum. I saw Coach as I headed out. A quick high 5 and a reminder from him of our strategy to walk/run the marathon.
At 4kms into the run an all to familiar pain started to creep its way in. The itb was giving off warning shots that it wasn't happy and a nice big blister was forming on the bottom of my foot. It was at this point that I found myself with my back against the ropes and the Gorilla was landing some pretty nasty body blows.
I could feel I was falling hard and just as I was about to hit the canvas, a familiar footfall came up behind me. It was Gazza, He had caught up to me finally after pushing hard after a 45min wait for a new wheel. One look at my face told him everything and he hugged me. We walked on to an aid station. As we walked I tried hard to pull it back together. I told Gaz to keep going, that I would be ok. I was going to the toilet and I would get going again. He said ok. I entered the loo, sat down and sobbed. I have never cried during training or racing before. It was totally out of character but a sign that I had hit the wall hard. The Gorilla was winning!
Once again, Coach's words came ringing in my ears. 'When you hit the wall, find your motivation.' Images of my Grandma came to me, we don't have long with her and I wanted to honour her. I looked at my arm where my Dad's words are tattooed there, 'This Too Shall Pass', and I knew that it would, my mum with her words of 'put the pain in a box Sammi, put a lid down on it hard' and my daughter Keryn who I have always tried to instil in her strength, resilience and belief in herself. Ok, I had my motivation. And then an image came to me of Coach. He was out on the course dressed up, on his painted dragster bike with outrageous helmet and goggles with the megaphone at the ready, he was hilarious. I had found my happy thought and in that loo in only a couple of minutes I had gone from tears to laughing out loud. I was ready to go again. I opened the door and there stood Gazza, waiting patiently. He had lollies, coke and Gatorade ready to go. He had given up his race to run with me. I loved him more in that moment than I can ever describe. Ok, 'Let's kick its big hairy butt Sammi.'
We fell into step, me in front, Gazza behind and together we ran/walked the course. The pain never left, but the experience of running with Gary reunified us, of seeing my family and friends, the AP.10 Crew and hearing my name and words of encouragement from the crowd lifted me.
We entered the finishing chute and found my family and hugged them. I turned and there was Coach larger than life. I hugged and thanked him for all he had done for me. I turned to Gary and together we ran the final few steps hand in hand to the cheers of the crowd.
As I crossed the black line I smiled to myself - and behind me from way off in the distance I heard the cry.......UNCLE!
Two days before I was to step into the ring with my Gorilla, the Crew met with Coach for some last minute thoughts and motivation. Coach talked about the obstacles we might face on the day; tiredness, walls, the highs and lows. He gave us strategies for coping with each. With years of racing experience under his belt, his words were gold.
The big day unfolded and as the heavy weights stepped into the water I found myself swept along feeling comfortable and at ease. The usual punch and shove in the water, all a normal part of training and had been well rehearsed. I was happy with my swim and as I gathered my bike bag I ticked round one off in my head. Ok, two to go.
Away on the bike with my family and the crowds cheering us on and a blast from the megaphone as Coach shouted our names and words of encouragement. I found the hills easy as we travelled out of town and along the straight. I was turning the legs over comfortably when I came upon a familiar shape. Here was Gazza on the side of the road with a shredded tyre. I pulled up and saw that we was ok, smiling and waiting for the bike mechanics. He assured me he was ok. Coaches words ringing in my head. 'You need to run your own race.' There was nothing I could do to help, so I kept going.
On the second lap with 165+kms done I started to feel the legs were tiring. Hills were taking there toll and I found my head was starting to fill with negative thoughts. I'm tired, this hill is so big, it hurts. Again Coach's words came to the fore as he said this would happen. Replace the negative talk with positive and back the pace off for a short time you will come good again, check your nutrition, be your own best supporter. I got in some calories, took the pressure off my legs and focused on how far I had come so easily and how I still had loads of bikes around me. I told myself that I was proud of how far I had come already. Pretty soon the power was back in the legs and I put the final kms behind me. Round Two Done.
Round Three was always going to be tricky for me. With a pesky itb that had plagued me over the past few races, the running had been kept to a minimum. I saw Coach as I headed out. A quick high 5 and a reminder from him of our strategy to walk/run the marathon.
At 4kms into the run an all to familiar pain started to creep its way in. The itb was giving off warning shots that it wasn't happy and a nice big blister was forming on the bottom of my foot. It was at this point that I found myself with my back against the ropes and the Gorilla was landing some pretty nasty body blows.
I could feel I was falling hard and just as I was about to hit the canvas, a familiar footfall came up behind me. It was Gazza, He had caught up to me finally after pushing hard after a 45min wait for a new wheel. One look at my face told him everything and he hugged me. We walked on to an aid station. As we walked I tried hard to pull it back together. I told Gaz to keep going, that I would be ok. I was going to the toilet and I would get going again. He said ok. I entered the loo, sat down and sobbed. I have never cried during training or racing before. It was totally out of character but a sign that I had hit the wall hard. The Gorilla was winning!
Once again, Coach's words came ringing in my ears. 'When you hit the wall, find your motivation.' Images of my Grandma came to me, we don't have long with her and I wanted to honour her. I looked at my arm where my Dad's words are tattooed there, 'This Too Shall Pass', and I knew that it would, my mum with her words of 'put the pain in a box Sammi, put a lid down on it hard' and my daughter Keryn who I have always tried to instil in her strength, resilience and belief in herself. Ok, I had my motivation. And then an image came to me of Coach. He was out on the course dressed up, on his painted dragster bike with outrageous helmet and goggles with the megaphone at the ready, he was hilarious. I had found my happy thought and in that loo in only a couple of minutes I had gone from tears to laughing out loud. I was ready to go again. I opened the door and there stood Gazza, waiting patiently. He had lollies, coke and Gatorade ready to go. He had given up his race to run with me. I loved him more in that moment than I can ever describe. Ok, 'Let's kick its big hairy butt Sammi.'
We fell into step, me in front, Gazza behind and together we ran/walked the course. The pain never left, but the experience of running with Gary reunified us, of seeing my family and friends, the AP.10 Crew and hearing my name and words of encouragement from the crowd lifted me.
We entered the finishing chute and found my family and hugged them. I turned and there was Coach larger than life. I hugged and thanked him for all he had done for me. I turned to Gary and together we ran the final few steps hand in hand to the cheers of the crowd.
As I crossed the black line I smiled to myself - and behind me from way off in the distance I heard the cry.......UNCLE!
 |
| My hero and me |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)