Christmas on a beach, injury woe along with an Olympic medal ! It was a lively athletics profession for Nicola Sanders.
Among Britains finest runners, who reluctantly retired after a succession of injuries, shows just how becoming a Sky Scholar between 2013 and 2011 turned into a increase during a challenging and painful phase in her life.
The mum of two opens up on discovering peace as the Scholarships celebrate since launching, together with Sanders among 11 pilot Scholars.
The Scholarship programme came at the right time for me personally.
After a profession at the 2007 World Championship at which I won silver after which a European Indoor gold, I was hit by trauma at 2008 and 2009 and had not quite reached my prospective and frustration was setting in.
My coach Tony Lester approached Sky about encouraging us and they not only agreed to encourage us in our trip 2012 but they chose to roll it out over several sport and also the Sky Scholarship programme was created. I love to believe I had been the inspiration!
When I became a Scholar, my athletics was in a challenging location. I struggled with my injury and I had to start building my entire own body up out to become stronger.
With the backing and belief of Sky at one time like this really fostered me and gave me the confidence and perception to carry on and arrive.
One of the primary things that the programme allowed me to do was eliminate for hot weather training more. I endured with several chronic injuries in my career but my body as my muscles did not have to work so hard from the heat.
Our training group usually went to South Africa for most of January to escape the British winter in the lead-up to 2012, Tony and I decided we needed to increase this and move away in December, spend Christmas up there and come back as usual in late January.
It was hard to be away for Christmas, however, it was also an easy decision knowing itd put me in the very ideal location for the next season.
It was odd being someplace so sexy for Christmas (around 40 degrees) and now I got slightly sunburnt on Christmas Eve which was a new one for me! It went OK although there were not many decorations up and because of the warmth it didnt feel like Christmas.
Christmas day was weird! I spent the afternoon alone (besides the cleaner who popped in and left me a biscuit!) And boxsets for most of it Greys Anatomy and 24.
Then I did a Skype call house and my entire household were all sat round the dinner table and I was passed from person to person. It made me feel miserable, but on the trail from the stunning South African sunshine I was on Boxing Day. More athletes arrived and we all spent New Year with all the beach which was wonderful.
Once you know that youre doing something that is terrific for your sports it doesnt feel like a sacrifice and I am grateful Sky gave me the opportunity to place myself in the best shape I will be.
Unfortunately 2012 did not end up being a fantastic year. My back injury lasted and I had to withdraw in the warm-up from the European bible that was my final opportunity to qualify for the 400m in the London Games. Therefore it was just the relay event at the Olympics for me personally.
I was in very great shape in London. I had a fantastic training camp and was excited to participate in the group. I did not get picked for the group that was last and so never got to operate in that awesome stadium.
Though it did not work out just how I needed in London, I appreciate Skys service and aid on my journey. I understand as a team we gave it our very best shot my body just let me down.
I had an wonderful career to look back with a few big highs. I even finally got my own Olympic medal (from Beijing after two groups have been disqualified for doping violations) 10 years late, as a mother of 2, in front of a house audience from the London Olympic Stadium!
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