Christmas on a shore, injury woe and an Olympic medal 10 years late! It turned out to be a sports career for Nicola Sanders.
One of Britains finest 400m runners, who reluctantly retired after a series of injuries in October 2014, reveals just how becoming a Sky Scholar between 2013 and 2011 had been a boost during a challenging and painful phase in her entire life.
The mother of 2 opens on discovering peace since launching, together with Sanders among 11 pilot Scholars Since the Scholarships celebrate eight decades.
The Scholarship programme came at the perfect time for me personally.
Following a profession at the 2007 World Championship in which I won silver after which a European Indoor gold, I was hit by trauma in 2008 and 2009 and had not quite reached my frustration and frustration was setting in.
My coach Tony Lester approached Sky around supporting individuals and they not only agreed to support us in our journey 2012 but they chose to roll it out across several sport and also the Sky Scholarship programme has been born. I like to believe I had been the inspiration!
When I became a Scholar, my athletics was at a challenging location. I was fighting with my injury and I had to begin creating up my own body from the inside out to become more powerful .
Having the backing and view of Sky at one time in this way really boosted me and gave me the confidence and belief to continue and arrive.
One of the key things that the programme allowed me to do was get away for warm weather training more. Because my muscles didnt need to work so hard in the warmth, I suffered in my career with chronic injuries but my entire body.
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 that we all had to maximise this and go away in December, spend Christmas there and return as normal during late January.
It was tough to be off for Christmas, but it was also a simple decision knowing itd place me at the very best location for the subsequent season.
It was strange being somewhere so sexy for Christmas (up to 40 levels ) and I got somewhat sunburnt on Christmas Eve that was a brand new one for me! There werent lots of because of the warmth it did not feel like Christmas and decorations up but it went OK.
Christmas day was weird! I spent the day alone (apart from the cleaner that drifted in and left me a biscuit!) And boxsets for most of it Greys Anatomy and 24.
I then did a Skype phone house and my entire household were sat round the supper table and I had been passed from person to person. It made me feel sad, but on Boxing Day I was on the trail from the stunning South African sun. Athletes arrived and we spent New Year together.
When you know you are doing something that is very good for your athletics it does not feel like a sacrifice and I am grateful Sky gave me the opportunity to place myself in the best shape I can be.
Unfortunately 2012 didnt end up being a fantastic year. My injury continued and I had to withdraw from the European philosopher that was my final chance in the warm-up. So it was only the 4x400m relay event at the Olympics for me.
I had been in very good shape in London. I had a wonderful training camp and has been eager to be part of the relay group. I did not get picked for the team that was final and never got to run in that stadium that was wonderful.
Though it didnt work out just how I needed in London, I value Skys service and help on my journey. I understand as a group we gave it our very best shot – my body only let down me.
I had an awesome career to look back with some big highs. I even finally got my Olympic medal (from Beijing following two teams were disqualified for doping offenses ) 10 decades overdue, as a mum of 2, before a house audience from the London Olympic Stadium!
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