FIRST RACE BACK AFTER INJURY.

So I’m back sitting on the start line of my first race –I feel so happy and excited – but I feel a little off. As much as you try to train like you race, there’s just that added buzz distraction and pressure on race day.It’s been 10 months since my last race…Don’t get me wrong, I love to race but there is a lot more mentally to deal with on race day. The spectators, commentators -and the result. But it is your choice how you interpret and deal with these factors that will allow you to perform at your best.

[The race was run as a championship format, where new rules were instigated this year. In the simplest terms: the top 16 from run 1 of qualification are straight through to semis, the rest battle it out in run 2, where the top 4 finishers join the first 16 in the semis. In the semis you get 1 run to finish in the top 10 to progress to the final, where again you only get one run to compete for the top spots. This race was particularly challenging as there wildcards available to qualify to race at Olympic and senior selection this coming October, where the top 4 are eligible in each category, if percentage is made on all 3/4 runs.]

Let’s just say my first run did not go to plan… I was just one step behind the whole run. I was a little upset but I was glad to get back to racing and now I had raced, I felt like I could put the first run behind me and get into the zone for second runs!!!

So I went back to the basics, back to the plan and back to why I race – it’s what I love doing!Second time around, warm up done and ready to go for my one run wonder to put me into the semis….

I finished second! What a relief that was. But it was off the water; cool down, food, chill and onto the semis. When most people would be sitting down to dinner at 18:20 I was sitting on the start line for the third time. A new course, a new plan, I was ready! I was back in race mode. I felt the adrenaline, knowing it was a good thing, and put down my best run of the weekend. After the semi-finals I was sitting second with a 102(s), after Hannah Bailey putting in a smooth 99(s) run. So after a long day, it was stretch and bed to recover for the final.

All I can say it was not a spectacularly fast women’s final but still competitive with the top 4 ranging from a 104-105 with a few penalties in these totals (but not effecting the results). The winning time was a 105(s) clear, a solid run, but not beating the 99 that was put down Saturday evening. My run was 2 seconds slower than my semis run (105), with a few too many touches on top. As much as I tried to put a smooth run together, it felt like I was grinding it out, just a bit fatigued and tight from the previous race day. The positive thing is I kept fighting for my lines, and next time I’ll be fitter and stronger.

Over all I am so happy to put times on the board in my first race back AND within percentage, where I finished 4th in the final (1st U23 K1W) and QAULIFY FOR A WILDCARD!!!!!!!!!! Above all, my highlight of the weekend was sharing it with my parents. It felt like everything was back to normal: mum judging, dad chatting competitively and me making the car smell of canoe kit! They were so supportive and just so positive to be around. After my first run mishap, I was, as I said, upset but mum run all the way down cheering me on and came to the finish line with a massive beaming smile…even though I had missed 3 gates (that means 150 seconds in penalties, bearing in mind the runs are about 105 seconds long). It didn’t take me long to switch my emotions around.

Therefore I’d like to explain this: Sport is very much based on outcome….most people think the result is the outcome, but it is very much dependant on the athlete’s values. Yes…results get you noticed, get you on the team and help you fund your career, but behind it all you need to do what makes you happy. If you strive to be your best, this will give you the best chance of a position in the final. You have to focus on progress not perfection, to be that well rounded, happy and determined athlete.

I put my values down on a piece of paper 3 years ago, and they haven’t changed. My psychologist gave me plenty of opportunities to say winning was one of them, but it never crossed my mind. Why base your happiness on something that is not in your control. I try my best every day and pursue personal excellence on a daily basis within the British Canoeing program, and this makes me happy. I actually love it. The more you do, the more you are rewarded on and off the water, and in return your happiness just keeps excelling.

Admittedly after senior and U23 selection, I had some ups and downs trying to push past my injury. It was emotional to say the least- deciphering between good and bad pain, what we could push and not push. There were many tears of frustration, but it helped me to get where I am today. My relationship with my coach is stronger than ever and we know how to get the most out of every session, for that optimum mental and physical performance, weather we take the volume down or take the focus onto different movement patterns. My confidence within my paddling is growing each day, and ache in my rib is easing week by week allowing me to progress in my training load.

In the coming months the main aim is about getting some good solid training in (now that I can!). I’ve decided to stay in the UK this summer as I will have support (physio, coach and psychologist) every week, where I believe this will make the most of training and keep me ticking over, reducing the risk of missing sessions. I have my next race on the 18th July and the next again in September. Alongside training hard, I have planned a week of downtime up the west coast of Scotland to spend with the family sea kayaking, hill walking, cycling and fishing with dad (hopefully we’ll catch some mackerel to smoke!). As well as being a full time athlete I am have started to coach on a weekly basis with British Canoeing and the local club where I am aiming to start my coaching qualifications in august. I’m also spending a week in Poland coaching athlete’s two bands below me, as well as getting some training in. I love coaching the up and coming talent and passing on information I’ve learnt over the years.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my recent endeavours.