Please read my story I hope this inspires you: I conquered the world Triathlon champs after a few disappointments in 2010 My year 2010 started of with a bang winning the Friendly City marathon in January and putting in a good show at the South African Triathlon champs in Germiston. One evening while out running down Milner street during a training run I sadly stood on a stone fell and suffered a hairline fracture to my ankle. All happening a week before the SA Duathlon champs. I was angry,devastated and really upset with what had happened and to make things even worse I got retrenched from my job in between all the happenings. I was on crutches for six weeks and remained positive throughout this very frustrating period. Two weeks before coming out of my cast I got team announcement to represent my country at the world Triathlon champs in Budapest Hungary. The inevitable decision followed. Earlier in the year I was retrenched from my job and would have to raise R27 0000 to enable me to travel. Also the the question arose in my head if I will be able to get fit enough in time to compete,but I was determined. My Hubby and myself discussed the situation and said to ourselves why not if not! My injury healed nicely and I had exactly 8 weeks to get fit raise R27 000.The first two weeks of rehab was very intense and I had physio 2hours a day for two weeks,rehab was very painful and teaching myself to walk again and getting my muscles strength back fought a lot of courage and patients. My first swimming session started the day after I came out of my cast and my hubby Steve still took me to the pool on my crutches I Managed to swim 750m,only being able to kick with one leg. My first few cycling sessions was done one my indoor trainer until I was more capable of using my legs on my TT bike. Every baby step I took got me closer to my ultimate goal the world Triathlon champs. In between I was still trying to rise my appropriate amount of funding,by baking muffins selling bacon and egg rolls,selling raffle tickets and organising a fun run. I also had over 50 sponsors donating towards my trip. The Grahamstown community came together to send their athlete overseas. Training was still going in full steam swimming,and cycling but still no running,I only started running four weeks before leaving for worlds,My first run was 1,6km which took me over 25minutes to complete absolutely teaching myself to run again after 12 weeks of no running and getting my running style back. I can say with pride that one week before leaving for worlds I did a 4km time trial in 16,24. After 8 weeks of blood sweat and tears I was able to compete after so many people told me I would never make it. I raced in the 30-34 age group against 68 entrants. In the swim and even the cycle I was heating up the pace in both disciplines. Then I hit the run not being my strongest at that time I still managed to over take a few on the run. By the time I finished the run I was buggered but very humble and ecstatic setting a new PB with over 13 minutes. Though the will power of my mind and the Grace of God I could say all things are possible! Terri-Lynn Penney
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 17:48:42 +0000
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