A story of the past two weeks.. from AIS, Canberra, Australia
This European cycling season has been a roller coaster ride of trials and tribulations.
I raced into the best results of my short career, 5 top ten finishes and 13th in a WC, and was named in the long list for the Aussie team to compete at the world championships. I am extremely proud and honour where I’ve progressed from, but indeed hungry for more.
In the midst of a swag of solid performances, world cup rides, regular national team starts I have had a little share of adversity.
Just two weeks ago, during a pre worlds Altitude training camp at Passo Stelvio, Italy, I sustained a high speed crash caused by a front wheel puncture at 65kph.. resulting in a broken mandible (lower jaw), head contusions and facial lacerations.
Hitting the deck from that speed is never going to end pretty, withstanding unfortunate circumstances, accepting that some things cannot be reasoned, I have put it into perspective. I am one lucky girl… to be talking, walking, hearing and seeing are the important things that I can feel thankful for.
I was immediately transferred to Innsbruck, Austria in the middle of the Alps to a hospital with world class maxillo-facial orthopedic care. I was operated on that night to fix the fracture with plates and screws.
The funny thing about adversity is that you cannot predict it, nor control it and you often cannot explain it, you can only learn and build from how you deal with it. Shortly after looking in the mirror for the first time I was gutted and questioned a lot of things – justice, luck, ruthlessness and quite naturally the brutal laws of physics!
The path that I have taken in getting to this level in cycling and thirst for more was thrown into the forefront of my mind and I quickly rearranged my thoughts positively and by day 5 post op was doing stair reps of the Innsbruck hospital, admiring the 1976 Olympic Ski Jump at each level I ascended!
The care, support and communication from the AIS / Aussie National Team staff, especially our physio Beth Duryea and assistant coach Dave McPartland, in the initial stages was unbelievable throughout a tough ordeal, everyone stayed so relaxed, supportive and positive which was a brilliant support.
There was always positives; a bunch of sunflowers from my teammates back in Livigno made one day, a visit from on old friend in town made another and the positives kept on coming until I walked out of that hospital able to pull off a smile on my only partially swollen face!
A week later (after countless doses of IV antibiotics, ice pack applications, plates of soft unrecognisable food) I was released from hospital and the rehab plan had started forming.. after a meeting with the national coach Martin Barras and head physiologist Dave Martin back in Italy, I was on a plane back to AUS.
I am now at the AIS in Canberra to indulge in the care of an extremely well orchestrated care team. Rehab is going full gas here, no stone left unturned with physiology, medical, physio, nutrition, sports psychology, biomechanics and strength & conditioning all in full support – the opportunity to use this world class resource is an affirmation in itself and I am extremely grateful to AIS and Cycling Australia to be here.
I was astounded and completely flattered by the kind thoughts i received from everyone back home. I was to thank each and every person who sent messages of positivity, affirmation, support and care.
The accident cannot be justified but a comeback can.
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http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/australian-worlds-team-named
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