Tuesday 31 July 2012

RUNNING!!!

This week has been by far the most exciting in the recovery of my foot. I am finally back running again after 10 weeks out of action. I am taking it extremely slowing though, and am doing a run/walk routine on a hockey field to help develop the connections I need to run fast when I can get back into full run training. The Astroturf on the hockey field is soft and even, ensuring I don't put any extra stress on the foot. I get some very strange looks from the hockey players though, running along beside them. Check out the video of my very first run back. Almost forgot how to do it! 


I am now back into complete bike training as well and have been climbing to new heights, literally. In the past 4 weeks I have now completed over 20 Mount Gravatt hill climbs, Mt Coot-tha climbs and even scaled Mt Mee. I have also done a number of speed work sessions and am riding faster than ever before!

I am really looking forward to the Australian Junior Fitness and Medical Examination Camp this weekend. It will be the final selection opportunity for the Australian junior team and will be the perfect chance for me to show off the hard work I have put into my swim and bike. 

That's it for now, stay tuned for updates on my running progress. 

Ellie xx

Monday 16 July 2012

Exciting is an Understatement


These past couple of weeks have been both exciting and hectic. The rehabilitation for my foot is going better than I ever could have imagined and is running ahead of schedule. More on that in a bit.

Firstly, everybody is returning home to Australia. You may be asking ‘what is that supposed to mean, Ellie?’ but over the past month, a lot of important people in my life have been gallivanting to overseas locations. Firstly, my dad and brother returned from a holiday in Hawaii. And Drew Viles returned from a family holiday in Bali. It was great to hear their stories, see their photos and have them back home. I have also got my training partner back from Isreal. Ron Darmon returned from visiting his family to commence his rehabilitation routine after injuring his knee in a bike accident. It is great to have Ron back to train with and keep me company on our long rides.

I have also had an exciting couple of weeks of meeting new people and opening up new opportunities for myself. I met with the lovely Hannah Cross from Hannmaid earlier this month and am now an ambassador of Hannmaid. I couldn’t be more excited to have this opportunity and cannot wait to work with Hannah. Please check out her beautiful and unique pieces at www.hannmaid.com. I was also lucky enough to meet with Wade from the Carina Leagues Club and listen to his suggestions on marketing myself. Wade’s advice was invaluable and I look forward to working with him and the Club.



Back to my foot rehabilitation… Everything is going really well and I am back to full swim and bike training now. I have started a walking program as well, and speed walk the streets of Carina on a daily basis. I am proud to say that my walking pace was too fast for my coach, Warwick, who struggled to keep up. Don’t mention it though; it’s still a very sensitive subject ;) I am also swimming faster than ever before, breaking my personal best times with very limited speed sessions. I couldn’t be happier with how it is coming along. I am also in the gym with Ron and Warwick building strength and co-ordination three times a week. Co-ordination is not my strong point and Ron and Warwick like to make sure I know it. I enjoy the gym work though and can feel that it makes a huge difference in the water and on the bike.  I should be running again very shortly and cannot wait to get back into it.

I also received a very exciting parcel in the mail this morning, my new race kits, courtesy of Vorgee and Cannibal! I love them so much and can’t wait to get back racing to show them off.





That’s all for now. Stay tuned on my rehabilitation, and don’t forget to ‘like’ my Facebook fan page and follow me on Twitter for more updates.  

Ellie xx