Arles Bound

It is now four weeks since my last competition in Desenzano del Garda, Italy. Four weeks spent recovering my injured foot, regaining strength, fitness and confidence after things went every which way but what we hoped for from that competition.

To sum things up: I had failed to meet an important goal that I felt had been a realistic one. I had carried out one of the worst performances of my career when it was most important for me to do my best. This thought has filled me with self-doubt, self-damnation, worry and even guilt for letting myself down. However, I had not tried to do poorly. Moreover, this loss was not me – it was just something I was experiencing!

I asked myself a few questions: do I believe I deserve the success I am having? Am I afraid I cannon maintain that success? That was my fear talking. However, giving over to fear was dishonest to all the hard work, time and effort on my part and Bart’s to achieve our success.

Just like training my skills over the hurdles, or throwing the shot put, learning to make the journey from immediate loss to eventual gain is important – finding the lessons in loss has an interesting way of putting you back in control.

What I learned about me, and what I need to be at my best in competition is quite simple. I need to keep my focus on one task and to acknowledge that all the hard work is done when I go to the start of a competition – I no longer can control any details, but rather just focus on 1 to 2 cues, and just go on feeling great!

As you know by now, quotes help me to express what I sometimes cannot find words for on my own. I thought of many examples, but settled on some lyrics from a pop song – thinking of Danielle's list of Role Models, here’s Miley Cyrus’ The Climb:

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there’s a voice inside my head saying
“you’ll never reach it.”

Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

The struggles I’m facing
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I’m not breaking.

So, with a renewed sense of confidence, rest in my head from panic, and a simple game plan, I will make my way to the south of France tomorrow, to compete in Arles. You can follow results at the following link: http://www.iaaf.org/wce09/results/eventCode=4155/index.html

I am going out there to have fun, finish the competition in one piece and feel better prepared to head home in just over a week to Canada and prepare for the Trials for the World Championships, held June25-26 in Toronto, Ontario!

Wish me luck!

Your Athlete,
Susan