‘Be strong because things will get better,
It may be stormy now
But it never rains forever’
Louis D’Alto.

I am often in awe of the human body. Time and time again it demonstrates an incredible resilience against injury, pain and insult. It knows all the short cuts and the ‘path of least resistance’ to heal and regenerate. It always knows best and therefore learning to ‘listen to your body’ is a skill in itself.

Athletes throw everything at their bodies to prepare and primp it for ultimate performance. We seek help from professionals to embrace those characteristics biology granted us – to hunt out and to push the boundaries of our own natural physical capabilities. We opt to nourish it with the best ingredients and foods but tend to poison it with our favourite tipple in celebration. We are the masters of discipline and self-control. We squeeze living into every minute and hour of our days and prioritise time outdoors to encourage and heal the soul.

I didn’t listen to my body in Hawai’i.

I have made the retrospective discovery that an incredible pain tolerance is not always advisable or preferable. Deep down I knew I had potentially sustained a nasty injury four days prior to the Xterra World Championships (off-road triathlon) on a rather easy but storm destroyed, mud saturated mountain bike trail. Though its true form and diagnosis was not known, I couldn’t sleep and could barely move or breathe. Yet somehow I believed that lining up at the World Champs, for which I had sacrificed so much to be a part of, was far more favourable and worth the risk than cheering injured and deflated from the side-line. I truly thought I would not get past the rough, wavy swim, or if I could, then surely not last the mountain bike and call it day well before the trail run leg. But the human body- fuelled with adrenaline, stubbornness and an inbuilt competitive nature I strive from, got me to that finish line and remarkably held a podium position for two thirds of the race. I crashed dangerously hard off my bike three times but continued to smash the descents and endure the climbs. Celebrate every finish line your determination grants for each one is its own unique accomplishment.

Three weeks later follow-up x-rays were ordered and I shocked both myself and my doctors with the discovery of two vertebrae fractures in my neck and central cord syndrome. I felt like my world was suddenly warping around me and I was utterly horrified at what I had been up to with these unknown and undiagnosed fractures and a spinal cord injury. It couldn’t be true! I am also battling a frustratingly debilitating concussion.

My summer goals are currently on hold and I am forced to slow down and focus all my energy towards healing. (For those who know me, I really do not ‘do slow’ well in any way shape or form…) I live life in the fast lane; I’m inherently clumsy and accident prone. I proved to myself that even with all my winter challenges and setbacks, I can still be on top in my sport. I will use this to fuel my recovery and take hold of every rehab opportunity. With some good fortune and hard work, I hope and believe that I can line up at Maui in whatever capacity again next year. I will continue to put myself out there and strive for personal excellence. I never give up. Never have and never will. 🙂

– Holly