Georgie Clarke Blogs for RT: Just got to keep the ball rolling…….

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Recapping on the recent domestic season brings mixed emotions. Personally I was slightly disappointed with my performances, sure it was great to be back finally getting through a season uninjured and once again mixing it with the best girls in Australia, you must crawl before you can walk therefore be the best in your country before you can think about trying to mix it with the best in the world! However the reality hit home hard that I am not 19 anymore and that you just don’t simply bounce back from injuries as quickly as you once did!

 

I have come a long way in 16 months, more than what my performances show. But from personal experience the first and second injuries you ever get hurt you most emotionally, but in most cases you recover and return to pre-injury shape relatively quick.  The problem arises when you find yourself spiraling down a path of consecutive serious long term injuries that keep you sidelined for months and unable to build any sort of consistency.

 

For years I have been able to bounce back into reasonable shape within a six month window but the wheels just kept flying off in all different directions leaving the small foundations of the house I just built crumbled into pieces all around me, I had finally come to a cross road, exhausted and unsure which direction to look.

 

I took all of 2009 off to decide how I wanted to proceed with running and life in general! I managed to visit every bar available in Melbourne on a Thursday through to Sunday night, enjoying the city life with all my girlfriends that I usually choose to sacrifice as part of being an elite sports person. I chatted to many past and present athletes and asked myself all the tough questions available to ask. Am I good enough seems the obvious question to ask but in fact it really shouldn’t influence why you choose to pursue something. The question is more do I really want to do this and am I going to enjoy the process, the early mornings, the sacrifices, the tough days when things just simply aren’t going your way.

 

The process of what we choose to do shapes “who” we are as people. It’s not always about achieving the final goal but about making the decisions and choices along the journey that give you the best chance of achieving your dream and aspirations. Very few of us get to achieve what we set out to do but the experiences, the friends you make and the lessons you learn following what your heart wants is simply priceless that no amount of money or knowing the right people can buy.

 

So obviously I decided that I wanted to have one last crack but in doing so I needed to get the environment around me right, making the process of what I do the most enjoyable I can…..

 

I had been doing some business strategy for the small business I am working for, about how to become a successful company/organisation and how it all starts by getting the right people on the bus. Obviously in athletic terms you the athlete need to be driving the bus but then the first step is about getting the right people on the bus with you, the second step of putting the people you have on the bus in the right seats, and lastly ensuring that the communication channels are flowing so everybody knows their roles and when and when not to contribute so the car runs along smoothly without any confusion or confrontation!

 

Sounds simple but in fact it’s a long lengthy process of trial and error, learning from mistakes and good HONEST communication that I feel now after 16months back running (mostly injury free).  I have a great team of amazing people around me that will give me the best chance of making the London 2012 Olympics.

 

I can honestly say that it’s been the most enjoyable 16 months of my running career, my coach Andrew Russell is amazing but also Mark Hipworth who supervisors me along with the great group of boys and girls I have to train with who are both inspiring with their dedication and enthusiasm and in their support and encouragement of me.

 

The highlight for me this summer was the women’s 800m, it was so fantastic to see so many girls fighting it out each meet. My hat goes off to Tamsyn, once again her spirit and courage is unquestionable and inspiring, and Athletics Australia and our fellow athletes will miss her greatly when she decides to “hang up the boots”. The rise of Kelly Hetherington and her superb finishes, the courage of Sianne Toemoe to have a crack and go with Tamsyn in Perth and lastly little Eliza Curnow, its amazing when FINALLY given an opportunity what one can do, to run a PB for a spot in the 800m National final and then get up again and storm home to run another PB in the final to come 5th is what the sport is about. I can honestly say I was the most excited I have been in a long time to see such a great race with so many inspiring girls!!!!

 

So the season is over, winter is here and lots more work is to be done in preparation for better performances!  Exciting times ahead…….