Coached Athlete Review…Read about how Lou has in her own words been ‘Riding the Rollercoaster’ over the last few seasons, but is determined to put in a good performance and enjoy the whole experience at the upcoming Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Taupo, New Zealand…
Riding the rollercoaster…. Like many, I’m sure, the last few years have brought many of life’s ups and downs to our household – family dramas, bereavements, illness, work challenges, but celebrations and success too. All of this has meant even more care and attention to spinning the plates and striving to balance the needs of others as well as self. However, the one constant, for the last 6 years, has been training and triathlon – many times, it’s been the escape, the distraction and the thing that keeps me physically and mentally grounded.
In 2022, I suffered the first significant health setback of my life, which required major surgery and led to many weeks and months of uncertainty, during which I was unable to do much physically. It was a rude awakening to have that “constant” removed from my life. I was shocked by how closely training and feeling physically strong was connected to my confidence and overall mental wellbeing.
I’ve been coached by Brent since 2018 and, together we’ve achieved some great results over the years, so he knows me almost as well as my doctors! He and Helen were great support when that setback hit. In fact, I spent the week before surgery on camp and Brent was one of the first people I was in touch with once I was out of hospital! It was a bit of an arduous process to get me effectively back in the pool, on the bike and into my trainers – especially as I was so impatient – but Brent was there each step of the way. By the 2023 season, I was back to Age Group competition and with a goal of qualifying for the Ironman 70.3 World Champs in New Zealand this year – which I achieved with my podium result at the IM 70.3 Middle East Championships.
This May, another health set back, rather more serious, sent me back to weeks in hospital and months away from training. Brent regularly checked in on me, offering support and comfort and, in August, feeling deeply grateful to even consider getting back to physical fitness, we started once more to “get back in the saddle”. There were days when I didn’t know how my body would respond and many more when my mind wouldn’t let me believe I’d see any progress – and those days still hit me like a freight train. Despite my own doubts, Brent’s confidence in me and the plan was, and continues to be, unwavering.
Having a coach who knows both your body and your brain, who has been with you through highs and lows, can anticipate your needs and adapt to your evolving goals and life’s challenges, cannot be replaced. It’s the depth of understanding and the relationship built over time that goes far beyond just fitness. Someone who will be there with you at peak fitness and on the podium but, even more importantly, someone who’s in the recovery room, waiting for the dia/prognosis and throughout rehab. That kind of support creates a bond and trust that no app, virtual tool or qualified stranger can replicate.
I’m still not even sure how we’ve managed it – a lot of hard work on both our parts, a lot of swearing on my part for sure and perhaps a little bit of fairy dust – but, in two weeks I’m planning to be on a jet plane to New Zealand to get myself on that startline of the Ironman 70.3 World Champs. Different goals – of course, my body is still recovering. Different mindset – I’m trying my very best. But, knowing if I can get round the course safely in my personal target ranges, it’s going to be one of the biggest achievements of my life!
Coached Athlete – Louise Gretton
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