Headline 2012 Swallow News!!!

2011 draws to a close and marks the end of another chapter.  In brief, racing wise, 2011 was a write off.  Bar a victory at South Africa 70.3 and multiple swim/ bike victories I was unable to recover from a serious plantar fascia tear that occurred last Christmas and I struggled and battled before accepting the inevitable rehab period needed all along.

In September I called time on the injury which had become too debilitating to endure.  It is outrageous to think that my foot hurt every time I stepped for almost a year…outrageous for a ‘normal’ person –incomprehensible for someone trying to run marathons, track sessions and up mountains four times a week.

Injuries are very individual things but if I can give one lesson when it comes to the buggers it would be this…..Trust Your Intuition.  If it feels tight- then loosen, if it feels hot then cool it, if it aches then warm it.  In ten years of professional sport I have diagnosed each injury correctly from the offset.  My foot injury needed hands on treatment.  It was past the point of rest and passive therapy was ineffective.

I have been working with an amazing therapist here in Stellenbosch -Francois Retief.  The treatment is painful in the moment but incredibly relieving after each session.  Francois is open minded, versatile in approach and definite in action.  I don’t believe I would be fully training now without his help.

At the end of 2010 I was World 70.3 Champion and in great physical shape due to Brett’s coaching and support and our combined work ethic.  My 2011 was spoilt by injury which occurred from what I believe was lack of maintenance of my body.  The workload I perform is necessary to create champions but I have learnt the hard way that this workload has to be supported by both precaution and reactive therapies.

In October I made the tough decision to leave Team TBB when my contract ended at year end. Hard because I leave Brett, my best friends; – Bek and James and some superb sponsors in Cervelo, 2xu, Louis Garneau, Cobb Saddles and Avia.  My decision was made easy by believing the certainty of what my body is capable of when it is injury free and this must be made prime in my preparations for Ironman.

To be completely honest it is scary.   I have waited to announce my departure to honour my agreements with my sponsors but this leaves me sponsor less with a completely clear vest.  The future is exciting and bright but also unknown.  There are many new relationships to form, as well as old ones to maintain .Ultimately progression prevails and I can’t wait to race again pain free and happy.  Once this is a given then Hawaii 2012 beckons and I will attack it in the 100% way I do.

In the coming months I’ll be racing South Africa 70.3, Abu Dhabi triathlon and Ironman South Africa.  James and I are based here in Stellenbosch with amazing facilities and terrain for training, great training partners and each other.  My website www.ifollowtheswallow.co.uk will be revamped and hopefully new sponsors will step on board, embrace my ability and join me for my exciting journey to Ironman glory.

I need to thank Team TBB; its sponsors, Cervelo, 2XU, Avia, Cobb and Louis Garneau.  Thank you to Alex and mostly to Brett.  Cheers to the future-gold, achievement and happiness.

Jodie x