Former 400m runner Nicola Sanders on Sky Scholarship and finally winning an Olympic medal
Christmas on a beach, injury woe and an Olympic medal 10 decades late! It was a lively sports profession for Nicola Sanders.
One of Britains finest runners, who retired from October 2014 following a succession of injuries, reveals just how becoming a Sky Scholar between 2011 and 2013 was a enormous increase during a painful and very challenging phase in her entire life.
The mum of 2 opens up on discovering peace with her troubled yet glorious journey since launch, together with Sanders one of 11 pilot Scholars as the Scholarships celebrate.
The Scholarship programme came at the best time for me personally.
Following a career high at the 2007 World Championship at which I won silver and then a European Indoor gold, I was hit by trauma from 2008 and 2009 and had not really reached my possible and frustration was setting in.
My coach Tony Lester approached Sky around supporting us and they not only agreed to encourage us in our journey to 2012 but they chose to roll it out over a few sport and the Sky Scholarship programme has been born. I like to believe I was the inspiration!
When I became a Scholar, my sports was at a tough location. I struggled with my injury and that I had to start creating my entire own body up from the interior out to be more powerful.
With the backing and impression of Sky at a time in this way really fostered me and gave me the confidence and perception to continue and get there.
One of the chief things that the programme enabled me to do was get away for hot weather training more. As my muscles did not have to work so hard in the warmth, I endured in my career with many chronic injuries but my body benefited from operating in warmer climates.
Our coaching group usually travelled to South Africa for the majority of January to escape the British winter in the lead-up to 2012, Tony and I decided we all had to maximise this and go away in December, spend Christmas there and come back as normal during late January.
It was tough to be away for Christmas, however, it was also an easy decision knowing itd place me at the best location for the subsequent season.
It was strange being someplace so sexy for Christmas (up to 40 levels ) and I got slightly sunburnt on Christmas Eve that was a brand new one for me! It went OK although there werent lots of due to the warmth it did not feel like Christmas and decorations up.
Christmas day was weird! I spent the day alone (apart from the cleaner that participates in and left me with a biscuit!) And observed boxsets for most of it – Greys Anatomy and 24.
I then did a Skype phone home and my entire family were sat round the supper table and I was passed from person to person. On Boxing Day I had been on the trail in the sun, although it made me feel miserable. More athletes arrived and all of us spent New Year with all the beach that was good.
If you know that youre doing something that is great for your athletics it does not really feel as a sacrifice and I am grateful Sky gave me the opportunity to place myself in the best shape I can be.
Regrettably 2012 didnt prove to be a fantastic year. My back injury lasted and I had to withdraw in the European Championships which was my last opportunity in the warm-up. Therefore it was only the relay event at the Olympics for me.
I was in really good shape in London. I was excited to be part of the relay group and had a fantastic training camp. I did not get chosen for the group and never have to run in that incredible Olympic stadium.
Though it didnt work out how I needed in London, I value Skys service and help on my trip. I know as a group we gave it our best shot my body just let me.
I had an amazing career to look back with a few massive highs. I even finally got my Olympic medal (from Beijing after two groups have been disqualified for doping violations) 10 years overdue, as a mum of two, before a house audience in the London Olympic Stadium!
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