Former 400m runner Nicola Sanders on Sky Scholarship and finally winning an Olympic medal
Christmas on a shore, injury woe and an Olympic medal ! It turned out to be a lively sports career for Nicola Sanders.
Among Britains finest runners, that reluctantly retired following a series of injuries, reveals just how being a Sky Scholar between 2011 and 2013 had been a increase during a painful and challenging period in her entire life.
The mum of two opens up on discovering peace as the Scholarships celebrate since launch, together with Sanders among 11 pilot Scholars.
The Scholarship programme came at the right time for me.
Following a career high at the 2007 World Championship in which I won silver and then a European Indoor gold, I was struck by trauma at 2008 and 2009 and had not really reached my potential and frustration was setting in.
My coach Tony Lester approached Sky about encouraging individuals and they not only agreed to support us in our journey 2012 but they decided to roll it out across a few sports and the Sky Scholarship programme was born. I love to think I had been the inspiration!
When I became a Scholar, my sports was at a tough location. I struggled with my injury and I had to begin from scratch, building up my own body out to become more powerful.
Having the backing and belief of Sky at a time in this way really fostered me and gave me the confidence and belief to continue and arrive.
One of the primary things the programme enabled me to do was eliminate for warm weather training more. I suffered with several chronic injuries but my entire body because my muscles didnt have to work quite so hard from the warmth.
Our coaching group usually travelled to South Africa for most of January to escape the British winter but in the lead-up into 2012, Tony and I decided we needed to maximise this and move out in December, spend Christmas up there and return as normal during late January.
It was tough to be away for Christmas, however, it was also a simple decision knowing itd put me in the ideal location for the next season.
It was strange being somewhere so sexy for Christmas (up to 40 levels ) and I got somewhat sunburnt on Christmas Eve that was a brand new one for me personally! It all went OK although there werent lots of decorations up and because of the heat it didnt feel like Christmas.
Christmas afternoon was bizarre! I spent the day alone (besides the cleaner who drifted in and left me a biscuit!) And watched boxsets for many of it Greys Anatomy and 24.
Then I did a Skype call house and my entire household were sat round the supper table and I had been passed from person to person. It made me feel sad, but on Boxing Day I was on the track in the gorgeous South African sun. More athletes came and all of us spent New Year together.
When you know that youre doing something thats terrific for your athletics it does not really feel as a forfeit and I am grateful Sky gave me the chance to place myself in the very best shape I can be.
Unfortunately 2012 didnt prove to be a fantastic year. My injury lasted and that I had to draw from the European bible that was my final opportunity to qualify to the individual 400m at the London Games in the warm-up. Therefore it was the relay event in the Olympics for me personally.
I had been in really good shape in London. I had been eager to participate in the relay group and had a wonderful training camp. I did not get picked for the team that was last and never got to run in that Olympic stadium.
Although it didnt work out just how I needed in London, I value Skys service and help on my trip. I understand as a team we gave it our very best shot my body only let me.
I had an incredible career to look back with some huge highs. I finally got my Olympic medal (from Beijing after two teams have been disqualified for doping violations) 10 years late, as a mum of two, in front of a house crowd in the London Olympic Stadium!
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