Former 400m runner Nicola Sanders on Sky Scholarship and finally winning an Olympic medal
Christmas on injury woe a beach and an Olympic medal 10 years late! It turned out to be a lively athletics profession for Nicola Sanders.
Among Britains greatest 400m runners, that reluctantly retired from October 2014 after a succession of injuries, shows how becoming a Sky Scholar between 2011 and 2013 turned into a huge boost during a really challenging and painful phase in her entire life.
The mum of two opens up on finding peace with her troubled however glorious journey, as the Scholarships celebrate since launching, with Sanders among 11 pilot Scholars.
The Scholarship programme came at the right time for me personally.
Following a profession in the 2007 World Championship at which I won silver after which a European Indoor gold, I had been hit by trauma from 2008 and 2009 and had not really reached my potential and frustration was setting in.
My coach Tony Lester approached Sky around supporting us and they not only agreed to encourage us in our trip 2012 but they chose to roll it out across several sports and the Sky Scholarship programme has been born. I love to believe I was the inspiration!
When I became a Scholar, my athletics was in a tough place. I was struggling with my injury and that I had to start constructing my own body up out to be stronger.
Having the backing and perception of Sky at a time in this way really boosted me gave me the confidence and perception to continue and arrive.
One of the primary things the programme enabled me to do was to eliminate for hot weather training more. As my muscles didnt need to work quite so hard from the heat, I endured in my career with many injuries but my entire body actually benefited from operating in warmer climates.
Our training group usually travelled to South Africa for the majority of January to escape the British winter but in the lead-up to 2012, Tony and I decided we had to maximise this and move away in December, spend Christmas there and return as normal in late January.
It was hard to be away for Christmas, but it was also a simple decision knowing it would place me in the very best location for the subsequent season.
It was odd being someplace so sexy for Christmas (around 40 levels ) and now I got slightly sunburnt on Christmas Eve that was a brand new one for me personally! There were not many because of the warmth it did not feel like Christmas and decorations up but it went OK.
Christmas afternoon was weird! I spent the afternoon alone (apart from the cleaner that popped in and left me with a biscuit!) And observed boxsets for many of it – Greys Anatomy and 24.
I then did a Skype phone house and my whole household were all sat round the supper table and then I was passed from person to person. On Boxing Day I had been on the trail from the sunshine, although it made me feel miserable. Athletes came and all of us spent New Year together.
Once you know you are doing something that is terrific for your athletics it doesnt really feel like a forfeit and I am grateful Sky gave me the chance to place myself in the best shape I can be.
Unfortunately 2012 did not end up being a terrific year. My back injury lasted and that I had to withdraw in the European philosopher that was my very final chance in the warm-up. Therefore it was just the relay event at the Olympics for me.
I was in very great shape in London. I had a wonderful training camp and had been eager to participate in the relay squad. Unfortunately I didnt get picked for the final group and never got to run in that stadium that was remarkable.
Although it didnt work out just how I desired in London, I love Skys service and help on my trip. I know as a team we gave it our very best shot my body only let me down.
I had an amazing career to look back on with some huge highs. I finally got my Olympic medal (out of Beijing following two teams have been disqualified for doping offenses ) 10 decades late, as a mother of 2, in front of a home crowd from the London Olympic Stadium!
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