Injury and Inspiration – Laura’s Triathlon Journey

Racing Through Setbacks

It’s been a while since my last update, and the reason is every triathlete’s worst nightmare: injury. At first, it was just a small niggle I thought would go away. I could still run, but not at full speed, and swimming left me feeling slightly off balance. From experience, I knew better than to let it heal on its own.

I stayed on top of my regular weekly massages, visited my wonderful osteopath (who put my hip back into place), and hoped things would improve. But as the weeks went by, the pain grew worse. Running became almost impossible, and even walking was a struggle. I shifted my focus to core work, cycling, swimming, and stretching—determined to keep moving forward.

Racing Through Setbacks

There were no races for me in September or October. But come mid-November, it was time for the World Champs qualifier, and I couldn’t let the chance slip away—even without full run fitness.

The race day was far from ideal: wet, windy, and cold. The water was warmer than the air, and I half wished my UCAN nutrition had been served hot! Despite nearly falling off my bike in transition (numb hands and feet from the chill), I powered through the bike leg strong against the headwind.

Heading into the run, I knew it was all about grit. Go as hard as I could, hold it for as long as possible, and hope my leg would hold out. Three younger competitors passed me on the two-lap run, but determination carried me forward. I crossed the finish line as the 8th overall female and 1st in my age group by 13 minutes—good enough to secure my spot at the 2018 World Championships on the Gold Coast.

Healing and Moving Forward

After the qualifier, it was back to the recovery grind—massages, osteopathy, and now physiotherapy with acupuncture on my leg and foot. Two months later, progress finally showed. Last weekend I managed to race twice, two 5.5k loops on consecutive days. Not fast, but pain-free, and that’s a victory.

We also hosted our club half ironman, including the Enduro and Aquabike champs. While I wasn’t racing, I loved being part of the event, volunteering, and supporting fellow athletes. My role was mostly on the run course—checking on volunteers, assisting where needed, and finally serving as “tail-end Charlie,” chaperoning the last runner to the finish.

The Spirit of Triathlon

That runner was struggling, but determined to beat the cut-off. Together, we came up with a run/walk plan, pacing the final miles within their limits. When walking, we chatted to keep spirits up; when running, I stayed quiet, simply offering steady support. Step by step, the determination grew stronger.

In the end, they crossed the line with 15 minutes to spare—overtaking another competitor along the way. The grit, perseverance, and joy in that finish are moments I’ll never forget.

That’s the beauty of triathlon: it’s inclusive, inspiring, and open to anyone who wants to test themselves. Whether you’re a professional chasing podiums or a first-timer chasing cut-offs, this sport celebrates resilience, community, and the power of never giving up.

Fueling the Journey

Injury may have slowed me down, but it didn’t stop me. With patience, support, and the right fuel, progress is possible. Every race, every setback, every comeback—these are the chapters that make the journey worthwhile.

Here’s to recovery, to resilience, and to the UCAN moments that remind us why we do this sport.

Laura’s story is a reminder that with steady energy and determination, you CAN achieve your goals.