When I was growing I was blessed to have great people around to guide and mentor me. One of my business mentors said to me 'Natarsha, if you never ask, you never get.' Well I have listened to this piece of advice throughout all areas of my life.
Being a triathlete in a hobby/amateur sense is tough when you work a full time job, need to train three different disciplines (swim/bike/run) up to twice a day 6 days a week, make time for friends/family and myself is pretty hard going. Not only do you require a level of fitness, discipline, you also need a strong mind.
Earlier this week whilst I was on Twitter (@Supergal007), I realised that the legend of my sport was in the UK and best of all she was in the local area that I train with my club @ThamesTurbo. So keeping in line with my mentors advice I tweeted the following message 'Calling all out there on Twitter lets see if we can get the amazing @ down to our training session this Thursday night' to which I got a reply a couple of days later directly from her to check with her manager and see what could be arranged. When I got this tweet back from her I think I nearly pee'd my pants, lucky for me I was at work and had to maintain composure. Ha Ha Ha.
I did exactly that, I got in touch with her manager and guess what ...........................she had agreed to come down and present to my triathlon club @ThamesTurbo. This all occurred literally last Wednesday. Thursday was the night she was coming to visit us. The plan was to speak to us about her journey, answer some questions and then of course everyone have their photo with her aswell as get items signed. I proceeded to alert all the turbos with the tri club that we were going to have a legend grace us with her presence.
For those reading this post that are not triathletes you may not understand how exciting this was not only for me but also for the many members that were able to make it down on Thursday night. The best way to explain it is, think of your hobby/sport/film star etc and then think of the legend in that and then you meet him/her.........#unbelievable
Meeting Chrissie was an absolute honour. It also came at a time where I was feeling like I had lost my training mojo. She spoke to us of her journey to becoming 4 x World Ironman Champion to which she holds the record time still. She has written a book if any of you are interested in reading about her 'A Life without Limits' Purchase her book :). She is not only an amazing triathlete, but she is also an incredibly humble, genuine and lovely lady. In her honour, the Thames Turbo Triathlon Club and its members raised £500 towards her favoured charity, The Jane Tomlinson Appeal http://www.janetomlinsonappeal.com/.
Since meeting Chrissie on Thursday night I am truly inspired for my relay Ironman next year in Germany and I am also inspired to complete my first full Ironman after Roth, Germany next year in Barcelona in September or in my hometown Melbourne, Australia in March 2014.
One of comments made by Chrissie that I will remember forever is 'Your body can be fit and at its peak, but mostly you need mental strength'. Well Chrissie 'Mental strength and determination' I have, now I just got to train the body to catch up!
I hope you enjoyed this post. Please feel free to write comments, or follow me on Twitter (@Supergal007)
Till next time
Smooches
xxxLabels: Bike, Chrissie Wellington, Honour, Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Legend, Run, Swim, Thames Turbo Triathlon Club, triathlon
