National Champs 4yrs post-stroke
Hoping to share an update I have from the last week. I was notified that I've qualified for my state-level team for the Athletics Australia National Championships in the T38 para category. Whilst I was lucky enough to have made the team last year, my times have improved since then and I can't wait to see what I can achieve now!
I'll be competing in the 100m, 200m and 400m - the latter hopefully being my strongest event. It has been very hard work to get to this point, nothing has been linear, and I've had support from many people. My main driver is my progress improving most weeks which is visible physically, socially and mentally. I now can't imagine life without athletics!
One of the best parts of this sport is meeting other para athletes and hearing their story, seeing their progress, and cheering them on. This sport is also inclusive: all abilities, genders, ages can train together.
I'm truly fortunate to have found an outlet starting as social contact and rehab, that has now evolved into part of my new identity and weekly routine. If you are looking to reinvent yourself, try new things and keep going - it may take time, but it is there waiting for you somewhere!