The importance of cheerleaders

Self-motivation is a powerful tool, but there are times when you need people in your corner to give you the push you need.

I’ve been having a hard time seeing the wood for the trees these past few weeks. I’ve been cautiously monitoring a niggle in my back, and there have been situations in life that have left me feeling fairly bleak in terms of motivation.

I’ve been eating not great food; sitting around at work a lot; feeling sorry for myself over the lack of sunshine (but seriously, spring, it really is time for you to turn up now); and there has been a serious lack of good news in my family and friends circle.

The back niggle had been playing on my mind. Was it something serious? I have another mountain recce event coming up and I was worried it would put the stoppers on that. Then I’ve been thinking, it’s practically April and I don’t feel my training is where I want or need it to be.

But, I have been consistent. Even with the muscle injury, I’ve been managing to run treadmill style (still hate it), as forward/backward motion isn’t affected, as well as stretching and strength work. This has, I hope, kept my fitness at a decent level for now.

Lateral movement has been at times excruciating. Could have come from hill work, could have come from spinning around on a hoop, but ultimately, it’s been put down to overcompensating for a mega-tight right-hand-side. Who knew! Long story very short, I visited my insanely good sports therapist the one and only Debbie Domoney, who assured me that movement is medicine.

She always encourages my nuts adventures, my aerial antics, and she knows how anxious I can get if I’m told not to do activity. She basically fixed me. loosening the right back, working the erector spinea (postural muscles), using rock pods – weird little suction cup things, and strapping me up.

My personal trainer Ali has also worked so hard to facilitate my crook back, and I’ve not missed out on any strength training as a result.

Then there’s my hoop partner Lexi who just so happens to be a physio – and very much a positive and encouraging role model. If it doesn’t hurt too much, let’s try it!

Then there are the friends for whom a phone call to give you a boost is really all you need. They’re the ones who lift you when you feel really low and life is going in the right direction. I’m lucky to have a few of these. They make all the difference.

I’ve gone through the blip, and I’m hopefully emerging from the other side with a better back and a thirst to get back on the horse (or in this case the Dragon!)

So moving forward, very literally, I’ll be incorporating more lateral stretching into my week, upping the elevation and interval sessions, oh, and regularly checking in with the people that I call my cheerleaders.

Here’s to spring, healthy eating, and getting on top of training!