Help S Weir compete for TeamGB
Donation protected
I was always an active kid, playing netball, swimming and football. I progressed to the Woman's Scottish Football League and played until I was 29yrs old.
My position as a winger, meant lots of power sprinting in most matches, this gave me the ground work into running when my football career ended. I started with a 5k, then 10km, half and then full marathon.
While competing in the Edinburgh marathon, I damaged my knee at mile 9, but carried on to the finish line with a 3h 43m time. The result being substantial damaged to the cartilage in my knee which required an operation. Thankfully, it was successful and with great physiotherapy, a recovery plan and sheer determination, I was back running in a matter of weeks.
After 4 years of being injury free, disaster struck again, injuring cartilage in my other knee. An operation and an outcome of being unable to run or do any high impact sport was diagnosed.
This was unthinkable, as my good mental and physical health is interlinked.
Post Operation and 12 weeks on crutches, I began strength and flexibility training, running in the pool to rebuild the 60% muscle atrophy. Gradually swimming and cycling more frequently and progressing in endurance and strength, I decided to look into training toward Triathlons and Aquathons.
Building knowledge and training to reach my goal of competing at local and national levels, I was shocked to find myself reaching 1st place twice, 2nd place 3 times and 5th place in mixed races in the summer of 2019.
My greatest achievement was finishing 4th in the mixed event at the London Super Sprint Triathlon in 2019. My results over the season qualified me for Team GB and allow me to compete for Britain in my age group in Aquathlon.
In March 2020 (lockdown 1), I qualified for the European Championships (Austria) and World Championships (Almere, Holland), unfortunately due to Covid 19, they were postponed until 2021.
As 2020 didn’t allow for any social events in lockdown, training continued in the spare room/gym conversion. Swimming, when allowed, was in open water in Aberdeens River Dee.
I made some great online friendships via Tridot (online Triathlon Group) and Dame Kelly Holmes ‘Military in Motion’ virtual workouts, gaining a new 5k PB and greater w/kg power on my bike.
In 2021, I will be competing in the Triathlon Super Sprint Team in Edmonton, Triathlon Sprint in Bermuda, Aquathon in Austria and Holland.
It is not viable to train for an Olympic Triathlon due to my injuries, but with good nutrition, strength and conditioning (although I hate squats and lunges), and endurance sessions, I am able to stay active and compete in these sports at shorter distances.
In 2021, I am looking forward to pulling on the TeamGB kit, reaching my potential and making myself, family, friends and sponsors proud!!!
I will need to self fund flights and transport, accommodation, GB age group kit, bike hire/luggage, race fees, nutrition, insurance and medical costs.
Please help me to get there as there are many expenses such as these that come with selection and no financial support from British Triathlon.
I will be so grateful for any donations which will help me towards achieving my goal to represent Great Britain in Triathlon and Aquathon. Every bit WILL count.
My position as a winger, meant lots of power sprinting in most matches, this gave me the ground work into running when my football career ended. I started with a 5k, then 10km, half and then full marathon.
While competing in the Edinburgh marathon, I damaged my knee at mile 9, but carried on to the finish line with a 3h 43m time. The result being substantial damaged to the cartilage in my knee which required an operation. Thankfully, it was successful and with great physiotherapy, a recovery plan and sheer determination, I was back running in a matter of weeks.
After 4 years of being injury free, disaster struck again, injuring cartilage in my other knee. An operation and an outcome of being unable to run or do any high impact sport was diagnosed.
This was unthinkable, as my good mental and physical health is interlinked.
Post Operation and 12 weeks on crutches, I began strength and flexibility training, running in the pool to rebuild the 60% muscle atrophy. Gradually swimming and cycling more frequently and progressing in endurance and strength, I decided to look into training toward Triathlons and Aquathons.
Building knowledge and training to reach my goal of competing at local and national levels, I was shocked to find myself reaching 1st place twice, 2nd place 3 times and 5th place in mixed races in the summer of 2019.
My greatest achievement was finishing 4th in the mixed event at the London Super Sprint Triathlon in 2019. My results over the season qualified me for Team GB and allow me to compete for Britain in my age group in Aquathlon.
In March 2020 (lockdown 1), I qualified for the European Championships (Austria) and World Championships (Almere, Holland), unfortunately due to Covid 19, they were postponed until 2021.
As 2020 didn’t allow for any social events in lockdown, training continued in the spare room/gym conversion. Swimming, when allowed, was in open water in Aberdeens River Dee.
I made some great online friendships via Tridot (online Triathlon Group) and Dame Kelly Holmes ‘Military in Motion’ virtual workouts, gaining a new 5k PB and greater w/kg power on my bike.
In 2021, I will be competing in the Triathlon Super Sprint Team in Edmonton, Triathlon Sprint in Bermuda, Aquathon in Austria and Holland.
It is not viable to train for an Olympic Triathlon due to my injuries, but with good nutrition, strength and conditioning (although I hate squats and lunges), and endurance sessions, I am able to stay active and compete in these sports at shorter distances.
In 2021, I am looking forward to pulling on the TeamGB kit, reaching my potential and making myself, family, friends and sponsors proud!!!
I will need to self fund flights and transport, accommodation, GB age group kit, bike hire/luggage, race fees, nutrition, insurance and medical costs.
Please help me to get there as there are many expenses such as these that come with selection and no financial support from British Triathlon.
I will be so grateful for any donations which will help me towards achieving my goal to represent Great Britain in Triathlon and Aquathon. Every bit WILL count.
Organizer
Sandra Weir
Organizer
