 Debbie Tanner at the Beijing World Cup(Photo: Frank Wechsel / triathlon.org; click to enlarge) |
Debbie Tanner steps somewhat into the unknown on Sunday when she lines up in the opening Dextro Energy ITU World Champs Series triathlon in Sydney.
In a year when all eyes are on qualifying for London in August, Tanner knows she needs a big season and yet she must first overcome an off season that included serious rehabilitation of her troublesome Achilles tendons.
Tanner tore both her Achilles tendons in November last year and admits now with the benefit of hindsight that she should have listened to her body then and taken time off. She didn't and paid a price over summer.
"As athletes we are always trying to ensure that every day we make the most out of every situation to ensure we can be the best we can be. As a professional triathlete I think this has been ingrained in my psyche over the years.
"I put tears in both of my Achilles in November, I was unsure at the time how serious it was and continued to train as the 'athlete psyche' set in. I was trying to tell myself 'it wasn't that bad' and 'tomorrow it would be better'.
"Well a few weeks passed and there was no dramatic improvement, I was riding a rollercoaster of good and bad days, taking a few days off and then trying again. Hindsight is really bitter sweet as I should have taken three weeks of in 2010 but suddenly November and December ticked by and mid January arrived. All of a sudden three months had gone by."
This was on the back of 28 year old Tanner finally looking ahead to 2011 knowing that she had finally put paid to her long standing muscle/fascia problems that had plagued her for a number of years. Having to face this new hurdle made Tanner take stock of her career and where it has already taken her.
"I went from being able to run every day to not being able to walk down the stairs in the morning, this was a massive change in lifestyle just in the normal everyday things you do, let alone training. It made me realise a lot and has taken me on an interesting journey.
"I had no choice but to change my routine – so instead of running I was aqua running - and I will say 'running' not jogging as my coach had me do some serious workouts in the pool. I was icing, then getting massage, off to the physio, getting acupuncture and muscle therapy, all on a daily basis. I increased my swim and bike workouts, made use of my spare time in different ways.
"All I am going to say is that it has made me stronger in a lot of ways and sure, my running at the moment is not where it needs to be but I have faith in my team and my coach Pete Pfitzinger. Throughout this whole process I have had a amazing support team which has included George Duncan, Jordon Salesa and Georgina Garrett.
"I am still ready to take on the World in 2011, we have Olympic Qualification in August this year and nothing else matters for me apart from trying to attain one of those NZ spots. That journey starts in Sydney this weekend."
Tanner will be amongst four New Zealand women on the start line on Sunday, with Andrea Hewitt (Christchurch), Nicky Samuels (Wanaka) and Anna Cleaver (Aussie based) also lining up to secure valuable ranking points, both for themselves and for the New Zealand team as they try and qualify three athletes for London 2012.
