Life After Retirement

It seems like I have been hiding for such a long time when infact I probably spent along time making the hardest decision of my life!!! The thought that you may walk away from something that you have spent nearly every day of your adolescent life giving 100% of your time too is definitely one of the hardest choices too make.......The thought that you don't have anything to keep your mind and body occupied for the foreseeable future is very scary indeed!!!

I made the decision to retire by myself and didn't discuss it with anyone not even my family, I spoke with my local reporter Bill before I told my parents I had decided to hang up my spikes. I held it back until the day I knew it was going to go to press and then I rand my mum and told her, to say I was slightly emotional was an understatement to say the least. Walking away from something you love and enjoy is probably the hardest decision you have too make, but knowing that your body and mind has been put through enough and maybe it would be nice too kick back and enjoy being away from the rigid day to day routine, and giving back from life experiences and dramas surely something good would come of it!!!

They say as one door closes another one opens and that saying is very true. The day I announced my retirement I received a phone call from Olympic Swimmer Adam Whitehouse asking me if I would be interested in joining the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust as an Athlete Mentor, to say I was overwhelmed is an understatement, to be given the opportunity to give something back, change young peoples lives, and make a difference is something I strive to achieve on a daily basis. I had my first taster of the work they do this week by joining the Get On Track Program in Barnstable and to see the difference made in just three days to young peoples personalities, confidence, and self esteem is amazing and I cant wait to see the progress these young people make over the coming weeks when I drop in too see them all. I feel very privileged to be able to be part of the team and cant wait to be part of more programs and make a bigger difference to more young peoples lives.

I have another venture to sink my teeth into in September too which hopefully I will be able too share with you guys soon.

I will try to blog more often now.....although I have hung up my spikes my life has still taken a turn for the better and the future is looking amazing and I cant wait to enjoy the next chapter of my life and embrace the journey ahead

     

Where Have I Been?!

Cant believe how long it's been since my last blog!! I have not vanished off the face of the earth honest!! 

I have had a major break from athletics and training infact I have come very close to retiring and hanging up the spikes for good and have been frequently asked what my plans are so let me explain........

As anyone within sport knows there does come a point in life where you think enough is enough now I just want to enjoy life, kick back and put the feet up!! These have been on my mind for a long time now and I had decided that I wanted to retire. 

My daughter is 6 now and I have realised just how fast children grow up and how much I have missed and that I will never gain that back!! As you can imagine Mia herself is very sporty taking part in athletics herself which I coach and also showing signs of a good footballer. It shows she has my genes as I was just like that growing up, however I gave up football and followed the dream of becoming an international athlete! 

I have enjoyed being at home with her when she gets home from school and listening to her read and help with her homework. Also standing out in the cold watching her take part in sport and cheering her on and feeling proud like my parents had done for me over the years. I guess I was feeling very selfish that I wasn't giving Mia as much time as she needed and I didn't want her to turn to me one day and say you where never there for me mummy!!! As that would break my heart, I want to give Mia the best possible start to her own future and already she has the dream to be the next Jessica Ennis. I am sure that with the mind set she already has and what she has already seen myself go through it's not a dream for her she can make it a reality, I have a great training partner in her and she is out on runs with me!! 

I have never neglected Mia in anyway she has always come before anything in my life maybe it was just a thought process I was going through!! 

After months of being lazy and enjoying being mum again I have had a lot of time to reflect and have missed being away from training and secretly the pain that comes with it. I have had no pressure put on me by anyone on what I am going to do, or my parents saying I am making a big mistake giving up and I think they did the best thing letting me be and giving me time and space. I have gone through a fight with my head and my heart about what I should do!! 

So we have set a whole new challenge and plan for this year which will be revealed in time and I am back to full training that fits around me being there for Mia, when she is at football training I am in the court next door training myself. I know I can do it and can't wait to see how this year pans out as it's make or break and if it don't work out I can hang up my spikes with no regret :o) 

Things Are Looking Up.......

So finally things are looking up and I am making progress and back to some training at long last!!

I had my results back from my MRI Scan which showed I had server thickening and blood on the insertion of the plantar fascia so am due to have an injection in my heal first thing Tuesday morning. I have been told that I will be given a piece of wood to bite down on as it will be painful haha. I've had injections before but having one in my heal I can't say I am looking forward to it one bit!! I am hopeful however, that it will help and I will eventually be pain free. So I have everything crossed!!

I have been able to get back to some training and even tried out some new things to help get myself fitter and stronger. I have done Aqua classes in the pool which I really enjoyed and seen as it doesn't put any impact on my foot I was able to push myself harder. Brilliant session and whole body work out, never thought it was possible to sweat in the water!! Haha
I have also attended Body Pump as well and that's taking thing to a whole different level all together!!! Never thought I would hurt as much as I did, I would rather do heavy power lifts than that! The burn and lactic was unreal, but again I thoroughly enjoyed it and will defiantly be doing it again next week. I am even looking at Spinning classes as well, I really am on a roll here haha. I have to get fit with the least amount of pain felt in my foot so that once it has settled I am ready to hit the track hard instead of feeling like I am just starting out all over again!!

I have been lucky this week in that I have been able to do two running sessions with very little discomfort in my foot. For once I was sensible and didn't overdo it or get excited and think I could push out an extra run!! I really don't want to be away from training any longer and more importantly push the rehab back!!

So all being well and following my injection I should get the all clear and then I can look forward to getting myself in great shape and injury free and ready for a full outdoor season. Like I have said many times before these things happen for a reason and I am confident some good will come out of this tricky situation 😊

So till next time peeps 😘

The Story Keeps Repeating

Sorry it's been a while since my last blog, I was hoping that I would be able to write about how well my Indoor Campaign had been going after opening up in December with a good few runs and how I was prepared and ready for the nationals that kick off this weekend but unfortunately for me the story of my career keeps repeating itself and the dark cloud of injury has raised its head again...........

Although this Winters training had been my best ever in my career I had picked up a niggle in my foot and like any athlete knows the term 'I can run through this' I continued to do so thinking it would get easier and go away!
I was treating it but the pain wouldn't go away and it got to the point that I was unable to run at all, and put any pressure through my foot especially my heel. I did continue to train but instead of pounding on the track I adapted my sessions as athletes do to maintain some kind of training. I trained on the high jump bed which I was able to do pain free but once I got off it the pain came back!!
I was told that I had Plantar Fascia problems however I didn't show the normal signs or patterns for this as the Plantar Fascia normally warms up and the pain eases off, whereas for me it was constant. I am still struggling now and it's been over about 12 weeks so I have had to kiss goodbye to my plans to compete indoors.

As a precaution I was placed in an aircast boot to give my foot a rest and I have now had an MRI scan and am waiting on results as I could have a stress fracture in my heel or I may have ruptured my Plantar Fascia........I think it's the not knowing which is killing me the most at the moment as I am unable to do anything, I just want an answer then I can move forward with rehab and fingers crossed get myself ready to compete in the summer!! I suppose the one positive I have taken from this situation is that I have been in this position before the year of the commonwealths I missed the indoor season and a lot of training due to a stress fracture in the same foot but I came back and had an incredible summer and walked away with two medals!!

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason so I hold out hope that my injury isn't too serious and that I can dust myself off and get back to what I live for my athletics and being the best I can be!

Honorary Degree Graduation

Signing the Honorary Degree Book 

Friday the 2nd of November 2012 I was awarded a Degree of Master of Science Honoris Causa by UCP Marjon Plymouth where I am an alumni. I was supposed to receive this Honorary degree last year but due to sporting commitments I was unable to make it so it was put on hold until now.

I feel very blessed, honoured and privileged to have been part of this occasion and given recognition. Myself and my family where made to feel very welcome by everyone and we had a fantastic day. Marjon did such a fantastic job and a massive thank you goes to Emma Renyard and Stan Cinnamond for making my day complete. I have never felt so nervous in my life than having to stand and collect my degree and bare my soul to the congregation and give a speech!!! This was probably because my speech was from the heart and this was my chance to thank the ones that have been there for me through the thick and thin and supported me every step of the way and I really don't think I can ever thank them enough and that's my Parents of course ......I struggled to hold back the emotions as I bared my soul to the room but I managed to talk about all the tough times myself and my family have been through and just how much they mean too me. I love my mum and dad so very much and I don't know what I would do without them.

Mia with Magnus Scheving aka Sportacus 

The same day as I got awarded an Honorary degree so did Magnus Scheving aka Sportacus from Lazy Town, of course I know who he is as I have Mia so get to watch these type of programs. I do have to say what a lovely man he was, he made Mia's day. I said hello and introduced Mia to him and he walked straight over to her picked her up gave her a kiss and a cuddle and chatted about Lazy Town. They sang the song together and he took her hand moved into some space and said 'you know Stephanie, I do a dance with her can I pretend you are Stephanie and do it with you' so they did. It was so sweet and made Mia's day, he personally signed a card for her too!! I really respect people like that who take time to make people feel welcome. We did have to explain to Mia that he was a bit like Superman and wouldn't have his suit on as he wasn't in Lazy Town bless her aye the things we do for kids

It really was an amazing day more than I could have imagined and having my family there too was even better. So thank you to everyone who was part of this day I raise a toast to you all xxxx

Winter has begun........

So the last time I did my blog I explained that I was going into have my plates and pins removed from my right wrist and wasn't sure if I would require a bone graft. The good news is I didn't my surgeon was happy with the results and at the moment no further surgery is required however I do need to be careful with weight baring through my wrist as I still have a few holes in my arm as a result of these pictured to the right.........

I have now gone into the Winter training phase which I can for once say I am really enjoying it at the moment!! Never thought I would say that as the Winter phase is the hardest part as its about putting down the foundations for next year which means I am having to put in the mileage.....yes that's right! you heard it correct, no sprinting or spikes for me!! The only spikes I will be wearing is of the Cross Country kind as at the moment there are talks of me having to do a few to help me get stronger and work on my endurance, plus a few 3k races on the road Eeeekkkk!!

Last month I was asked to start a trail run and whilst there they had a 2 mile fun run which Mia decided she wanted to have a go at which meant because she was so young and there were rivers and muddy puddles to tackle on route I had to join her on the run! It was great we both really enjoyed it even if the muddy puddles did come up to Mia's waist and she lost her shoe a few times she made it round in about 20 minutes and this was us afterwards however I wasn't impressed with the state of my nice trainers. I suppose I better get use to it though if I really do have to embark on some Cross Country running!! I have even gone and got myself a push bike to get riding too I really am on a get stronger mission......I was inspired by Mia as she has recently learnt to ride her bike with no stabilizers it only took her five minutes, she sat on and I pushed her whilst holding onto the seat she shouted 'LET GO MUM' I did and she was gone!! I was so proud of her so now we can go bike riding together which I cant wait to do!! Love being a mummy :o)

So at the moment things are going great I have been ill the last week with a horrible sickness bug which has attack the whole of the Endacott Family (sorry ) so that put paid to the training for a week so now I am weaning myself back this week and looking forward to the rest of the Winter and a few new adventures to undertake so till next time.........

End of the Season

I have recently gone into Winter Training mode as I called an end to my season after the Olympic Trials and have been busy in the weights room under new guidance, getting alot stronger and working on correcting weaknesses in my body. Also I have been putting the winter over distance work in on the track too and I never thought that I would say it but I have secretly enjoyed every minute of it and the challenge!!

This Saturday is the last fixture of the Southern League for my club and its a home fixture too so I thought it would be rude of me to not compete. I always enjoy competing for my club as this is my grass roots and where I started out and where I belong. So I have decided to taper the training down this week so I can do a bit of multi eventing on Saturday and have a bit of fun in my last comp of the outdoor season. A bit of running, jumping and throwing all in the name of points for the club, then back to the Winter graft!!!


As some of you may know I had surgery last year to have a ulna shortening done in my right wrist and next month I will again be undergoing more surgery to have my plates and pins removed as they cause me some discomfort due to where they are located. There is also a possibility that the bone has not formed correctly as in a previous xray on my wrist it showed a bit of bone that had not reformed properly so depending what the prognosis is when my surgeon goes in I could have to have a bone graft done!!!! I have been very unlucky when it comes to injuries but I will not know how my arm is until I awake from surgery on the 10th of September. As I have always said I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and I am strong enough to comeback whatever the outcome maybe. I have everything crossed that I do not have to have a bone graft done as the recovery is alot longer than I anticipated but what ever it is I will face it head on and deal with it, you can knock me down but you cant keep me down I will come back stronger...........