Davis Looks to Make History Again
12th August
The Newsletter
By Nigel Ringland
It’s one year ago this week since Bangor’s Emma Davis made a little bit of history by becoming the first triathlete to represent Ireland in the Olympic Games. Her 37th place finish in Beijing was all the more remarkable because Davis had spent the previous six months globetrotting in her first season on the World Cup circuit in order to qualify.
That torturous schedule took its toll on the 23 year-old.
“I had to race pretty much every week in different countries and continents throughout 2008 in order to qualify. This took a big toll on my body and by the end of the season last year I had sustained four fractures - one in my foot that I had during the games and three in my knee, with possibly a fifth in my spine which was present during the Games. It took a long time for the ones in my knee to heal and I am really only just in the last three weeks back to full training.”
With the help of her coach Chris Jones, her physio Deirdre Burrell and with the backing and support of the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland, Davis returned to World Cup action in the London Triathlon last weekend after missing most of the season.
She explains, “This year has been very tough for me, both emotionally and physically. There were a lot of things I needed to learn and accept in order to move forward. Triathlon is my life and I had to learn how to live without it which was not fun at all. I am glad to be back racing but am still not feeling back to my full fitness as I'm sure you could see as the race developed in the later stages in London.”
Given the circumstances Davis had an excellent result finishing 35th but was right up with the leaders at the end of the 1500m swim and 40km cycle.
“I had a great swim and bike and felt in control but when we went onto the run I just had nothing left in my legs to give. This was a feeling I haven't had racing for a long time. I know what is needed is time and consistent training and it will come.
As I say I have really only been back in full training for three weeks, I feel that my swim and bike are close to where they need to be but the run is not even 50% there. In the next month to six weeks I hope to see big improvements. I will continue to race to the end of the season in November.”
Davis now has company on the circuit with Derry’s Aileen Morrison who unfortunately suffered a season ending crash during the cycle in Hyde Park but the duo are spearheading the Irish challenge heading to the Olympics at the same venue in 2012.
Davis says, “I hope to have a great 2010 back to full fitness and injury free. I am aiming to qualify for London a lot earlier than I did for Beijing and as a result not put my body through such a traumatic schedule. It is great to have another Irish girl racing on the World Cup Series with me. Triathlon in Ireland is now unrecognisable when compared to what we had back in 2008 and before. We have come such a long way.”
With thanks to Richard Mulligan, Sports Editor of The Newsletter
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