New Gal At The Dance

Former ITA member and current Hanoverian, Sarah Groff, recently made triathlon history by becoming the first American woman to podium in the illustrious World Championship Series of the International Triathlon Union.  While watching the race stream live from Kitzbuhel, Austria last Sunday, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by admiration.  You see, I got to know Sarah this past fall when Sarah was recovering from a disappointing athletic year- one which saw broken bones, overtraining, and severe blows to confidence.  Her build up for the 2011 season didn’t fare any better, as an early training camp in Kenya was ended abruptly after a crash during a training ride reinjured her sacrum (which she had fractured the previous year).  Her injures forced her to take more time off, and come January, she was still unable to run for more than fifteen minutes at a time.  Sarah’s woes continued at the first race of the World Championship Series (WCS) in Sydney, Australia when an athlete crashed on the bike in front of her, taking Sarah out of the race.  However, Sarah was never deterred.  Her determination never wavered.  Through adversity, injury, and inability to train, Sarah kept striving at becoming the best triathlete she could be.  Once her injures healed, she picked up where she left off, logging the hours and miles to regain her fitness and speed.  In the second WCS event held in Madrid, Spain, Sarah posted her best result ever by finishing seventh and crossed the line as the top American.  Her confidence grew, and a few weeks later she saw herself get off the bike and begin the run in a small lead pack of six women.  Sarah hung tough as women began falling from the lead pack, soon there were only four, then three.  Running the third fastest run split of the day, Sarah was able to hold on to bronze and claimed America’s first women’s podium at a WCS event.  After all her hardship, after all of her misfortune, Sarah steps up to the podium and proves that she is a legitimate medal contender for next year’s Olympic games.  It just goes to show, never let up on your dreams.  Never let setbacks deter you from your goals.  You must keep your head held high, and take things one day at a time.  Sarah, only a few months ago, could not even go for an easy jog without immense pain.  But that did not stop her, it did not dissuade her, and last Sunday she was able to run herself into the record books.  We can all learn something from Sarah, from her grit, resolve, and willpower to overcome and succeed.  It is all too easy to give up when things aren’t working in your favor, but it is exactly those times of hardship where champions are born- as they rise above the tribulation to glory.

Until next time, truely in admiration

Ben