Tough Times - Neils Blog - Part 5

Hello again.

I have struggled with this blog and by a long way it has been the hardest one to write to date.

The problem is that I messed up a lift and damaged the ligaments in my wrist which meant I ended up in A&E. That was ten weeks ago and although it's gotten better it’s been a very long and slow process. I have tried to write this blog so many times but it always came across as negative and I'm sure nobody wants to read something like that.

To be honest the last two months have been horrible for me. I could train but there were many things I couldn't do. My motivation was lost and I have to say there were times when I felt like giving it all up and calling it a day. I firmly believe that if I didn't train at Connect I probably would have quit.

The support and help that I received was amazing. Members lending me equipment to help recovery, coaches writing special workouts for me that didn't use my wrist. I have learnt (along with 'get your technique right') that if you do any sort of sport you are likely to get injured at some point and it's how you cope with that that makes you stronger within yourself.

There's been a lot of running lately!

Well that's enough about my problems. Let me fill you in on the rest of the family. Madi has not been training at Connect as much as she would like as she has had school athletics and has been selected to represent the region at the national trampolining finals in Exeter. There is a limit to how much even Madi can cram in! She did very well in the athletics and in the trampolining she won a bronze medal in her age group which was an amazing achievement.

Sarah finished her Paleo challenge and lost over two kilos in weight and two inches off her waist which was a great result for all the hard work she put in. Her training is coming on in leaps and bounds but she has found it hard to get down as much during the summer holidays as she would like so we have had some grumpy faces!

Both she and Madi took part in a competition that was held at Connect. They hold one every few weeks, just for members, and it's mixed in with a bit of a social as well. It's a nice way for new members to get involved alongside more experienced members. They are always good fun and I have to say it was the scene of one of the strangest conversations I have witnessed; Madi and another …. How can I word this …? Let’s say ‘mature male competitor’ discussing loom bands! What they have made, how frustrating it is when one breaks midway through etc. Absolutely fantastic. It’s things like that - for me - that make Connect stand out. Everyone is involved, no matter who you are, whether you have been going for five years or five months, it really doesn't matter.

Madi repping out some med ball slams at the In-House Throwdown recently.

Leo has been his normal self, coming down playing on whatever he can and leaving little chalky handprints everywhere! Again, he is always made to feel welcome and loves coming down.

At one of the recent events one of the owners spent a good half an hour playing with him doing magic tricks. There may have been a motive for it as David wanted a sweet from Leo but never the less it was great to see that Leo is as welcome as anyone. (David did get a sweet in the end!)

One last thing, we have had a letter from the NHS saying that Leo is overweight. He got weighed and measured at school and based purely on the outdated BMI scale it said he was overweight and it required a letter home. This annoyed us greatly as this is so far from the truth its ridiculous. The leaflet about becoming a more active family also amused us! If anyone has any ideas on how we can do this then please get in touch! (Yes, I’m being a bit sarcastic!)

That's all folks, till next time.

CONNECT – more than ever, THE place to train!

Photos by permission of RXd Photography (https://www.facebook.com/rxdphotography)