Mental Fortitude!
Published: 13th December 2006
Author: Words by Stephen Sword Photo by
What doesn’t break you makes you stronger and although Swordy’s got a long way to go physically, mentally he’s fighting fit…
Just after I wrote last month’s column I headed up to my homeland in Scotland. It was my first time up there since my crash and I was long overdue a nice bit of haggis! Now I know haggis isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but being from Scotland I was brought up on it from an early age. I like it for breakfast grilled on toast or in a sandwich with a little tomato ketchup. Sounds disgusting but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
So I enjoyed a few days up there just chilling out with my brother and visiting a few people. When I had my accident back in May and was in hospital my granna passed away which meant I was unable to go to the funeral so Jodie and I took some flowers up there one afternoon.
The injury is progressing and I’m continuing with training to build my leg back to full strength. As I said in last month’s column I had the pin and plates removed so had to rest it for a few weeks but now I’m walking slowly and I’m able to go out mountainbiking which helps a lot with the healing.
It’s going to be January when I get back on a bike. I’m mentally ready for that but need to get my leg really strong and get my fitness at a good level. I think it is very important for anyone coming back from a big injury not to come back too early – and when you do come back make sure you’re stronger and fitter. I’m a firm believer in that a strong body makes a stronger mind and what doesn’t break you makes you stronger. You have to feed off the negatives and turn them into positives. I’ve had to do this a lot over the last seven months and as a result I feel a lot stronger in my mind than I was before I had my accident.
I say this in my column every month and I’m going to say it again. I’m so looking forward to throwing my leg over the bike again. I haven’t even sat on one or started one up since the beginning of May. My whole career I have never gone that long without riding a motorcycle – it’s quite a shock to the system I can tell you. But this is a good thing as it will make it that much sweeter when I do ride again!
My plan for this winter is to do a lot of training with Dave Thorpe. I’ve known Dave for many years and have a good relationship with him. He’s taught me a lot about training and about how to prepare myself mentally at a high level. Dave has been in similar situations to me throughout his career and knows how to bounce back from injuries. But one of the best things about Dave is that he is always willing to listen and if you give him 100 per cent he will give 110 per cent back.
After training in the mornings I’ve been getting out to play some golf. My old mate from Wooton-Under-Edge Brian ‘Spud’ Wheeler was down my way so we met up for a round. Of course, the usual rules applied – the loser pays for the food and drinks after. And I’m pleased to say I came out on top and rubbed salt well into Spud’s wounds afterwards! I also went to the cinema with a few mates to watch the new Bond film Casino Royale. I loved it and thought the new guy playing Bond was excellent. I could easily sit down and watch all the Bond films one after another.
Last weekend the Poole and Parkstone club kindly asked me to do the prizegiving at their presentation evening which was being held at a country park just outside Ringwood. Jodie and I were both made very welcome and we really enjoyed the evening and caught up with some old faces I haven’t seen for a while.
I know it’s a bit early but Jodie has got the Christmas tree and all the decorations down ready to start decorating. Looks like it’s going to be a busy day for me putting up fairy lights…
Well, that wraps up another month from me so I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas. Have a good one!