We arrived in Christchurch, NZ on Sunday the 6^th of January, having so much equipment (30 wheelchairs and a few spare legs), it took us a while to finally get on the bus and head to our hotel.

The first few days in Christchurch the weather was great: 25 to 30 degrees but the weather from day to day changed, raining and windy one minute and sunny and still the next.

I was lucky enough to train on the main track a few times before I competed and got a  good understanding of where we would compete and the conditions of the track.

We had such a great team that headed over to New Zealand and I made some great friends leading up to the games so it was great getting to be with them and train with them. We had breakfast lunch and dinner at the hotel – always eating together, the food was great but when it’s a three day cycle you got sick of it pretty quickly!

My first event on the track was my long jump, I had competed only a few times in long jump leading up to NZ so I really didn’t know how I would go at an international level. I was going in ranked second but was up against the world record holder Venessa Low who was the only woman to jump over 4 meters. Her WR was 4.12m.

My first jump was pretty big and I was happy with it but knew if I wanted to secure a safe spot in the top three I needed to jump a lot bigger. In training leading up to NZ I knew I was jumping near 4m, but wasn’t exactly sure. For my second jump, I focused on everything my coach had told me to remember in run up and jump and it all came together really well: I jumped a new WR of 4.19 and was in the lead!

My next jump was just as big but slipped on the board and went head first straight into the pit, it was really quite funny. My next few jumps weren’t as big but the other girls had not jumped over 4m to so I was anxiously watching their jumps, waiting for somebody to jump further than me. But nobody did and on my last jump I knew I had won and just jumped the best I could. I really was so shocked that I had won gold but also set a new WR, I couldn’t get the smile off my face and neither could my coach.

My family had come over and my mum wouldn’t stop crying or hugging me! But I had to give them a quick hello and race to my medal ceremony which I was so excited for. Being up on the dais was so amazing and seeing my teammates all cheering and chanting “C’mon Aussise, lets go!” made me so proud and happy!

I had a day’s rest before my 100m on the 25^th. The 100 is my main event so I was a lot more nervous and knew my running partner Michelle Errichiello (world record holder for the 100m) would be my greatest rival.

The week before NZ I had competed in Sydney breaking the world record (16.31) running a 15.97 but because of the very nice tail wind the run did not count.

I have to admit I was very nervous waiting at the start line getting introduced, it was anyone’s race and having not competed internationally for a while, I hadn’t had the experience I wish I had. I became unsteady and distracted from the long jump pit when I got on my blocks so I raised my hand and the starter let us re-position ourselves. I was so nervous about breaking after that, because you don’t get a second chance: one false start and you’re out!

I didn’t get the start I wanted as I reacted slowly to the gun but it was better than breaking I say! Everyone got out in front of me and after about 20m I knew I had to run them down if I wanted to win.

So I did and once I started overtaking the others I really started to run it out strong, and finished the race first with a new Championship record of 16.47. It would have been nice to break the WR but it wasn’t to be and I had a very slow start so that is something I can work on.

Another medal ceremony and singing the national anthem really made my last competition day one to remember  and to know I was coming home with two golds and World Record was absolutely amazing!

I went to the track everyday after that to support and cheer on the rest of my teammates – they all performed so well and we came home with 8 gold medals!

I’m so happy with my performance and now have my sights set on London. It was great seeing what I will be up against and having the experience under my belt, hopefully I can get 18 months of uninterrupted training before London and be at my best!

Just thought you would all like to know my hair is orange and bleached blonde! but don’t worry I’m getting it all fixed tonight! Bit of  stuff up at a new hairdresses! hahaha

Anyway training is great, being back on the track is so good and I’m keeping up with it all pretty well, world champs is just around the corner so its so exciting and so daunting knowing I haven’t got much time to train since the op!

The weather has been so good to train in, but not looking forward to the wicked weather this weekend!

Have a great weekend! ?

So the Paralympic awards have been and gone and it was such a fantastic night! Like I said it was such a great opportunity to catch up with people I haven’t seen for awhile and also recognise those great athletes who competed at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics!

The highlight of my night would have to be watching great footage of the very first Paralympians who competed in the 1950s paralympics in Greece, also meeting them was great! They couldn’t get over how things have changed!

But the biggest thing that has happened in the last two weeks for me  is that I finally have my running leg! I have been running for a week now and so far pain free! I mean I have aches and pains in muscles that I haven’t used in a long time but other than that it’s been so good! Taking it a bit easy for now getting used to it again!

World Champs is not far off! I am getting a bit excited and of course a bit nervous!

But bring it on! ?

Well what a great week! It’s so good to be walking again! I am now walking without crutches and without the pain!

I cant wait to get my running leg, which looks like its only 2 weeks away! My gym programs have been pretty intense preparing me for the track but I have never missed the track so much than I have lately, knowing how close I am and knowing how close World Champs are!

Monday I am flying to Sydney for the Paralympic awards and I am very much looking forward to that! Catching up with some of the athletes who went to Dehli and also its a chance to catch up with everyone that I dont get to see very often!

I’ll report back to you and let you know how it went next week!

Keep smiling