We’ve had a busy month with lots of different themes for our fun football sessions including Space, Monsters and the Jubilee!
All whilst having an injured ankle from coaching my Grassroots team at AFC Urmston Meadowside. Thankfully the x-ray has confirmed no fracture and just a bruised bone. Advised to ice and REST it which is a word that’s not usually associated with me.
My friends have nicknamed me Pocket Rocket due to my height and high energy nature… my enthusiasm for adventure and fitness stems from 29 years ago. When I was 11 years old I got an illness called Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome’ also known as M.E. I spent 2.5 years of my life unable to walk without the aid of a wheel chair or crutches. Not many people know this about me but the fact I spent this time being poorly has shaped me in to the person I am today, giving me my drive and energy for life. No challenge will get in my way!
I had hours of physiotherapy, I had to learn how to walk again and my reflexes and muscles were shot. I was 4 stone at the age of 12 year old. My circulation was so bad my mum had to put me in an ice cold bath to get my circulation to kick in. After having numerous relapses and finally being able to walk unaided – well it was so exhilarating that I took on challenges I’d never have thought of … abseiling down Manchester Town Hall & a Dam (all for charity of course), night school to prove that my time out of school wouldn’t hold me back from achieving in Credit Management and finally running!
In Oct 2015 I started my running journey alone ready to take on my first ever 10k in May 2016. I’ve always loved the gym & hiking but running wasn’t on my radar and I wanted a challenge and so I began training in cold & wet conditions. Despite it being a challenge to get up & out on my own I persisted. Then in April before my 10K I damaged my knee and was advised by a physiotherapist not to run the 10k. At this point I’d raised £410 as sponsorship to a charity close to my heart – Cystic Fibrosis Trust. There was no way I wasn’t doing the 10k!
I iced my knee & rested as best I could, I’ve never felt so nervous in my life but I managed to run the Manchester 10k in 1 hour 13 seconds. I cried when I stepped over the finish line.
So when an injury occurs all that fear and anxiety tries to resurface, thankfully my Grandma Florence taught me that “worrying solves nowt”. I’ve listened to my body, I’ve rested and I’m on the path to being injury free. Coaching football is a massive part of my life both here at Kick it 4 Kids and Meadowside and I’m so grateful to I have the opportunity to coach and develop our young footballers.
Have a wonderful Whit Hols.
Coach Rachel
⚽️🌈 💛 🐝
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