Turning Rehab Into Training

Every year someone’s story and their personal achievement over difficult circumstances touches us at the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

In April this year Auckland mother, full-time shift worker and multi-sports woman Claudine Gillies was injured, recovering from back surgery and facing the possibility of never playing sports again.  Wanting to be a positive role model, and to prove that no matter what life throws at her she’ll live it to the max, Claudine set herself the goal of riding 160km around Lake Taupo on 29th November.

“I saw my back op recovery as a great chance to turn rehab into training,” says Claudine. “I’d never cycled before and knew there would be plenty of challenges not just medical ones - it’s not easy to fit training around family and work commitments.”

In spite of physical setbacks and having to get the all clear from physios and surgeons on 6 November Claudine was fit and ready to register for the Bike Barn Solo.

“It’s not in my nature to give up, and training for the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge has meant making some wonderful new friends along the way.

“Doing things you enjoy makes you feel good and it’s great to inspire others – we can all get out of our comfort zone and be tested,” she says.

Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Event Director Kay Brake says Claudine’s story is motivating.

“It’s a great part of my job to discover and share uplifting stories like this,” she says.

Claudine is now back swimming and slow jogging and after completing her circuit of Lake Taupo plans to set a new goal of triathlon.

You can find out all you need about the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge at www.cyclechallenge.com.