Published January 17, 2012 12:41
By Claire Van Rooi
Tara Solomon, 30, from Stellenbosch had entered the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa last year but was sadly involved in an accident only five days before the race when a car hit her whilst cycling. Solomon had an operation in which steel pins were inserted into her clavicle which all but ended her ambition of competing in 2011. This iron-willed lady, however, has demonstrated determination and unequalled comeback ability. She has prepared and is now ready to participate in the 2012 Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa.
Born in Cape Town, Solomon grew up in Stellenbosch where she attended Rhenish Girls High School and started competing seriously in short distance athletics events at the age of 14. In Stellenbosch it was easy for her to centre her life on athletics and she started half marathons at the age of 24 and triathlons at 27.
Solomon’s parents play a large part in her motivation to participate in Ironman 70.3 South Africa. She says: “Last year my parents planned to support me at the race. When I had my accident five days prior to leaving, they still drove me up so that I could support the race - much against the doctors will. This year, I was very excited to have them there to watch me compete; however, my mom was diagnosed with cancer in December and is currently in hospital so they won’t be there. But I am determined to make her proud in the race. She is keeping me motivated.”
Solomon cuts out wheat and limits her fruit consumption whilst increasing her iron intake before a race. She trains six days a week. Mostly twice a day. She includes weight training, does a lot of core work and stretching and enjoys doing yoga as part of her preparation. She trains for one and a half hours in the morning and one to two hours in the afternoon after work because she feels it is necessary to train twice a day in order to train in all three disciplines of Ironman 70.3.
This iron-lady’s favourite discipline is swimming as it is the one discipline she has no previous hang-ups about and swimming has become her strength. She has a great coach, Ian Waddle, who offers her a much personalised training programme and she never has to wonder if she is doing the right thing or enough training as he does all the calculations for her and she can place her trust in him. She does a lot of cycling as she feels this is her weakest discipline.
Solomon says, “You can be a great athlete, but if you don’t have the mental capacity to push yourself through uncomfortable and tough moments, you won’t be a finisher. Stay humble, you race for yourself and not for anyone else!” Her advice to aspiring participants is that once one has decided to do it one should commit and persevere. “The training is a journey and you must want it! All things are possible!”
Solomon’s situation can be used to encourage other athletes to rise above their circumstances and she feels that a time comes when all participants are faced with wanting to quit and many perfect excuses present themselves. That is the time to persevere. We will all be looking out for this iron lady at the finish line, as a person with such grit and determination is a fine example for all of us to follow.
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