Namita Nayyar:
At the 2007 Hawaii Ironman, you hit a cone on the bike leg and injured yourself. At the same race in 2006, stomach problems nearly caused you to drop out but you continued. In 2014 a car hit you from behind while training in Gran Canaria. In your long journey of many years in completing the Ironman Triathlon these unfortunate mishaps, accidents must have caused you major setbacks, but “Swiss Miss” came back as a much stronger winner. Tell us what has been the catalyst of your remarkable comeback and what is your advice to other fellow athletes who encounter such sports-related injuries so as to make a stronger comeback?
Natascha Badmann:
The 2007 accident was the most brutal one, as it brought me from my highest point (I broke the world record previously this year and was in the best shape of my life) to zero. I couldn’t use my arms/hands to wipe my tears and I thought I’d lost everything….. Until the moment I realized I actually had everything. Also, the medical prognosis was that I’d never been able to swim again I knew my mind will believe what I want it to. So I started to swim in my mind. And to make the story short: I went back to the Ironman in Kona and 5 years later again finished in the professional field in the top ten. I finished in 6th and it was as valuable as the previous wins to me.
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Natascha Badmann:
Oh, there are so many exercises and things that I guess it would be enough to full a book, Over 30 years there is such an accumulation of knowledge in Toni’s training planning. We both saw much that works and much that doesn’t. Probably the wisest thing I can share is: set your goal and be smart. Train smart. Listen to your body. You only have one!
Disclaimer
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