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Denise and Lucy's Blog - GB womens team

Its the start of the FIVB beach volleyball season for Lucy and I. Unfortunately, its a bit delayed because of a knee injury that happened while sprinting. If it was up to me, I would've played through the season as it was. Luckily I had some sensible opinions from a few doctors who all assured me I wouldn't make it half way through the tour. Therefore, I had the surgery immediately which meant missing the tournament in Australia for the start of the tour in March. That was extremely difficult for Lucy and I to deal with, but I think its also added a little bit of fire under our belts to compete.

The surgery was so fast - less than an hour. They did an arthoscopy which meant only cutting into 2 points into the front of the knee. When I woke up after the surgery, the only thing that hurt was the I.V. in my hand and all I can remember is the anesthetic stinging up my arm. I couldn't believe that I could walk straight out of the hospital. Jody my boyfriend was so sweet and took me to the hospital at 6:00 am even though he had to fly to Australia the same day.

After passing a series of exams on my knee 1 week from the surgery, the doctor let me fly out to Australia for rehab in a warmer climate . It was good for my moral because the whole british beach volleyball squad was already there and being on the beach is much more cheery than the cold winter weather of Bath. I got to catch up with my parents who flew over from the states and, since my boyfriend is on the team, I also got to spend time with him when he wasn't training or competing. It was the first showing of the year for the GB beach teams and sadly it wasn't too successful. Although there were some close games, all teams lost in the first round of the tournament. Since its single elimination, that was end of the road.

Its a cut-throat qualification process we have ahead of us and everyone's trying like mad to qualify for Beijing. To prepare, Lucy and I have been training non-stop with coach Matt Grinlaubs this off-season. We were in the gym 4 times a week, doing cardio 3 times a week and at our peak, on the sand 8 times a week. We've worked with massage therapists, physios, strength and conditioning coaches, yoga teachers and a sports psychologist. We've even been training against men to try and prepare. We've endured a hectic schedule. Its such a frustration to get this injury setback. Four weeks have passed since the surgery and I'm just now participating in full training sessions on the sand. I've never experienced an injury like this and let me tell you, it was painful to watch everyone else competing in Australia. But, we'll get our chance in Shanghai at the end of April. I can't wait!