Tenacious teen with heart races to prove the critics wrong
19 October 2009
After a serious broken leg left Georgia Ellis bed ridden for more than six months, she is now making a welcome return to the active world of sport, competing - for the first time - in the adidas Auckland Marathon as a Heart Racer.
The youngest competitor of the event, Georgia (14), a Kristin School student, is determined to prove the critics wrong - that it is possible to overcome a serious injury and compete in a big race.
She says, "A lot of people break their legs, I'm running in this event to prove to other kids that it is possible to get back on your feet after you've hurt yourself."
Heart Racers raise money for the Heart Foundation by competing in an official sporting event such as a marathon. Supporters who sponsor Heart Racers like Stacey help the Foundation to continue its work of funding heart research, advancing cardiac rehabilitation and promoting heart healthy lifestyles.
Unfortunately cardiovascular disease – which includes heart disease and stroke – is still the biggest killer of New Zealanders, accounting for 40% of all deaths annually. Tragically, many of these deaths are premature and preventable.
Georgia became a Heart Racer after seeing it in the marathon e-newsletter.
"I looked at the Heart Foundation website and saw all the cool things they work towards. So, I signed up. It also means I'm doing my run for something more than just myself."
For Georgia, previously a keen competitor in triathlons and an avid swimmer, lying in bed gave her plenty of time to think about future goals.
When Georgia's Mum, who has competed in a few marathons in the past, floated her idea of running in the quarter marathon event, but was nervous about running it alone, Georgia decided that was a good enough reason to try to fast-track her recovery routine.
"I really wanted to support my Mum. Part of the reason I'm running in the event is to help her get back into running. She used to run full marathons but hasn't done it for a while, she's been working full time and also injured her ACL. I want to make sure she doesn't quit!"
Preparing for the her first major race, the Quarter Marathon, since her injury last year, she has had, support from all fronts.
"It's so amazing what my family and friends have done. They all believe in me, they are really positive and are encouraging me to go for it!"
A training program prepared by her Dad's friend saw Georgia build up her muscles and stamina gradually on the cross trainer and in circuit training, making sure she didn't over exercise, before she hit the Devonport pavements.
"The focus was on building up fitness, building up the core, learning warm up exercises, using the cross trainer, circuit training. The aim was to build up my fitness before I attempted a 5km run."
In the final weeks before the adidas Auckland Marathon event takes place on November 1st, Georgia can be seen training on the Northhead waterfront and among the Devonport volcanoes, determined to succeed.
