Natasha Wodak

Be Brave

By InnerVoice

August 12^th, 2016

I wanted to give up.

The 10,000 metres is 25 laps of the track. It’s about 31-32 minutes of running. There is a lot of time to think. There is a lot of time to hurt. And trust me, it hurts. In the times when it gets really tough I have to focus very hard and often repeat phrases in my head:

“Yes you can.” “Do not give up.” “Be strong.” “You can do this.” “Push push push.”

I do my best to push all negative thoughts out of my head and just continue to repeat the positive thoughts. Earlier this year, I got ‘be brave’ tattooed on my wrist. It’s a reminder for when I start hurting in my races.

There have been plenty of tough times away from running, too. I have dealt with some depression and struggled to stay in the sport. I wanted to give up. It was too hard. Too much pressure. I kept thinking negative things; ‘you’re not good enough’, ‘you’re selfish’, and many other sad thoughts. They’re just thoughts, but they can be debilitating. I quit racing for 3 years between 2006 and 2009, but my passion for the sport never died. I came back to it with a renewed love. I am 34 years old now and making my first Olympic team. I’ve gotten through the tough times with the support of my friends and family.

Without them I would have given up a long time ago. Through sport I have learned to push out negative thoughts and only think positively. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned to do it. Meditation and yoga have also helped.

It's not easy getting over a shattered heart.

Fortunately I’ve never had someone very close to me pass away. However, there was a death in another way - the death of my marriage. Getting divorced in 2013 was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. For almost a year I struggled just to get through each day. I was beyond sad. I didn’t think I would ever be happy again, ever love again, ever feel okay again. Running gave me some relief, but still the sadness remained. I hung on tight to my friends and family, began seeing a therapist, and eventually the pain started to subside. It took a long time to get over my divorce. But I sit here today, 3 and a half years later, about to race at the Olympics – and I’m as happy as I’ve ever been.

I learned so much from my divorce. I learned how to deal with sadness and how to be brave. It’s not easy getting over a shattered heart. But you have to be strong. I’ve taken that into my running; you need courage, you need to be strong. These are traits I never really had before and I now know that if I can get through divorce, I can get through anything!

Her unfettering support and love is inspiring.

I’m inspired daily by many of the amazing people in my life. One of my very best friends since I was 4 years old, Marilyn, is a true inspiration to me. No matter what happens in her life, no matter how tough times may get, she stays positive. She loves unconditionally to all that are close to her. She makes me a better person; a more loving, kind, understanding, patient, positive person. Marilyn has never competed in track and field, but has always supported me. Her unfettering support and love is inspiring.

I have made many amazing friends through running.

I have made many amazing friends through running and they are friendships that will last long after I’m done running. There are many highs and lows with racing. Everyone is always there to celebrate the good races, but it’s the bad ones that show who your true friends are. The support, encouragement and love I’ve received from some of my friends (and my family, always!) has made our relationships so strong. I’m incredibly lucky to have some of the very best friends in the whole world! And, I am so happy to have been able to share my Olympic journey with them.

Today is your day, Tash. You are T-FIERCE!!!!

In 10k racing, you need focus and patience. Many people think racing, especially at a high level, you just get out there and go as hard as you can right from the gun. But if you do that in the 10k you will never finish! I’ve learned to hold back; be patient, stay calm, and focus on the process of the race. It’s something that I take into my everyday life, too.

5 minutes before race time, I start to talk to myself and it’s all motivational. “You are fit and ready. You have done the work. You are prepared in every way possible. Now is the time to be strong. You must be brave. You must not give up. You can do this. Today is your day, Tash. You are T-FIERCE!!!!”