International Spartan racer doesn’t slow down
FROM joining a bootcamp with her daughter to now becoming a leading Australian representative in Spartan races, Melanie Currey held the Australian flag while competing in Iceland in 2018.
She says qualifying for the 24hour worldwide race in Iceland was an honour, pleased she got the opportunity to run through the paddocks and meet the Vikings in -10 degrees Celsius.
“It was an incredibly unique experience and definitely my proudest achievement,” she said.
Melanie told Dubbo Photo News that climate is the most challenging part as the first year she competed in Iceland there were blizzards and hail and when she competed in Sweden the race was on a ski slope, so it was high elevation and thin air.
The favourite country she competed in? Mongolia.
“You realise in the Western world that we’ve lost so much appreciation for many things,” she continued, saying that people with so little are so generous and kind.
The pandemic has contributed to a hiatus in Spartan tournaments, but Melanie has stayed motivated throughout those empty years.
“Motivation is about routine and discipline, and it is vital to continue that routine, even if other things are getting in the way,” she explained, revealing that through training there are elements that people have control over.
“COVID has been really difficult as I had nothing to work towards, but I know that I need to consume a healthy diet and a good wellbeing to get back on track,” she said, sharing that her biggest motivators are her grandchildren who love hearing about her overseas ventures.
“I want to be a good role model for my grandchildren and show them that they can follow their dreams and I want them to be proud of me."
Melanie was awarded the 2020 Australian sportsperson in Dubbo and says it was an honour knowing all the quality athletes there are in the city.
Now she's looking forward to the Australian Spartan title race she's been training for, which is in a few weeks.
To help with her training and keeping her accountable, Melanie tells Dubbo Photo News that she has a coach who has helped her mind-wellness throughout the pandemic.
Adding to her challenges, she's recently had a moonboot removed which was in place to help heals stress fractures which occurred while training on different surfaces and terrains.
“It was really difficult with the restrictions of limiting time outside and closing gyms so I had to use what I could for training – the change was tough on my body,
“I’m very excited for the competition, but I know there will be a lot of work ahead,” she said.