Ultra marathon new challenge for Mary
Mary Fisher, the paralympic multi-medalist and world record holder, is unsure what her swimming future holds.
And, in the meantime, the 23-year-old champion of the pool is preparing for a different athletic challenge.
The partially blind university student will tackle the 87km Tawarewa Ultra Marathon in February.
‘‘I`m going to have a good time and enjoy the outdoors,’’ Fisher said.
‘‘I’m just looking forward to that challenge because for the last six years everything has been focussed on swimming.’’
The former Heretaunga College student is without a coach following the return to Sydney of Jon Shaw, para-swimming’s head coach.
After time in Auckland in the lead up to the Rio Olympics, Fisher is back in Wellington.
Swimming has made her feel confident and more engaged. ’’You can do stuff with the right support and the right mind-set,’’ she said.
The Silverstream-raised Fisher was born with aniridia, a rare genetic condition resulting in low vision which deteriorated as a teenager.
‘‘I really appreciate the sight I did have but it is hard as a teenager to go through that,’’ she said.
‘‘As my sight got worse, I had to learn to use a cane and read braille which made me different from my peers. Swimming was the equaliser for me.’’
The Tawarewa Ultra Marathon challenge is from Rotorua to Kawerau on trails and forestry roads through the Tarawera Forest.
Fisher will have some guides including her friend and Access at Life Unlimited Charitable Trust general manager Catherine Bennett
When not training for the new challenge of the ultra marathon, Fisher is happy catching up with friends and Upper Hutt family.
She is also keen to get back to a mbira group she was in before the temporary move to Auckland. Mbira, a Zimbabwean thumb piano, had a relaxing timbre and was played softly.
Fisher, a New Zealand Order of Merit recipient, represented New Zealand at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympics in London and Rio de Janeiro with the combined medal success of two golds, two silvers and a bronze.