Media 2009...
Never Idle...
While not racing, Sara found the perfect spot to focus her energies. If you missed the December issue of Triathlete Magazine, you can catch the article here. It features the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida, and Sara McLarty --
"Further demonstrating its commitment to multisport, the NTC recently hired ITU standout Sara McLarty to build a number of triathlon-specific-programs. McLarty has already set up a camp for tri-newbies on Jan. 17-18, as well as a train-with-the-pros camp on Feb. 14-15. Athletes attending the February camp will have the opportunity to train under the guidance of McLarty and a number of other professional triathletes for a weekend. Every athlete in the camp will receive free entry to Florida's Great Escape Triathlon, held in Clermont on Feb. 15.
Not ony does McLarty work at the NTC, she uses the facilities on a daily basis.
'When I moved back to Clermont, I made it my number one priority that my house be within a mile of the NTC', McLarty says. 'I spend that much time there.'" Triathletemag.com December 2008
Unexpected Lift
Not the normal media fair, but one with lasting effect, making all the hard work, crazy training, and long days worth every second!
A very special email...January 6, 2009
Sara - I felt compelled to go onto your website and get your e-mail because I wanted to pay my highest compliments to your writing style and obvious teaching talent. I have great respect for all that you have accomplished to date and your sacrifices and dedication required to achieve it all. I hope that you keep publishing. In this growing triathlon industry-- you seem to be very well positioned to shine yourself and to positively affect others with whom you coach and race. My very best of luck and continued success.
Sara's response: Thanks so much for the kind words. I will continue to have success as long as I am able to motivate or inspire people through the sport of triathlon!
National Training Center New Year's Festival
Clermont, FL ( Jan. 3, 2009 ) A fun day of at the National Training Center in Clermont.
Motivating, training and encouraging athletes provides Sara with a deep sense of fulfillment. Working at the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida gives her ample opportunity to exercise her skills in developing training programs, coaching athletes, and coordinating events.
Photo Gallery... View
Back In Action
After a difficult time with a problem foot that finally required pause from racing, Sara found relief through surgery on October 13, 2008. For those who may have wondered why Sara dipped below the horizon, below is a re-post of a release she posted on her blog in October. Sara divulges the added pain she experienced during the endurable pain of training and racing, and her expectations for full recovery following the pain of surgery.
To all my Family, Friends, Supporters, and Fans:
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement over the past 14 months as I have struggled with the biggest set-back of my athletic career -- a painful and aggravating foot injury. It was extremely unlucky that I was in pain and unable to train and race at such a critical time in an Olympic quad. Not qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games was disappointing, but just not being able to train for a decent finish at the Trials races was extremely frustrating.
During the past year (2008), I have reasonably attempted all the popular (and unpopular) treatment methods for my condition. Nothing was able to cure the injury or alleviate the symptoms. Eventually, I decided to take a mental and physical break for two months to allow my mind and body to rest, heal and recover.
At the end of August, I was eager to start training and I even went for a couple of short jogs. I was very disappointed when my foot started hurting after just four short runs on the grass. I finally realized that it was time to take the next step and research an invasive procedure to remedy my foot pain.
A few days later, I was on the pool deck when my swim coach introduced me to the father of a swim teammate. Dr. Funk is a Foot and Ankle Orthopedic surgeon in Orlando. He sat down with me on the pool deck for 30 minutes and gave me more information and better answers than I had ever received. Not only is he a specialist for my specific injury, he's a triathlete and marathoner!
I could not be any happier and confident about the procedures that Dr. Funk is going to perform on my left foot at 7:00 a.m. on the morning of Monday, October 13th. I honestly believe that my career as a triathlete would be over if I could not find a solution for the pain. This has given me hope that I will be back on the starting line to give some of the best athletes in the world a run for their money !
The recovery time is very short…after just two weeks I can get back in the pool and walk in sneakers! Around six weeks I should be able to start jogging lightly and all the reports say that full activity is allowed at just three months! Perfect timing for the 2009 season!
I will continue to post updates on my blog and I promise to write a great story about my surgery experience as soon as I am awake and coherent (the Doc tells me I'm getting 'happy drugs')! If anyone has any questions, I will answer the best I can. Thank you all for your continuing support!
Later Gators,
Sara McLarty
