Louise Butterworth back with a spring in her step

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/sport ... ticle.html


Pole vaulter Louise Butterworth back with a spring in her step

By Chris Rogers Crogers@Heraldexpress.co.uk

AFTER enduring a nightmare year that left her on the verge of quitting the sport, Torbay pole vaulter Louise Butterworth is hoping a new training environment will provide a fresh start for 2011.

Butterworth, 25, was left devastated when an inconsistent start to the season resulted in her missing out on selection for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The Birchfield Harriers athlete, originally from Paignton, was so disillusioned and upset with her form that she decided to leave her Cardiff base and work abroad for the rest of the summer.

"I was having some problems taking off which was knocking my confidence," said Butterworth.


"I started the outdoor season on a short run-up to help increase my confidence, which worked really well.

"However when I started to take my run-up back to my full approach, 14 strides, these problems arose again.

"Competition after competition I was finishing with a poor result, and I was getting into a destructive pattern and doubting myself and my pole vaulting.

"I then started to resent my sport — which I hated, as it is my life.

"My main target and focus for 2010 was the Commonwealth Games and not making the team was the tip of the iceberg — it destroyed me.

"Having three of my training partners plus my coach making the team hit me hard.

"So I decided to take myself away from anything that reminded me of pole vaulting and went to Crete for two months to work."

Butterworth's London 2012 aspirations helped her become the first inductee into the Torbay Olympians Fund two years ago.

Since then, she has also been named in Birchfield Harriers' 12 For 12 scheme to identify and nurture Olympic potential.

Now back in the UK, a refreshed Butterworth is planning a switch to Loughborough, where she will return to training alongside British No.1 Kate Dennison.

She said her time in Crete played a vital role in helping to clear her head and rediscover her passion for pole vaulting.

"It allowed me to have some time to myself and meet some new people," she explained.

"I had a great experience and learned a lot. It also kept me so busy that I didn't think about pole vaulting.

"But now I am back and I've decided to give it one more shot.

"My coach has a new job in Loughborough, so myself and a small group of athletes from my current training group are moving to Loughborough to train full-time.

"We will also be training with Kate Dennison, and training in the best sporting environment possible.

"I am looking forward to a fresh new start and the chance to prove myself.

"I lost a lot of belief in myself as a pole vaulter, but also as a person.

"I let things get to me and take over, and I now know how to get myself around these problems.

"I'm still picking up the pieces of last year and right now, although I still believe it is possible, I'm not specifically targeting the 2012 Olympics.

"I'm now focusing on the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It's four years away, so I have time to get back on my feet and achieve what I need to.

"If other things happen on the way, such as European Championships, then great.

"I'm really happy now I have sat down with my coach and planned ahead.

"I have a target and a path I have to follow. Things are definitely looking up."

[Polevaulter2012]

I can really relate to this! Good article!