Three Weeks to Go: Sweat and excitement

So here we are: another Friday. And not just any Friday... we're exactly three weeks out from go-time. The challenge is looming large, plans are locking in, some are still shuffling around in “negotiation limbo,” and excitement is bubbling over. I’m carrying the race to the Rugby World Cup whistle, and trust me, this is no ordinary wheel in the park.

Someone asked if I was nervous. Honestly? Not really. Not in the way people think. I don’t get pre-race jitters... I get “admin avalanches” and hormonal flare-ups. I’ve learned to treat these big, scary things like a long string of training sessions. One day at a time. Zooming out too far makes it look like Everest. Zoom in, and it’s just… the next step. But let’s not pretend I’m skipping through all this with unicorns and glitter. The old friend I didn’t invite landed... Impostor Syndrome... is back. Louder than before, thanks to how things unraveled during the last challenge. It’s one thing to face a physical mountain, another to be made to feel like you’re not even worthy of the climb. A couple of voices from that time have stayed with me, and not in the helpful “I believe in you” kind of way.

Still, I’ve got amazing humans in my corner now. They remind me of the truth on days when my brain is feeling spicy and unhelpful. Even then, it’s funny how your mind latches onto the negative stuff like it’s on a mission to sabotage you. And yet – here I am, glad to be still standing (well, wobbling on one leg!), still training, still pushing forward.

On the sparkling silver lining side... ChildFund Rugby and the Women’s Rugby World Cup team have been nothing short of epic. They’ve worked miracles to open doors I didn’t even know existed, and oh, they’re designing me my own kit. My own kit. With my name, the World Cup logo, and ChildFund Rugby. I'm basically weeping into my protein shake over it! The design... amazing! I literally cant wait to wear it. Sarah Massey and the LOC team have doen such a fantastic job. And Childfund-rugby... Wow! Superheroes. I just hope I do them justice, and manage to fundraise a good amount this year!

Training this week has been a cocktail of humidity, rain, chronic pain, and fatigue. Picture this: 4 am, out on the tarmac, sweating like I’m back in the Bahamas (which sounds glamorous, but minus the beach, it’s just wet and sticky cardio). My chronic pain has been ramped up thanks to my ever-charming hormones, which seem to be operating on a “surprise!” schedule. Add to that a sleep deficit, some heavy admin, an upcoming speaking gig that’s stretching my nerves (and brain cells), and a to-do list that seems to reproduce like rabbits. I cross off one item, and five more pop up yelling “Pick me next!”

But the biggest emotional lifter this week? The team for the 2027 challenge. We’ve had meetings, shared stories, and I’ve been reassured by people who actually know how this stuff should go. Spoiler: emotional support is not optional. So im really happy that this time, I’m going in with the right crew. People who really do support. Who get that it’s hard and don’t try to compete with your pain. Who laugh, who plan, and who’ll probably let me talk too much without a slap on the wrist. I’m beyond grateful to do this surrounded by people who bring joy, not judgment. And let’s not forget why we’re doing this: for the girls. Women’s rugby continues to inspire me, from that very first match I watched over four years ago to every single incredible athlete I’ve met since. They deserve the spotlight, all of it! They deserve the funding, the applause, and the same opportunities as everyone else in sport. If I can help amplify that message, even a tiny bit, then bring on the blisters. Its the incredible charities like Childfund-rugby who amplify this message across the globe and give incredible young women opportunities to play rugby and to learn valuable life skills. Such inspiring people ❤️

Yes, this week has been hard. Yes, I’m tired and achy and living in a state of semi-gloved chaos while hunting down the perfect ultra-wheeling gloves (pro tip: don’t sweat through cheap ones... they disintegrate). But also, yes... I’m hopeful. I’m motivated. And, weirdly, I’m excited. Let’s go. Three weeks and counting!