Life's changed as Rio goals come into focus

IT'S HARD to believe that Tuesday morning will mark the one-year anniversary since I was in the shape of my life. Oh how things have changed.

One year ago I was preparing for what was the biggest race of my life at the London Paralympics. The SM4 150 individual medley was, in my mind, going to be my time to really make a mark as the jack of all trades but master of none.

In the eight months prior to the Paralympics, of which I survived three aerobic camps, I shed eight kilograms, five of which came in the first few months. At the time I was the slimmest I had been since breaking my femur as a 10-year-old. Unfortunately I have let myself go slightly and have put five kilos back on to be at a more "natural" bodyweight.

One year on, the chaotic Monday-to-Wednesday trainings, where nine sessions were smashed out to leave my 22-year-old body in need of some rest, seem a distant memory. In some ways, those were the days. Recently graduated, unemployed, and with nothing else to do but train hard.

I always thought the full-time athlete life would be terribly boring and repetitive, but I was wrong. There was something refreshing about training hard, for the biggest event available to a disabled sportsperson, knowing that if you were tired you could just have a nap. Unfortunately, when you start working in the "real world" that is not possible.

One year on from setting lofty seemingly unachievable goals, things have changed. For one, my mindset is looking three years ahead to the next Paralympics in Rio. I no longer flat with a young family. Now, I own a house with my girlfriend and fill my days with writing sports stories for the Northern Advocate.

Training is also very different.

In a way I feel like a more mature athlete as I look to spread trainings across the week rather than cram intense trainings early on in the week.

Now, I train before work most days and, prior to world champs anyway, travel to Auckland on my days off to train with my Kaiwaka-based coach Simon Mayne.

Having just returned from competing at world champs, reflecting on my competitors' times, I see that one in particular is making waves to close in on me.

After making up six seconds in a year, he is living up to the reputation I gave him in my head as being the one to beat come Rio.

Seeing that is enough of a wake-up call for me.

Now, one year on, it marks the anniversary of many good times travelling around Europe with my best friend. Seeing photos on the wall is enough to make me want to go back, even without remembering the excitement and pride of winning a gold medal for New Zealand.

Oh how things have changed.