“I couldn’t even put on my shoes!”
The 20-year-old has kept her back injury a secret from her army of local followers and only today has admitted that it was so bad “I couldn’t even do the simplest tasks like put on my own shoes!”
It tested the youngster mentally as well as physically but yesterday in Sheffield she marked her return with a new indoor personal best on her way to a bronze medal at the British Athletics Indoor Team Trials.
“If someone was to tell me three weeks ago that I would be completely pain free and throwing an indoor PB to take bronze at the Senior British Championships, I definitely wouldn't have believed them!” she said.
“I’m just happy to be back throwing again. This winter was one of my biggest challenges yet. I was carrying a back injury that meant I couldn’t even do the simplest tasks like put on my own shoes! Of course I kept this as quiet as possible because I knew I would be back fighting soon enough and didn’t want anyone to worry about me.
“It definitely challenged me mentally and I’ve learnt so much from it. I’ve only thrown the shot put five times since September and come away with an indoor PB and bronze medal yesterday. That is so positive to think about what I may actually do this year with some proper training!”
Rachel Wallader took the title with a final round 17.43m throw with Sophie McKinna (16.74m) taking silver. Adele was third with 15.93m.
Next up for Adele is the British University Championships next weekend and then she is unlikely to compete again until March.
“I am hoping to be selected for the Under 23 GB team on March 11 in Gran Canaria at a European Cup match,” she said.
Adele's story has been followed closely by the Welshpool area since she stormed onto the scene and local sponsors - Rikki Lloyd, Dawson Shanahan, Great Fitness and Fitzgeralds – have provided her with solid support.
Only last month she was named Montgomeryshire Sports Personality of the Year (pictured).
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