Thanks, ER!

Thanks, ER!

Not all good things come easy. In October of 2004, shortly after becoming a member of the Phoenix Triathlon Club’s Junior Elite team I was referred to Endurance Rehabilitation. Nathan (Nate) Koch took on the chore of analyzing, diagnosing, and putting a specific work-plan together in order to improve my sub par performance in running, and to prevent injury.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I had taken a short break from training to visit relatives in California. During our stay I decided to go rock climbing and bouldering in Joshua Tree National Recreation Area where I fell and broke my talus and tibia (foot and ankle). Within 6 hours after the accident, I had gone through emergency surgery, leaving two screws in my ankle, a plaster cast up to my knee, and a prognosis that I had a 50% chance of being able to walk normally without a limp, and most likely would never again be able to compete in the sport I love. Wow! Just as things were taking flight, a blow like this was mentally devastating.

The first thing I did after coming home from a 3 night hospital stay was meet with the local orthopedic surgeon followed by a trip to Endurance Rehab. I met with Nate and presented him with a formidable challenge of getting me back to where I was before the injury and then moving me past to improve my running. Due to the fact that I was not allowed any weight bearing exercise for 3 months this was not going to be easy, but he was optimistically helpful that he and his staff were up to it.

Not only did my now good friends help me through the physical aspect of recovery, but they also made it easier to keep a positive mental attitude. They share such a great bond with their patients, that going to Endurance Rehabilitation is never a task, or a chore, but always a reward. As a result, I have been able to test my physical and mental limits as well as to understand how to reach for greater levels of performance and satisfaction in my sports.

I would love to give a sincere “thank you” to all of those at Endurance Rehabilitation who have helped and continue to help me succeed: Nathan (Nate) and Ashley Koch, Matt (Whammo) Byers, Matt (Kraemer) Kraemer, Darlene McClellan, Melissa Spooner and Bill Tjaden.

Sincerely,

Claire Moty
Junior Elite Team Member, Phoenix Triathlon Club