INSPO Fitness Journal November 2017

A CONSTANT
COMEBACK
Illness and injury have
plagued Sophie Corbidge for
the past three years, but you’ll
always find a smile on this
triathlete’s face.
BY CALEB SHEPHERD
Time will tell whether her commitment
and dedication will pay off, but given
she has beaten everything from adrenal
fatigue and stress fractures to a broken
elbow, anything is possible.
Scan the social media streams of Kiwi athletes
and you’ll be sure to find the wide grin
and curly blonde locks of Sophie Corbidge.
The 26-year-old has been competing in high
performance triathlons since 2008 and has
faced more than her fair share of obstacles.
It seems that every time she starts to
climb her way up the ITU rankings, an injury
or illness will swoop in to steal her thunder.
When Sophie had her best result at a major
WTS event in 2015, finishing 11th among
Elite Women at the ITU World Series Final
in London, she was struck by severe adrenal
fatigue shortly after, forcing her out of the
sport for a year.
Her most recent comeback was also shortlived.
She returned for the Montreal ITU
World Cup in August 2016. Racing against
athletes peaking for the Olympics meant she
was truly up against it, but she still rounded
out the top 20.
After progressing well through the summer
training block, she placed 11th at the ITU
World Cup event in New Plymouth, followed
by a second placing at the Elite National
series in Takapuna. But this success was again
followed by with injury; after heading overseas
to compete, Sophie had to return home
with a stress fracture in her sacrum.
Through all of the setbacks, Sophie has
hung tough. Although retirement has crossed
her mind more than once, the thrill of racing
keeps pulling her back in.
“When I had my year off with adrenal
fatigue, I thought I would really love it,” she
says. “I thought I would love not having to
get up early, not having to put my body
I love racing, I love
winning and I know
I haven’t achieved
what I’m capable of
doing yet.
through what I do, but I ended up actually
really missing it. I was craving racing.
“I love racing, I love winning and I know
I haven’t achieved what I’m capable of doing
yet.”
This attitude is what makes Sophie such
a fantastic role model. This, along with her
love of working with children, led her into
the Duffy Books in Homes programme as an
ambassador.
“I love sharing my story about triathlon
and if I can help other people be motivated
to do something then why not?
“It’s very rewarding going around schools
giving books to children who wouldn’t have
them otherwise, and they are genuinely so
appreciative that you’re there and giving
your time; it’s a pretty amazing feeling.”
The next 12 months take a different shape
for Sophie as she aims to complete a full
season of domestic and international competition
injury-free.
32 INSPO – FITNESS JOURNAL NOVEMBER 2017