Hollie: Every second counts

ATHLETE Hollie Arnold insists every second between now and the London 2012 Paralympics counts as she bids to recover from a back injury sooner rather than later.

The 15-year-old from Holton-Le-Clay enjoyed a medal-laden 2009, claiming discus silver and javelin bronze at the IWAS Junior World Championships in July before scooping double gold at the UK School Games two months later.

Arnold topped the podium in both the discus and the shot-put in South Wales, only to be struck down with a stress fracture in her lower back weeks later.

The Cleethorpes Athletics Club thrower hasn't been able to train or compete since – and admitted she is growing increasingly anxious despite the London 2012 Paralympics still being exactly 1,000 days away today.

"I was told I would be out for about 12 weeks and that was a couple of months ago. But with the nature of the injury it is affecting the inner soles of my feet," said Arnold, who finished 11th in the javelin on her Paralympic debut last year.

"So all I can do at the moment is swim – I have done a bit of biking and some core stability exercises but that is it.

"It is my first real injury and now is probably the best time to be off because there are no competitions. But it is still frustrating because there isn't much time between now and 2012.

"Things are happening so quickly and I can't believe how little time there is. I am starting to get a little bit worried because I haven't been training.

"There are things I want to do and it is doubly frustrating because when I get angry I just take my anger out when I train."

Arnold will follow a similar path in 2010 as she did this year with the IWAS Junior World Championships and the UK School Games both on the agenda.

The Cordeaux School, Louth, pupil will also combine that with a move to the athletics academy at the Grimsby Institute – and believes further success will await when she finally makes her long-awaited return from injury.

"Obviously nothing will compare with Beijing until London 2012, but this year has been good," she said.

"I had a really good time at the UK School Games and getting two golds and I was pleased to build on what I did at the worlds in Switzerland.

"The senior World Championships aren't until 2011 in New Zealand so next year won't be too different from this year.

"But I definitely feel I can get a personal best and that is what I will be aiming for."

Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of ParalympicsGB on their journey to London 2012. LloydsTSB.com/London2012