Hi Fam! I'm so happy to share this blog with you. Amelia Davis joined us in 2016 as one of our very first Ambassadors! Today, she kindly shares her journey through triathlon...from rolled ankles and race day comebacks, to running with a double pram and two little ones in tow, Amelia has come full circle and we've been there every step of the way. Now in her ‘tri mum’ era, Amelia is training smarter, swimming stronger and reconnecting with the FOHER Co community in a whole new season of life. I found Amelia's story relatable, inspiring and empowering, and I hope you do too.
x Kylie and the FOHER Team
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My triathlon journey began out of an injury from another sport in 2011. I have always enjoyed being active and playing sport but had always seen triathlon as an elite sport which I couldn’t really participate in because I wasn’t a very confident swimmer. I certainly did not enjoy swimming at all due to my lack of technique and an inability to float.
Pic: Amelia at one of her 'favourite' places - the iconic North Sydney Olympic Pool.
Back to my injury… I was playing a lot of netball and decided to train for a half marathon in the hopes of a full marathon after that. One night playing netball, I rolled my ankle resulting in a severe grade two stain, which the physio said, ‘I did a pretty good job and had almost tore the ligament off the bone’. I reluctantly asked if it would be ready to run a half marathon in 6 weeks’ time and he replied with how about resting for now and 6 minutes of running in a few weeks’ time. I was disappointed with this; however, I had seen many people have injuries at rush back to training and re- injury themselves shortly after. I was also determined to not wear an ankle brace every time I played netball and as this was my first major injury.
So like a good little student and to the physio’s surprise I followed all his orders and completed he exercise as prescribed(I even diligently strapped my ankle when every playing netball for about 6 months post injury). Two weeks into the rehab, I was allowed to ride a bike. I did not own a bike at this time, so I purchased one and now did not really have an excuse not to do a triathlon, except for the swimming part. I found a local tri club and rocked up to the swim training session, I remember struggling through the first 200m and that was only the warmup. I got through it, rehabbed my ankle injury and completed my very first triathlon in November 2011 at Raby Bay.
Pic: Amelia has a long history in the sport, having started racing in 2011. Here she competes at the 2016 National Sprint Championships, placing 7th.
Fast forward to 2025 and surprisingly the type of exercise I have been the most consistent with for almost the last few years has been swimming, and only because of my kids. At the time I had an 8 week old and a 2 year old and wanted to do their swimming lessons on the same day. So we found a swimming pool that could so that and lo and behold they also has a kids club. So, I booked them in and joined the squad, and didn’t look back.
After my first pregnancy and during my second one I did some more swimming and tried to keep up my running, however no triathlons were completed in between babies. I recall being 39 weeks pregnant, days away from due date with my second baby, my parental leave had begun, and I was desperately trying to relieve the extra weight on my body by swimming. I could hardly turn around at each end and secretly hoped the session would send my body into labour. The two men swimming next to me were not so sure hahaa!
I really wanted to be one of those women that run regularly during pregnancy and goes out for a run at 40 weeks pregnant and goes into labour after successfully running 5kms! But no, that was not me! I made it to 35 weeks pregnant and had to stop running due to the pressure on my bladder and hips, despite the efforts and my next level belly strapping, I gave in. It was also quite uncomfortable to run at 35 weeks pregnant because I was also pushing my toddler in a pram at the same time. So now that the kids are loving their swimming lessons, I’m already at the pool so there’s no excuse not to attend the squad training.
Pic: Amelia fits in swim training around her kids swimming lessons at the same pool.
I took the natural progression we all take in triathlon starting with that enticer back in 2011, thinking there was no way I could do anymore but worked my way up to an Olympic distance triathlon, and Noosa was my first. I even did a specific training camp leading up to this event so I knew I could finish. It was here I learnt about age group world champs and some much more. I continued my training for Noosa and then set my sights on qualifying for the 2014 Age Group world championships. I made a promise to myself, that if I as able to qualify through my own training program I could get a professional coach to take me to Worlds.
It just so happened that at the time I was studying exercise physiology which equipped me with the knowledge to write my own training program. I adapted/used a program for an assignment, in which the topic was to write a 26-week program for an elite rugby player or a female triathlete, you can guess which one I chose. I even included a bike fit assessment in the assignment, used my own photos, which the lecturer was very impressed with the level of detail I went it to and I scored 87.5/100, so it seemed like it would work.
And it did. I qualified for the 2014 Age Group World Champs, which were to be held in Canada. I then went on to qualify for the duathlon World champs that were held in Adelaide the following year. Both experiences were nothing short of amazing and I was lucky enough to have my mum come and support me both times. Triathlon has taken me all over the world and all-around Australia. I also continued my racing journey when I was living in the UAE from 2017 to 2020. With my final race there in 2019, the Dubai Women’s triathlon (only available to women), where I placed 3rd and was 8 weeks pregnant.
Pic: Amelia qualified to represent Australia at a number of world championships, racing domestically and overseas.
It took 4 years and two kids later until I was back on the racing scene at Noosa Tri once again in 2023. So, training and racing look a little different now, I am the proud owner of a double running trailer, and my swimming has never been more consistent as I am at the pool each week for the kids’ lessons. The consistent swimming has also had a nice flow on effect to my running and cycling. I have noticed even when I am not able to run or ride regularly when I do get back to it my cardiovascular fitness is being nicely maintained by the regular swimming. In the past I would have done a 12-week block of swimming leading up to a race, then forgot all about it until the next race. I have always appreciated the low impact and have credited my relative injury free triathlon career to swimming, but I now see so much more value in it than I did before. I was a typical triathlete, who disliked swimming and just want to get it out of the way so I can get to riding and running. But I am enjoying it more than ever now.
Pic: Amelia regularly works training into 'life', like riding to and from the office.
I’m entering a new phase in my triathlon career, my ‘tri mum’ era as I’m calling it. I have less time for training these days, so when it does happen it needs to be quality over quantity. I need to use all my professional knowledge to achieve this. I ride and run to work to fit it all in. However, this thing I miss most about triathlon is the community - I miss being able to turn up to a race and know I will find someone with a club tent to hang out with and talk about how cold the water will be and if the wetsuit will give any advantage. Although I know my return to racing will be met with open arms by the FOHER Co community, I continue to be amazed by this inclusive group we have all built together. I found out that one of the swim teachers at the pool I go to is an FOHER Co Ambassador, and we always have a good chat!
Pic: Mr 4 takes a leaf out of Mum's book and learning the road rules from the best!
Now that the kids are a little bit older (2 and 4), it’s time to get back to racing. I’ve mapped out three events for 2025 and am excited to see how I go. I’d love to get back to training and racing for standard distance again, but I just don’t have the time. I know that will come later. So, for now I’ll focus on shorter distance racing- not my preference but a challenge none the less. I’ll put my exercise prescription knowledge to the test and see how the body responds.
After all, there is no better motivation and empowerment that reclaiming yourself after having kids, am I right ladies? x Amelia.
