Back in blog land!

It’s been a long time in the making and you may be wondering what prompted this resurgence after over a year of nothingness! I happened to stumble across this blog and read through my entries from my time at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics and it brought back so many amazing memories and stories and I realised how grateful I was that I’d taken the time to document some of the crazy things that I had experienced whilst at the Winter Paralympics. After all representing Australia in a summer and winter sport is highly unique and with London fast approaching I’ve decided to get back in the game so everyone can keep up to date with my adventures!

Now to avoid a ridicously long blog entry of the happening’s of the past year and a half here is the short version, let’s say the highlight real. I made my long awaited debut for Australia in athletics winning silver (Long Jump) and bronze (Javelin) medals at the 2011 IPC World Athletics Championships whilst in the process I became the first Australian athlete (Paralympic or able bod) to medal at an international major summer and winter meet.

(World Athleticss Champs podium)

I continued my ambassador roles for the Australian Paralympic Committee, 2XU and Vision Australia- most notably when Vision Australia was announced as the charity of choice for the 2011 Melbourne Cup Carnival- a lot of fun socialising whilst raising money for an incredible cause. I've also been to a bunch of awards evenings, speaking gigs and media events spreading the Paralympic message and love!

(With one of the beautiful Seeing Eye Dog puppies)

(Being interviewed by Sonia kruger for Channel 7 on Derby Day)

(Red Carpet at the 'I Support Women In Sport Awards'

where I was nominated for an award)

I jumped on board as an ambassador for Kx Pilates, a revolutionary new fast paced, high intensive body-toning workout that fuses the core strengthening elements of traditional Pilates with circuit, cardio and endurance training- I am hooked, come down for a class- you will love it! www.kxpilates.com.au

I took some time off and had an amazing holiday in the US catching up with my US ski team friends and did some major exploring in New York City with my Mum- LOVE that place!

(On holiday in NYC)

I’m still working as an Osteopath and just love being based in Melbourne training for an extended period of time. The ski racing life may appear glamorous but I am not missing the cold at all! I miss skiing and the mountains but when I woke up 2 days ago to hear my home resort in Colorado was -12C and I was training in 30C I was pretty damn happy to be in track and field mode. A short and sweet message from my mate on the circuit summed it up perfectly in one sentence for me ‘I am permanently cold right now’. Brrrrrr.

With 262 days until the 2012 London Paralympics training is heavy and long, my 'A team' of coaches, strength & conditioning, medical etc have the plan in place and everything is progressing beautifully. The athletics season has just begun and I am excited to get plenty of comps under my belt!

Well that's enough for now stay tuned as I have some exciting news to announce in the next week… :)

Oh and if you're in Twitter land make sure you say hi! @JessGallagher86