Erica Green has audience in tears and laughter. Photo/ Stuart Munro
Erica Green has audience in tears and laughter. Photo/ Stuart Munro
Erica Green is a woman of her word.
Yesterday at Treadwell Gordon law firm in Whanganui the Rangitikei College teacher shared her story to people attending the 3 Keys networking event. It had people in tears, laughter and amazement.
Eighteen years ago she was in a car accident on Foxton bridge. She was in surgery for 12 hours and required a wheel chair for the next two years.
The former gym trainer was told, by her doctor, that she would never be able to walk again. But she did.
Then in 2014, after she had just completed a half marathon in New Plymouth, she started to lose her taste and hearing in one ear.
Her doctor later discovered she had a brain tumour that needed to be removed. Once again she was told she wouldn't be able to walk again and had to give up teaching.
But Ms Green said being told she couldn't do it only prompted the opposite.
"When the doctors told me I could never walk again, I saw that as a challenge."
After the car accident, Ms Green completed two Ironmans. After the brain tumour she finished yet another. That was on top of the half marathons here and the Masters Games there. A woman of her word.
About 30 people gathered at Treadwell Gordon to hear Erica Green speak at the 3 Keys networking event in Whanganui. Photo/ Stuart Munro
So how did she do it?
She started with swimming and competed in the Whanganui masters games.
After cleaning up all the swimming medals she decided she was ready for a new challenge so she started biking. Her first bike ride was from Marton to Whanganui with her husband driving slowly beside her.
Bit by bit she built herself up for running.
"I remember the first kilometre I did on the treadmill, I rushed over to tell one of my girlfriends who could properly have walked faster but I did it."
Every triathlon she did she came last by miles.
"It was a bit heart-breaking but I always thought at least I'm beating the person on the couch."
Four kilometres of swimming, 180 kilometres of biking and 42 kilometres of running made up one Ironman. Ms Green completed every metre of that three times.
