The Examiner 28 August 2007

2007_08_28-examiner.pdf

Donna Looks Ahead

Donna Tells of her Disappointment in Osaka

I am so disappointed and upset that I was not able to race in my heat of the 3000m Steeplechase yesterday (25/8).  I was feeling good on the start line and was confident of making the final, particularly as I was the third fastest of the 18 athletes on the start line. 

I had the 7th lane draw, and as the gun went off all the athletes to my right converged to the left in preparation for the first steeple.  Within 50 metres of the startline, someone landed on the side of my right foot, taking my shoe clean off.  I did not sustain any spiking injury to my foot, I just found myself in the middle of the pack of athletes with only one shoe. It had been tightly laced, but I can see three spike holes in my shoe now, which anchored it to the ground as I tried to run.

With literally less than a second to think, I considered going back to find my shoe, but I decided that it would take too long and I would not make the final if I took that option.  So I continued, taking the first jump with only my left shoe on.  It did not occur to me to pull out of the race at that stage. 

As I was running, I was considering ways to get through the race given my predicament…I took the first water jump, making sure I landed with my ’shod’ foot on the barrier, because I was worried I would slip in bare feet (or get trodden on). 

I completed 600 metres, but as much as I wanted to continue, the pain in my foot as it burned on the track was unbearable.  When I looked down to see blood pouring from the sole of my bare foot onto the track, I had no option but to stop.  The air temperature was around 35 degrees and the track surface was obviously hotter.  I had even tried running on the white line of lane one for a bit of relief from the heat and friction of the track.

My first instinct was to persuade the Japanese officials to allow me to compete in the third heat of the steeple races, which would start in the next ten minutes.  I knew it was unlikely I’d be allowed, but I strangely kept pursuing this option despite not being able to walk to the medical area.  I did not realise the extent of the damage I caused by running barefoot, in terms of extreme blistering and broken skin on my feet.  The pain from the doctor trying to scrape pieces of the track from underneath broken blisters was incredible. I needed a local anaesthetic in my toes to finish the job.  

If given the chance to decide what to do again, I would go back for my shoe, but I really wanted to make that final and I wasn’t thinking about conserving my feet for the next race.  I managed to get through the many media interviews through quite a few tears. 

The Australian team management and medical staff have been very supportive and my team members have lifted my spirits (bringing me chocolate and icecream) and helping me get to the dining area.

Thank you to my family and friends, who continue to support me as I knew they would. I am very lucky to know that my value as a person does not depend on how I perform on the track.  It’s times like these when it’s important to put things into perspective.

My chance to race in these World Championships is gone, but I am still alive, I still have my family and I am loved.  It’s disappointing for me and a lot of other people as well, but it was just an unfortunate accident that I could not have prevented.   So I’ll get over it- it will be really hard watching the final in Osaka, but I’ll start looking ahead as soon as I can. 

-Donna

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2007 Osaka World Champs – Donna’s SBS Interview
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2007 Osaka World Champs – Donna’s SBS Interview

The Examiner 26 August 2007

2007_08_26-examiner.pdf

Dream Dashed

Bitter Disappointment for Donna at Osaka 2007

A shoe implosion has cost Donna MacFarlane her dream of running in the 3000m Steeplechase Final at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics.  Donna had her foot trampelled on after only 10m, with her right shoe coming off after 50m of running.  Hesitating momentarily, to consider picking it up, she courageously continued running for 2 laps, before retiring from the race for the first time in her career.  With the sole of her foot badly blistered and cut from the extremely hot track Donna limped from the race.  “I thought I could handle the pain, but it was so bad.  There was blood all over the track and I just couldn’t continue.” 

“It’s certainly the biggest disappointment of my career, but not something I want to end on.  Now is the time to remember that my value as a person is not dependant on how I perform on the track.”

Donna will now turn her attention to preparing for September’s World Athletic Final in Germany, which she has already qualified for through her stellar performances this season.

 Click here for Donna’s post-race audio interview.

Donna Arrives in Osaka

Cairns was only a mild introduction to the heat I experienced getting off the plane in Osaka.  It was still 30 degrees at 10pm, and more like the middle Eastern temperatures I faced in Doha, Qatar.  Around half the Australian team is here already, and the countdown is on until the first day of competition.  I`m rooming with Danni Samuels, the discus thrower.  I am glad the hotel provides `European` pillows because the Japanese ones weigh around 5kg and are filled with a crunchy sounding grain!  I did a short interview for SBS TV (yes that is me with dark hair!). I was also surprised to see I`m on the cover of the IAAF anti-doping handbook that is given to all competitors.  That`s got to be a good sign.  Well I`m off to the track for some hurdle jumping in the 36 degree heat.

-Donna

In Cairns with One Week to Go!

I arrived in Cairns on Wednesday with my family to a warm 28 degrees.  I have met up with some of the Australian sprinters based here, and the team’s physio and massage.  We’re all benefiting from this trip – My husband Marty can now boast that he’s met Matt Shirvington and we can all say we touched a snake (in the Wildlife Dome at the top of the Casino!).

There are a few Tasmanian athletes around at the moment – of course Melissa Kay is also off to Osaka, but Brittany Knee (Launceston) and Ben Rickards (now Perth, WA) are both competing in Cairns for the Melanesian Games.

I’ll be here until next Tuesday when I fly to Osaka.

-Donna

Competition: 10 Donna MacFarlane Posters in 10 Days

In the lead up to the Osaka 2007 World Athletics Championships, donnamacfarlane.com in association with Athletics Tasmania is giving you the opportunity to win a signed Donna MacFarlane poster.  To win a poster simply email Athletics Tasmania at richard@tasathletics.org.au with your best words of support for Donna. 

The 10 best entries will be judged by Athletics Tasmania and each will recieve a signed Donna MacFarlane poster.  Get your entries in by the 22nd August to be in the running.

Don’t forget that you can also email fanmail for Donna in the lead up to and during the World Championships to fanmail@donnamacfarlane.com.  Let’s get those words of support in for Donna!

The Examiner 11 August 2007

2007_08_11-examiner.pdf

MacFarlane on Track for Athletic Challenges

Launching www.donnamacfarlane.com, Donna's Official Website

With less than three weeks to go until the World Championships in Osaka, Donna’s support team would like to unveil www.donnamacfarlane.com , Donna’s official website.  This initiative is in response to the large amount of feedback Donna received during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, from people wanting to access more information.  School students in particular were finding it difficult to access photos of Donna and relevant information for their school projects.  The website is intended to be a concise information point for students who may be interested in Donna as well as other people who are keen to follow Donna’s progress as she runs towards the Osaka World Championships and the Beijing Olympics next year.  It is also a good opportunity for Donna to introduce herself and thank those people who help her to achieve her goals.  

Donna leaves for Osaka (via Cairns) next week, with the heat of the 3000m Steeplechase on the morning of 25th August. 

Keep posted here for Donna’s progress and results in Osaka.

Donna Wins State Cross Country Title

Donna has won her last race on Australian soil before heading off to the World Championships later this month in Osaka.  Donna won the Tasmanian Cross Country Title for the 2nd consecutive year (she came second in the Australian Championships on the same course at Pontville, Tasmania in 2006).  Donna finished the 8km race over 1 min ahead of the first under 20 male competitor on the same course that was used for the Australian Championships last year.  Donna was happy with the race and is looking forward to focusing on the shorter events in the near future.