Challenges Ahead

Posted on January 2, 2014 by NerdyVet

Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past few days you’ll have been swept up in all of the New Year’s chat and will, I am sure, have your own goals and resolutions, some of which you may well have broken already! 🙂 Whatever your plans for the upcoming twelve months, and I daresay that as you are reading this those plans include applying to and gaining a place at Vet School, it is really helpful to have a firm challenge and set of achievable goals in place. After all, what is point of striving for something if it is easy to achieve? The taste of success would be short-lived and nowhere near as sweet as if you have had to really knuckle down and fight for what you want.

What are your plans this year? Many of you will be looking forward to interviews, whilst some will already have offers in place, whether guaranteed or conditional on achieving some stellar grades in exams later in the year, whilst many of you will be working on your applications, busily beavering away at work experience placements, academic work and extra-curricular pursuits, all in a bid to attract that all important offer. As ever, the best companion for this journey is the Vet School series of books, as they literally do guide you from start to end on this journey you have signed up for.

I too have set myself a serious challenge for 2014. Last year was all about emigrating to the Middle East and this year the focus is of a sporting nature as I train for my very first Ironman triathlon race. There is more on this on my personal blog, the Nerdy Vet, but safe to say that as far as challenges go I have definitely chosen one that will be a struggle to achieve.

So…. whatever your specific goals and ambitions are this year, here’s to hard work, a little luck and success in 2014. Happy New Year to you all.

Iron Vet – Interview with Adelle Isaacs BVSc GPCertFAP MRCVS

Posted on September 20, 2013 by NerdyVet

There are few challenges bigger or tougher than undertaking an Ironman race, which is exactly what a good friend of mine from my days at Bristol Vet School has just undertaken. Hers is an inspirational story and she is a role model for anyone looking to apply to vet school, juggle athletic and academic pursuits, or simply take on a colossal challenge. The Iron Vet in question is Adelle Isaacs, Junior Partner at Larkmead Veterinary Group, based in Oxfordshire.

Who are you? Where did you study? When did you first decide to be a vet and what kind of vet you are now? Where do you work?

I decided that I wanted to be a vet when I was 7 years old. I loved animals and had a menagerie of small pets. A family friend was a vet and I was lucky enough to be allowed to hang around the practice after school, I never really looked back. I went to my local comprehensive school, got the necessary grades and studied at Bristol between 2002 and 2007. I am still in my first job at Larkmead Veterinary Group in Oxfordshire, which happens to be at my foster practice from university. In January I became a Junior Partner in the practice. I am a large animal vet and spend 90% of my time working with cattle and sheep.

You are undertaking your first Ironman race. What drove you to sign up for the toughest event in the sporting world?

I read Chrissie Wellington’s book (for those that don’t know she is one of the greatest ironman athletes of all time). There was a chapter in the book about a nun who was 80 years old and still competing in Ironman events. I was reading this book on a flight to Auckland, I was on my way to represent GB at an age group level in the World Championships for Sprint Distance triathlon. My brother, and training partner (Danny) had also qualified and had read the book. We had a conversation about this nun in New Zealand and both decided that if an 80 year old could do it there was absolutely no reason why two fit people in their twenties couldn’t do it too. Once we were back in the UK we signed up within a couple of days. Then there was no going back! We chose the race at Mont Tremblant in Canada as it was late in the season, giving us time to prepare, and the scenery looked beautiful. We decided we would try to raise some money for cancer charities in memory of our older sister who unfortunately lost her battle with cancer a few years ago.

How did you first get into triathlon? Why?

I was swimming, mountain biking and running to get fit and I wanted a challenge to keep me motivated. My first race was in 2010 and was a super sprint at Dorney Lake near Eton. Since then I have competed in all of the mainstream distances (sprint, olympic, half ironman and ironman) as well as a half marathon and a few cycling sportives. Triathlon is an amazing sport, it is competitive, but for many (including myself and my brother) the most important contest is with yourself and challenging yourself to give the best performance that you are capable of. Triathlon has a hugely supportive spirit and the atmosphere at races is always really friendly and encouraging.

Were you a sporty/ athletic person before and during vet school?

Whilst I was at school I played lots of girls’ football, I absolutely loved it. I played for our county team and had dreams of going to America (where ladies football is massive) and becoming a pro (I was never really talented enough to do this!). I tore my cruciate ligament in a game the season before coming to university and had it surgically repaired the summer before I started at Bristol. Once I was at vet school I kept thinking I would join the ladies team, but it never really happened. Free time wasn’t really something we had in abundance and I spent more of my time at the bar then exercising and as a result I got really unfit!

What are the challenges associated with balancing training, your work as a vet and a social life?

I am hugely lucky to have an incredibly supportive and understanding boyfriend, and family and friends that are second to none. My colleagues at work have been amazing also, offering to cover some duties so that I can fit in long bike rides every weekend and just generally encouraging me. Without these people I could not have even made it to the start line of the Ironman. Balancing the training and increasingly responsibilities at work has been challenging, sometimes more so than the actual training. I’ve had to improve my skills of time management hugely and I wasn’t exactly disorganised before.

What have been the highlights of both your professional and sporting lives to date?

The highlight of my professional life is gaining a place a Bristol Vet School, professionally everything else has followed on from here really. Obviously I am really excited to have joined the partnership at Larkmead Veterinary Group. In terms of my sporting life the major highlight has to be crossing the finishing line at Ironman Mont Tremblant, the race was pretty eventful and there were times when I thought I wouldn’t make it so it was a very emotional moment. We also raised over £6000 for Cancer Research and Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and this is something I am hugely proud of. My brother and I also represented the GB age group team for sprint distance triathlon at the World Champs in New Zealand last year, racing in the GB trisuit was a very proud moment and I was so happy to share the experience with my brother.

What are your sporting and professional ambitions following Ironman Tremblant?

I want to focus more on work next year, everyone has been very supportive and understanding during my Ironman training but I feel I owe the practice more of my mental attention going forward. Becoming a partner has taken a bit of getting used to, but I am enjoying it and I hope to progress to Senior Partnership within the next 5 years. I will focus on olympic distance and half ironman distance racing next year as these distances are a bit more compatable with a ‘normal’ life. I hope to return to Ironman racing in 2015 and maybe even a shot at Ironman World Championship (Kona) qualification in the future.

How was the race?

Eventful!!! The swim started really well but half way through my hat came off which unleashed my hair! Every time I turned my head to breathe I almost choked on my own hair and it made it very difficult to ‘sight’ and swim in a straight line. I was pleased to get out of the water and looked like a drowned rat by the time I made it to transition. The bike started really well, I felt so strong after a couple of weeks of tapering and I was flying along! This was until then 40km mark when I was hit by another cyclist and knocked off my bike at an aid station! The bike went flying as I landed on my shoulder, elbow and head. I quickly realised that I ‘wasn’t that bad’ and was relieved to see my bike was fine. I got back on and although my arm was really stiff I was confident that I would make it through the remaining 140km on the bike and tried not to think about the marathon that awaited. I got to T2 feeling pretty sick, the energy drink offered on the bike course was slightly different to what they had advertised and it didn’t agree with me!! This really frustrated me as my brother and I had imported some of the advertised product from the USA to try during training to avoid this very scenario. Anyway, there was nothing I could do, I felt awful and seriously considered pulling out after the bike. I couldn’t imagine how I was going to make it through a marathon feeling how I did. I made myself start the run, I couldn’t have lived with myself if I hadn’t even tried to run. After 2km of running I realised that the energy drink was now making its way through my system, I was having serious stomach cramps and as a result I had to visit the portaloos at every aid station in the first half of the run. As well as being really painful and disgusting I found this so frustrating as I just couldn’t get into a rhythm and my legs actually felt fine. Things got really bad at the halfway mark, I could run more than about 50m without doubling over in pain. I decided at this point to walk until my stomach settled, this took about 30 minutes, during my walk I discovered that my shoulder was actually seriously painful after the crash. It was just one thing after another! I got really low at this point, but after seeing my friends and family I attempted to start running again. I felt fine for the first time in about 6 hours. I ran the last 15km of the 42 km marathon well and finished strong. Running down the finishing chute felt totally surreal. I couldn’t believe I had done it. I knew my brother had finished about 2 hours before me, so crossing the line I knew we had both done it! It felt incredible! I’m so glad I didn’t drop out after the bike, the human body is capable of more than our minds give it credit for!

What tips and advice do you have for anyone thinking of applying to vet school? What about any current athletes or prospective athletes?

Achieving a place at vet school is not easy! It takes dedication, commitment and hard work, but if it is something that you are passionate about and you are willing to put in the effort it is achievable. Getting a broad range of work experience with many species is vital. It is important to get some longer work experience placements to show that you have the required commitment, for example, work at a farm every Saturday for a prolonged period. I would assume that all those applying have similar grades to you and probably similar work experience, so you need to do something to set you apart from the masses. This is where extra-curricular activities come in handy, whether it be sport, music or drama, anything that demonstrates that you are a balanced individual with a passion for non-veterinary matters will stand you in good stead. These activities may also demonstrate that you have developed some skills such as teamwork and communication, which are so important as a vet. If you are lucky enough to be invited for interview, prepare for it meticulously, read up on current affairs and key cases you have seen during work experience. Prepare for it as though it is an exam and then try to relax during the interview so that you can communicate clearly and allow your personality to shine through.

If you are an athlete thinking of applying to vet school don’t be put off. Your skills of time management will probably be more developed than those of people who have applying for vet school as their sole focus, this skill will be invaluable at vet school when spare time is very limited. Dedication to sport will teach so many of the transferable skills that you will be able to use during the application process, at university and during your working life. Sport will also keep you sane!

Scaling New Heights

Posted on September 20, 2013 by NerdyVet

For those of you keeping up with my adventures via my blog, The Nerdy Vet, you may know that I have recently been to Europe, and specifically the Alps, during which I spent some time not only jumping from planes (as I am prone to do from time to time), but also a spot of paragliding, mountain biking and alpine climbing, something that I had never really done before.

On the ascent to the summit of Gran Paradiso

I had always wondered what the fuss was with climbing mountains, especially given the obvious fact that it has always looked so hard, just to stand on top of a bit of snow, ice and rock. Yet humans seem almost obsessively driven to drag themselves up ever higher in the name of conquering a plethora of peaks. Having now experienced first-hand the feeling of incredible achievement, in addition to the breathtaking views that are afforded to those who summit, I have newly discovered appreciation for the motivating forces that drive people to push themselves beyond their levels of comfort in pursuit of alpine success.

Danny Uhlmann, First Light Mountain Guides

My mountain guide for the week, an effervescent American by the name of Danny Uhlmann (First Light Mountain Guides), was brilliant, not only in terms of his knowledge and ability as a guide, but also as great company, something that is important to have when tired, aching and uncertain of the extent of your own physical abilities. From advising me on initial preparation, kit and discussing the kind of climbs that we could do, to literally coaching me up my first alpine ascent, Danny was the perfect guide. One of the pivotal moments for me came on our very first day’s climbing, during the first bit of proper alpine rock climbing that I had ever done, complete with crampons and ice axe. There was a section of the climb that involved edging out onto and up a crazily exposed sheer cliff face, with nothing but a vertical drop of what seemed like forever below us. Danny explained the route and although I was trying my best to listen all I was really able to focus on was how intense the next section seemed, considering that all I really had keeping me attached to the mountain was my hands, feet, the sincere desire not to fall, and a rope between my guide and myself. As Danny headed off first I had several moments to quietly contemplate what it was that I was expected to do in the coming minutes. I was genuinely concerned that I was going to freeze and not be able to actually push myself to do the climb – the prospect of fear getting the better of me was real. But what if I didn’t do it? What then? I couldn’t come this far and not give it my best, especially on day 1. As such, I focused on the task immediately in hand, concentrating 100% on exactly where every foot and hand hold was going to go, and edged out with my back facing the endless expanse of the valley thousands of feet below. Well, I did it and the rest of the climb went well, a perfect introduction to alpine climbing that set us up well for the following days and the eventual ascent of Gran Paradiso, the highest peak in Italy and the crowning achievement of the week in Europe.

Gran Paradiso summit

I will be the first to admit that at the time of doing it and being there at the summit I was not having the best time ever. In fact, it would be safe to say I was crapping myself and very much looking forward to getting down again. In spite of that fact I would wholeheartedly recommend the experience to every one of you. The journey, including the preparation for the day itself, was an enriching experience of highs (both metaphorical and physical) and lows, with fatigue, fear and doubt always present. Now I am no stranger to heights being a skydiver. In fact I think nothing of leaping into thin air from 13,000 feet for fun. Alpine climbing, however, was truly scary for reasons that I am still working through in my mind.

There are so many factors in play with a mountain that danger literally exists at all times. From navigating glaciers and avoiding (hopefully) crevasses, to climbing round an exposed spur of rock thousands of feet up an exposed cliff face with little more than a bit of rope looped around and just careful placement of both hands and feet, I have come to the conclusion that mountaineers truly are impressive athletes. Danny did a sterling job preparing me and coaching me up, down, over and around obstacles that at times I seriously doubted I could overcome. He was patient and calm, yet encouraging and pushy enough at times when all I needed was just a good kick up the arse. It is amazing what can actually be achieved with the right support and belief in what you’re capable of.

One of the scariest moments of the trip was traversing a lengthy yet impossibly narrow and exposed snow ridge en route to the start of our second alpine climb at the Aguille du Midi in the Mont Blanc massif. Imagine, if you can, the prospect of walking along a path of snow and ice that is no wider than a standard school ruler, with a precipitously looooooooooong drop either side which would literally send you down to your death with enough time during the descent to truly comprehend the fact, and add to that a biting, bracing and strong wind that is trying to push you off said path. Oh, and then throw into the mix fun little features such as a deep crevasse over which you have to step, and quickly at that, because to fall down said crack in the ice would also lead to certain death. When you consider that this experience was at the start of this one day’s climbing then you get a flavour for the sort of challenges that awaited.

Applying to vet school is much like climbing a mountain: a lengthy, at times, demoralising preparation period, culminating in the actual attempt at the big prize, with the trials, stresses and concerns that go along with the process, and with no guarantee of ultimate success. Much as I would either have never reached the summit of any of the peaks I climbed, or faltered spectacularly along the way, without my mountain guide, your chances of Vet School Success are so much greater with the right help, support, nudging and advice along the way.

Those of you about to start vet school are much like those climbers who have reached the summit and are about to start their descent to base camp. The feeling of incredible achievement really starts to sink in as you take in the fact that you have done it, you have reached your goal! However, there is still much work to do during the next critical part of the journey and there is no guarantee that you’ll make it through safely – there are still all those crevasses and rocky drops (exams etc) to test your resolve, focus and determination along the way. Having said this, the descent is always more relaxed and enjoyable than the ascent, as you can beam and glow at the pride of having achieved what seemed so insurmountable before. If you could bottle that feeling then I would implore you to do so.

I left the Alps aching but incredibly proud of my achievements, having pushed myself above and beyond what I thought I was capable of. Having had my first experience of mountain climbing I can certainly envisage returning for more and totally now get the addictive nature of the push for ever greater heights that comes with mountaineering. There is something deeply humbling about being in and on mountains, an environment in which in spite of the best laid plans and preparation can be cruel and unforgiving yet can serve up priceless moments of beauty. You’ll face trials, tribulations and moments of doubt during your own ‘ascent’ to the peak that is a successful vet school application but with the right planning, preparation and action, there is no reason why you won’t make the summit and enjoy the ultimate high that comes from achieving that which you’ve been dreaming of. Go and climb that mountain!

Vet School Success

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Challenges Ahead