Exclusive: How Her Medical Text Books And Sainsbury’s Shopping Bags Kept Sarah Abrams Pulling Her Weight During Lockdown

Exclusive by Owen Morgan

Sarah Abrams can put away her Sainsbury’s shopping bags and train with a proper set of weights over the next month – thanks to support from Welsh Athletics.

During the last lockdown, the final year Imperial College, London, medical student filled two reinforced shopping bags with her heaviest books and attached them to a lifting bar to fashion a set of weights as she trained in her bedroom.

But as England returns to lockdown, the would-be doctor can return her medical tomes to their intended studying purpose.

The 27-year-old long jumper Dai Sport: “I moved into a flat in September to save a bit of money, so I don’t really have the space or the scope to be lifting the Sainsbury’s bags anymore!

“So what I’ve done instead is levelled up this lockdown and hired a garage just around the corner from me.

“I’ve been very, very fortunate that Welsh Athletics are going to support me with equipment.

“Sport Imperial are going to support me with a little bit of equipment as well, so I’m essentially trying to build my own gym.”

During the height of the first national lockdown, Welsh Athletics posted a video recording a day in the life of Abrams as she combined her medical studies with volunteering on a maternity ward and improvised strength and condition sessions in her backyard and bedroom.

The Sainsbury’s shopping bags Sarah filled with her heaviest books to use as weights.

Abrams says: “Through the first lockdown I was fortunate that there was a track reasonably close that was open. So running wise we were able to fit a lot in, but what I really lacked was strength work.

“The Sainsbury’s bags were really good and they actually worked really well, but they had their limits to how useful they were and obviously they were quite cumbersome.

“I was really keen to not lose what I had gained in the last couple of months back in the gym, so I am finding a way around that by trying to pool together as many resources as I can.

“I think it’s good in a way because of the actual process. I decided I was going to do this on Monday and now I have a gym ready to go for today.

Sarah Abrams in action in Cardiff. Pic: Owen Morgan

“So in three days I’ve rallied it and I think it gives me a lot of motivation having done that because it’s a challenge and it’s a bit adventurous.

“It just gives a bit of impetus because it’s easy to just sit back and think the situation is dire and miserable, everybody is miserable, so having this as a bit of a focus has geed me up a little bit I guess.”

The national indoor long jump champion has praised the all-round support supplied to fellow Welsh athletes by the sport’s governing body during the pandemic.

Abrams also singled out Welsh Athletics’ national talent development coordinator for humps and combined events, Fyn Corcoran, for particular praise.

“I literally cannot put into words how grateful I am,” she said. “I have to give all credit to the whole of Welsh Athletics.

Sarah Abrams competing at the British Championships in Manchester. Pic: British Athletics/via Getty Images

“But in particular to Fyn Corcoran. He’s got lots of athletes to look after, he’s got his own family to look after and he is supporting me no end, and all from afar.

“There are no boundaries for him and I think that is amazing. I feel super-duper supported, even just people checking in to make sure you’re ok.

“But they even go as far to offer help finding equipment and what not. I don’t think there are many governing bodies and individuals who would provide that kind of support.

“So it makes a world of difference and I do feel really fortunate because I realise I’m not in the best location to be supported by Welsh Athletics, but I don’t feel like I am left out, which is really good.

“I really can’t stress enough how grateful I am to Welsh Athletics, I don’t think I would be able to carry on without that support, so that is really important.

Sarah Abrams on her way to the Welsh indoor title and a new personal best in Cardiff earlier this year. Pic: Owen Morgan

“I am sure you have interviewed others who know about the support we’re getting, and Fyn does zoom sessions maybe three or four times a week. He has been doing it religiously since March.

“It’s such a good atmosphere, such a good motivation and I don’t think I have ever seen him look like he doesn’t want to be there.

“I am sure there are times when he would rather be having a cup of tea and sit in front of the TV or get his own training done, or spend time with his family.

“He is always there, so enthusiastic and I always think “what an asset”. I think it’s amazing.”