Marathon runner Turia Pitt talks about reclaiming her fitness after the horrific bushfire that almost killed her

TURIA Pitt died three times on the operating table after surviving a horrific bushfire. Now she’s training for a 3716km bike ride. You have no excuses.

Turia now lends her voice to inspiring others. Here, she talks to students at Ettalong Pu

TURIA Pitt knows all about determination.

In 2011, the then 24-year-old mining engineer signed up to compete in a 100km ultramarathon in the Kimberley.

The nation was horrified by what happened next. Just after Turia passed the second checkpoint, 25km into the race, she was trapped in an isolated gorge engulfed by a raging bushfire.

There was no escape.

When the flames subsided and Turia was found, she was put in a medically induced coma. She died three times on the operating table.

But as Women’s Health reports, she’s back today and kicking serious arse.

Today, her weekly workout regime rivals any serious athlete. So let her motivate you next time you’re looking for an excuse.

Turia now lends her voice to inspiring others. Here, she talks to students at Ettalong Public School.

As Turia prepares for the 3716km Variety Cycle from Sydney to Uluru, she talks to Australian Women’s Health about reclaiming her fitness.

Women’s Health: What’s been your biggest frustration so far?

Turia Pitt: My elbows had ossified in the fire and that basically meant I couldn’t bend them. If you can’t bend your elbows you can’t scratch yourself, go to the toilet by yourself, feed yourself or even give yourself a drink. All of that was really frustrating.

Confined to wearing a mask during recovery, Turia appears at the West Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into Kimberley Ultramarathon Burns Victims in April, 2012.

WH: Any advice on dealing with down days?

TP: I don’t try to cheer myself up or push negative thoughts to the back of my mind. I just say, “OK, it’s a bad day, you’ve got every right to be pissed off and cranky and upset, but chances are you won’t feel this way tomorrow or next week or next month.” It’s unrealistic to expect to feel happy all the time.

WH: What have you learnt about your body?

TP: Two years ago I couldn’t even get out of bed; now I’m going to the gym, doing yoga, going to the beach. I guess what I’ve learnt is just how much your body can go through and still come back strong.

You can read Turia’s full interview in this month’s issue of Women’s Health Magazine Australia.