Well 2016 is here and the countdown has begun until the Olympic Games in Rio De Jenero! It’s been a while since my last post and a lot has happened. I had to end my 2015 athletics season much earlier than planned due to a reoccurring injury on my ankle. At the beginning of August 2015, I made the big decision to go ahead with surgery to fix my ankle once and for all. Prior to going into surgery, my coach and I worked extremely hard to get me as strong and fit as possible, so that returning back to training wouldn’t come as such a big shock to my body.
The surgery went well and I was in a plaster cast for 6 weeks in total. For the first couple of weeks I wasn’t allowed to bear any weight on my leg, so hopping around the house was hard work, especially when I needed to carry a drink somewhere! With the surgery taking place at the beginning of August, it coincided with my teaching summer holiday break which had its pros and cons. It meant that I wasn’t able to drive to visit friends or go on many trips, however, I had lots of visitors and was able to put my feet up and enjoy the World Athletics Championships that took place in China. When I’m not competing, I love watching athletics and this only made me want to get back on the track and in the sandpit more than ever! After watching my close friend, Shelayna Oskan-Clarke, compete and come 5th in the 800m final after training tirelessly for years, I was more motivated than ever.
By the beginning of September, my 6 long weeks in a plaster cast were finally over. I was eager to get back into training and begin building up my strength and fitness, but I quite literally had to take slow steps. After coming out of the cast, I had to train myself to walk properly and not on my toes, let alone run! It’s taken a lot of physiotherapy sessions, rehab sessions, time, perseverance and determination to get back to where I was and I still have a very long way to go. To make sure that I’m fully fit and prepared, it’s most likely that I won’t be competing in the indoor competition season unless it’s towards the very end.
It’s been a long road and a lot of hard work but I hope it all pays off!