Frustrations of an Injured Athlete

Ok, this is getting really boring now.

2013 was going to be the year I made triathlon my serious focus. I was going to do all the nice local races, I was going to do a few qualifiers for the World and European Triathlon Champs, and I was aiming to be competitive. I was hoping to do a little better than that as well, but it feels daft to even contemplate those aspirations now.

It didn’t sound like an unreasonable plan when I made it. I’ve swum for as long as I can remember, competing till my mid-teens. After that I ran competitively and I’ve been getting better recently, taking almost 3 minutes off my 10km time over the winter.

And my cycling isn’t atrocious, and I put a serious number of hours in on the bike over the winter.

I’d been paying attention to the little things as well, making sure I was stretching and doing strength and conditioning work. Going to yoga and pilates classes each week.

I’d been making a good crack at nutrition as well – ensuring I refuel properly and get enough protein for the amount of training I’m doing.

I was really excited about the triathlon season.

It’s now 2 days before a race I was really looking forward to – the Bristol Harbourside Sprint Tri.

Having been to Uni in Bristol, I was excited about going back to the city and I was geared up to give this race my best shot. With closed roads and a flat fast course I thought I could have a good bike here. And having spent years running along the paths and roads that make up the course I just couldn’t wait to be back on familiar turf. I also felt it was my best chance of qualifying for the World Triathlon Champs which take place in London in September.

So, 2 days before the race, and I’m hobbling round with an injured knee, and following last night’s physio, a very bruised right leg! (In a good way, I think)

For once I’m being sensible and not racing this weekend. I’m absolutely gutted.

My last 4 triathlons have not happened for a couple of reasons. First up was the sinusitis and ear infection and now it’s my first ever knee injury.

The good news is, the injury isn’t serious and I’ve got some exercises I can do to strengthen up and hopefully avoid a recurrence.

I’ve also got the World Duathlon Champs in 7 weeks, so all is not lost! But I do feel like my triathlon season is a bit of a wash-out now. And after all those 6am swim sessions as well!!

The bad news is, I’m so frustrated! I feel like I’ve let myself down and let down everyone who’s supported me while I put so much energy in to doing something which has, so far brought me very little success. I’ve missed two opportunities to qualify for the World Tri Champs, and one to qualify for the European Tri Champs, plus assorted other races I’d been looking forward to. It feels awful right now!

I know this is just the injured athlete speaking, and this time next week I hope to be back training. I could just do with slightly better timing of injuries.

One day I’ll be writing a race report from a triathlon I actually managed to race.

And in 50 days I have the World Duathlon Champs and between now and then I shall be doing all I can to keep illness and injury at bay so I can make it my best race ever.