Sometimes facing reality can be very hard. I see it, know it’s
there, know the truth, but choose to ignore it and probably hope it will go
away or change. It rarely works this way…
The reality I’m facing (but not looking at) right now is
that the knee I fell on two weeks ago will not be able to do the distances
required for me to go do the Comrades Marathon this year. I have to be smart about
this.
The knee looks good now, but I can feel it is not 100%. I
need it to be 100%. It is definitely still bruised on the inside. I was supposed to do a 60km training run this weekend and
there is no way that I can do that now. So I have to make the decision now.
I really don’t want to have a “terrible battling through it”
Comrades that leaves me sore and maybe even injured for the weeks afterwards. My
main goals are all in the second half of the year. Comrades has never been a
main goal for me. My plans for the next 3 to 5 years don’t include Comrades and
that’s why I thought of throwing it in this year.
So I’m making the difficult decision now to withdraw from
the Comrades and move my focus to the other challenges ahead.
My main goals for the year are:
- Num-Num Trail – 3 August
- Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge – 7 September
- Otter Trail Challenge – 23 & 24 September
- Brau Haus Trail Run – 12 October
- Skyrun Lite - 16 November
I have one more road race on 5 May that I will do. It’s a
32km (20miler) that I entered long ago so I will still do it. After that my
focus will move to the trails…yay!!!
Happy running my friends!
Sorry your knee is not recovering as quickly as you might have hoped, bug probably a very smart decision that will allow you to meet your goals the rest of the year.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling 100% soon!!
Ouch that looks like it really hurts. Love your outlook.. seeing what's ahead and focusing on the goals. :)
ReplyDeleteThat stinks that you have to make that decision, but I know your heart is with the trails, not the road. I think you're making absolutely the right call, bc I know you'd regret it so much if you missed out in your target races just to gut out Comrades. It'll still be there next year. :)
ReplyDeleteSO sorry that you have to sit out Comrades - your training has been going so well up to now! But I think it's a wise decision - God willing, there's always next year. Enjoy the trails!
ReplyDeleteI hope you knee feels better soon
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the knee Johann. Sounds like you made a sound logical decision. A great season ahead of you still. Heal up quickly :)
ReplyDeletebummer. but you made the right decision.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a smart but hard decision. Good for you. The focus on the rest of the year is good. I took a picture for you this morning. It'll be up later.
ReplyDeleteDifficult decision but I think you cannot damage more your injured knee.
ReplyDeleteBut, as we say, the hope is always the last to die. Good luck.
Dropping a race is always a tough call. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteShoot!! That is not good about the knee. :( Did you trip on a trail?
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that dropping Comrades is a tough decision, but smart to do, considering the timing and all you have ahead as more important goals.
Well, I am sure you will do a superb job as a virtual cheerleader. Get better, Johann!
Oh, I'm very sorry to hear this I know Comrades is special to you. That said, I respect the fact that you respect your body and are not going to push through it. Smart!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wise decision and I'd also pick trails over roads anytime!
ReplyDeleteYou made the right and aware choice, Johann. You have time: you can reach those five interesting goals in the second half of the year.
ReplyDeleteI Hope your knee wll be better soon!
A hard decision but ultimately the most sensible. Rest well, train harder.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that your knee is not healing as quickly as you had hoped!! I hope it continues to heal and you get back to tip top shape!
ReplyDeleteSo smart to not push on when you don't feel 100%. I hope it heals faster!
ReplyDeleteSorry you're not running Comrades - I know that had to be a tough decision for you, but I'm confident you're doing what's best for you. Best wishes with all your other events.
ReplyDeleteI'm disappointed for you but you're making the right and sensible decision. So much about running injuries is timing and unfortunately you didn't get it quite right when you fell over.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your injury is not healed. However, if trading 1 race, Comrades, lets you heal so you can do those other 5 races, seems like a good trade-off. Heal well!
ReplyDeleteRunners don't make smart decisions, So it looks like your have a bit or human in you...
ReplyDeleteMe I would say it was to soon to make a call on the Big C, but 10 years ago when I last ran it I never did any 60km training runs.
Tough decision but a wise one. Definitely the best thing for the sake of your other races. :)
ReplyDeleteI know that was a hard decision Johann but I think it was the right one. You have so many other great races to look forward to! Keep healing!
ReplyDeleteWell, damn, that knee is not good...but you are a smart guy and been running for enough years to know what your injuries will and will not allow you to do. Sounds like even though the decision was hard to make, it was the right one for the long road ahead of racing. Hope that knee heals up quickly...you have some very tough stuff coming up and need to get back on those trails!!!
ReplyDeleteTake care, Johann!
Ooh, your poor knee! Sorry that it's making you drop a race, but it sounds like you are making a smart decision.
ReplyDeleteHope it heals up quickly for you, inside and out.