Athlone – the disappointment

“I am in a glass case of emotion right now”

That’s a line from a ‘words, quotes and lyrics’ game that Bryan Keane sometimes play  - I was able to get it into an interiew in Athlone ! ‘Coconuts’  and “at the end of the day all credit to preparation”  are still on the list though.

I travelled home early from a training base in Switzerland last Tuesday as I had become worried about a pain in the side of my knee. I had not been able to shift it through a few days rest and the usual icing, massage and ‘rubbing creams’ . . not even the magic magnet had an effect.

I called Irish National Coach Chris Jones

” I have a problem, I have booked the next flight home tomorrow, I arrive at 5pm”

“I will make a call, have you picked up and you will be seen before dinner”  was his responce. Words that not every elite athlete is lucky enough to hear. Physio care and expertise from Deidre Burrell that not many athletes are lucky to have. I landed in Dublin still confident I would race the European Champs.

Ill wake up in the morning and it will be fine I’d think to myself for the next few days. Those were disappointing days.

In Athlone and around the Irish team hotel there was excitment in the air. However my confidence decreased with each passing coffee.

The more time I spent in the town center the more I wanted to race. I always have such great support in Athlone and when I race at home in Ireland. Everyone I met would wish me good luck.  I knew my knee was not improving fast enough however.

On Saturday morning I was assessed again – I lied when asked did I feel any pain during a half squat. I went out on my bike to warm up and felt pain in the first pedal stroke. I pedalled for 10 mins more hoping it would magically go away. Pain at 150 watts, pain at 350 watts. For some reason I then tried a run . . .. poetically it began to rain.

I went through the full range of emotions on Friday and Saturday. Hope but mostly denial. I was even more moody than normal ! I caught a World Cup recap on TV and even shouted at Englands Emile Heskey – I always shout at the Tv when he comes for some reason – he had fallen on Rio Ferdinands knee and put him out of action – somehow I’d try to blame him for my own pain. Heskey. He makes me so mad. Although I did see him later on that day in a skirt winning Wimbledon. Good for you Emile . . .

Under the guidance of Team phyiso Deidre Burrell and support from SINI physio Dave Minion I pulled out of the race. Disappointing of course but in the long run I know it was the correct decision. Had the race had not of been in Ireland I would probably not even have considered trying to race.

Later on that day I stepped out of my own little bubble and felt the race excitment again as Emma Davis and Aileen Morrison led the lead bike pack up the hill from Seans Pub. I could hear the roar 5 mins before I could see them. Ilovethatshit.