March 2010

[Antonio247]

Managed a couple of local plods this week and a round of golf (to successfuly defend my Mad March Juggs trophy at Hever Castle GC) on Friday. Woke up early yesterday for ParkRun only to feel an ugly burn in my right foot. Experience tells me I've damaged (bruised? torn?) my right plantar muscle. I've no doubt golf was a contributing factor; there's a fair bit of torque put through the right foot when executing a full swing (I'll explain that to you later SP) with the plantar bearing the brunt.

If only bruised this is no biggie; a few days rest with some gentle rolling over a golf ball (oh the irony) will see me right. If more serious I'm in trouble and Connemara may become a glorified walk or even a spectator event. C'est la vie. I'm not exactly in great shape following three weeks of swampy chest so perhaps this is all for the best. The fates have conspired to ruin my weekend anyway, a cruel call to jury service landing with an indecent thud on my doormat a while back. Start date: 12th April, slap bang in the middle of our scheduled rehydration. Having deferred already last year I know I cannot do so again. I'm planning a personal hearing to beg for mercy but according to those in the know the best I can hope for is reimbursement for part of my flight. Worst case scenario I will have to fly home on Sunday night.

With EG's race in jeopardy and my own in the balance there may yet be a light at the end of the long, dark tunnel. If running duties are on hold we might have an opportunity to take a serious interest in the finest Dublin/ Galway hostilries to consider our futures.

My main concern is that being a middle-foot injury cycling - and therefore spinning - may be at risk. This would be bad news for the waistline and fitness in general. With a monday evening session looming I'll know soon enough. For now, and against all perceived wisdom, I plan to take the hounds out on a soggy plod in the locale to assess the extent of the damage. More on that soon.

I´m really sorry about both pieces of news, S. I hope you can sort all out and be able to take part at the race in Connemara in just 21 days.

Antonio