D-155 - The Journey Starts Here

The Destination

In a little over 5 months, the World Icosathlon Championships begins in Turnhout, Belgium.  I last competed in the 2013 championships in Yeovil, England, and much to my surprise, won my M50 age group category scoring a very modest 8929 points.  I was unable to defend the title in 2015 due to injury, but in May I turn 55, so a new challenge awaits.

After a nondescript 2016, winter training was starting to improve and I entered the British Indoor Pentathlon Championships.  Then just 10 days before the event, my left ankle flared up after some speed training leaving me unable to walk for two days.  I took part nevertheless, and started with a near-to-PB performance in the hurdles (that's not saying much, BTW) before the pain returned, and I had to quit.

Joint Mice

My feet have been a pain for several years so I bit the bullet, saw a consultant and had some MRI scans.  Worryingly, there wasn't much wrong with the left foot, but the right had significant damage, and there was a suspicion of loose bodies, or 'joint mice' as they're affectionately known.

 

Yesterday was the day of reckoning. Two hours out cold while my left ankle was pumped with steroids to shut it up, and from my right ankle the joint mice were evicted - a pair as it turns out.  Some judicious hacking away of superfluous bone finished the job, and now I'm all glued back together again, thankfully without the need for the terrifyingly-titled microfractures.  That's supposed to mean recovery will be quicker.

The New Feet

 

It's funny how the consultant says one thing, and you hear another.  I'm sure I was expecting to be driving by tomorrow and back on the track in a few weeks time.  However, I got a very stern look when I suggested I'd drive to my follow up appointment in a fortnight.  I fear this may be a long and winding road to Turnhout...