“You never know who you are and what you are
until you’ve really been tested”
Dr Beck Weathers

The last 4 months have been extremely difficult. Over that period I have had to cope with the regret and disappointment of not having run Comrades 2008. It has been harder to come to terms with than any other sporting event I have participated in.

The frustration of injury and the fact that the sports doctor and multiple Physios who have seen me haven’t been able to really help me much has made the whole process that much harder. A sportsperson without hope finds it hard to dream about the future (well I do anyway! Not knowing whether I could continue running plays havoc with the mind!)

Another terrible consequence of this whole ordeal has been the weight gain! Since May 2008, I have picked up 11 kilos!!! Fat is everywhere! Especially around the belly (there are no abs to be seen) and you could pick me up by the handles on my sides now! Suddenly my pants are struggling to go on comfortably now! My upper body is bigger which is not the worst thing for the male ego but it definitely needs refining. It’s amazing how quickly you put on weight, and how slowly it takes to go away. I feel like I’m a contestant on the biggest loser!

Late December has seen me start exercising again. A few sick days around new years was not the start I was looking for, but the groundwork for a new, improved Sanjay Deva is on the go. I aim to start slowly (I certainly can’t go quick even if I want to!) and build up. Consistency is the main focus this time around. I have been struggling with a some patellofemoral discomfort around the right knee, and then bilateral shin pain which is really limiting my running (maybe it’s from all the extra weight!).
The mind is starting to feel refreshed and the hunger, determination and dreaming is coming back.

“Failure is the opportunity
to begin again more intelligently”
Henry Ford