A bracing return to rugby September 8, 2008

Yesterday was our first run out of the rugby season and it was also my first game back since a horrid knee injury in October last year. (Boo to knees, by the way – they don’t look pretty, they aren’t well designed, they are tweaked easily.  Me no like.)

I’ve been rehabbing like a maniac to try and get the knee back up to fitness and to avoid an operation (which is really icky for my injury, don’t cha know), and finally I got the chance to step back on the beloved pitches of Olney yesterday.  Unfortunately our opposition could only bring 10 players – but after a bit of lending and muddling through, we were on.

Honestly? I was crapping myself with nerves at this first game back.  I had three lucky trips to the toilet that morning (work that out yourself, people) and had carbo loaded so much that I’m sure Michael Phelps would have been proud of me.  The game started ok, although I knew in my mind that I being a bit of a wimp and was holding back.

I find irritation with oneself is good motivation to change so after an internal conversation involving the mantra “do it, fucking do it!” (hat tip to Robyn for that one) I was re-charged.  The next time I got the ball I ignored everyone else outside me shouting for it (hmmm. They had lots of space.  I was facing a wall of defence. Tunnel vision perhaps?) and boshed it.  I managed to get through a few tacklers and over the line for one of the sweetest tries I’ve ever scored.  The game got better as my confidence grew and faith in the knee meant I could forget about it.  I’m also keen to forget about my attempts at conversions (one out of three)!

I have better hair than Peter Richards

The second half brought me another try as I managed to slip through a gap and find myself with the best part of half a pitch, empty, in front of me.  At full fitness, this is a dream scenario.  On return from injury?  Nightmare.  “Sodding hell” I thought – I’ve got to bloody run now.  Try line beckoning, I was off, and managed it. Hoopla!

Today, I’m feeling good. I even went for a lunchtime run.  But I think the fearfulness will be back in 2 weeks as we have our first league game, and then the following week face the British Army rugby triallists.  Now those will be a test – if I come through those intact, I reckon I’m fixed for the season (touching wood, crossing fingers – crossing arms, legs and eyes as well).

Back into the fold with a bosh August 14, 2008

Last night was the first contact rugby training I’ve done for the best part of a year, and I must admit I was pooping myself when it came to the crunch out on the pitch.  The knee is feeling ok and I did my strengthening up exercises before impact stuff, hopping about and squatting like a loony-tune to try and get the muscles ready for a bosh.

Anyway, the exercises did the trick and I started the drills ok, although I was shaking a wee bit before going in (I’ve never been that nervous, what a wuss!).  The prospect of horror is so much worse than the real thing isn’t it?  Got through the one on one drills and towards the end started getting tackled on the injured knee side – I survived.
Then it was into full impact with us split into two teams, one defence and one attack. I started in defence and was hesitant at first (and then was annoyed that I was hesitant).  My chance came later and I put in a tackle on my sister, and then through instinct jumped back up to make another as the winger from the attacking side was there in support and looking to go.

Twisting round and tackling, my knee made a pop and there it was – the familiar, intense pain.  This time though, I got straight up and after walking it off a wee bit, carried on.  It was nerve-wracking but best to crack on, so I got stuck into attack this time.  I took a good few tackles and came out unscathed so finished the session with immense positivity, believing, at last, I am fixed!!
On return home I iced and rested and stretched. Today is when I’m feeling it though, after yesterday’s euphoric survival – today, hour by hour the affected knee has been steadily stiffening up and I just had to pop to the loo and stretch out my hamstring and calf, as it’s feeling so tight.  I guess I just haven’t been boshed for a while!  Hopefully a few more sessions full on will build my strength back up and get my confidence back on track.  I need to be up for running through people, hitting the oppo hard and making big tackles.  I have to get my place in the team back (although, having played centre for years – do I need a change? where might that be?) Only 3 weeks to our first game…

Knee news is good news July 24, 2008

Yesterday was Knee-D-Day, with the consultant’s final (for now) verdict on the gammy knee.  It’s not been too bad lately and I have been a demon with my physio so feeling strong (although still wibbly when on heels – maybe that’s just me).

In anticipation of the worst, I’d psyched myself up for an operation as I figured some wobbling wasn’t right, right?  Apparently not!  Consultant man did a few tests, including one test where the upper and lower leg are moved in opposition.  The gammy knee was pretty bad on this but then the Prof moved to my (apparently) non gammy knee and found that although minor, this knee also slid around a bit on the test.  Conclusion? I have freaky knees.

The other thing that the consultation revealed is that my physio is a grass. I’d confided to him that I’d twatted my knee whilst moshing to ‘Baggy Trousers’ wearing high heels on rugby tour.  Physio man, lovely though he is, had actually written this (pretty much word for word) into his report so my Consultant read it out, put the letter down, sighed, raised his eyebrows…but then admitted Baggy Trousers was indeed a top tune. Whatta guy!

The upshot anyway, of all the prodding and testing, is that Consultant man wants me to keep on with physio and get back into rugby training. Good to have no op, but mixed feelings about this.

One part of me = Slightly scared by the thought of bundling, as I’ve not done any rugger since November 2007.  Gulp.

The other part of me = Ecstatic that I can go and KICK SOME ASS again.  Can’t wait to pile in.

So, I guess time will tell and come August, when we start contact training, the knee will be properly tested.  The Prof says I have to contact him again in September to let him know how I get on.  Here’s seriously hoping that the knee stands up to it – otherwise, it’s deffo operation time and that just freaks me OUT!

“Sorry, can’t play Sunday – I’m ovulating” July 15, 2008

My rugby mate has just sent me a link to this article, which warns that ACL injuries (see my woes here) can be linked to womens’ menstrual cycles. She’s damaged her back and her physio advised her, quite literally I understand, to avoid playing rugger whilst ovulating. Is this for real? It isn’t 1st April is it?

The article says: “The study finds that women are nearly three times more likely to injure their ACL during ovulation” – so that means that my knee got twatted when I was being fertile. Really? No – REALLY? Is it that we are more vulnerable around this time? Or are we more moody and thus likely to pile into sports to release tension, hence risking injury? The answer is unknown – researchers say it’s “still a mystery”. Women = mystery. No change there then.

I’m struggling to take this seriously, although my mate may be more cautious (she has had 3 back operations, after all – can’t be too careful when your menstrual cycle’s involved). But really. Can you imagine our coaches’ faces when we announce, “sorry, can’t play Sunday – I’m ovulating.” That has to be the best/craziest/most bizarre excuse yet for missing a game, surely?

“An episode of instability” May 23, 2008

Not my words, and no – not referring to my state of mind either, thanks!

My physio’s assessment of Saturday night, when I twatted my gammy knee whilst moshing to Madness.

The good news is, it’s not as bad as I thought and although a set back, he reckons I can still avoid an operation.

The bad news, I’m not allowed to dance in high heels, so with a wedding party looming tommorrow night, I’m now off to scout out some suitably glam flat shoes to boogy in…

The weekend ahead: good, bad, ugly March 14, 2008

Good thing:  A lady at work is selling me a wobble board, trampette, ankle weights and stepper – all for £20!  My physio will be well impressed and I am promising myself I shall not leave them in a back room with washing hung on them…

Bad thing:  mates are now coming over tonight to watch Sport Relief on t’box and I’m doing a big curry cook up.  House a tip, no food in the fridge and it all starts at 7pm.

Ugly thing: potentially – me, after beers, on wobble board, with curry…..not a good combo! (and then there’s the hangover as well…)

Feeling blue – my knee is boo February 13, 2008

Bad news today, after an MRI scan the Prof told me I’ve torn my cruciate in my right knee. Dammit! I knew I was a bit wibbley and couldn’t ‘do the twist’ very well at the Chrimbo parties, but this is a blow.

It means I’m no longer able to play rugby this season, plus if it doesn’t heal with mega physio, it’s operation time (and another season out).  Breaking my leg was less of a nightmare, at least I was back doing sport within 10 weeks (altho I had a nasty, weedy, hairy leg when it emerged from plaster)!!

Ho hum. Deffo need to find an alternative outlet for my pent up aggression – swimming and cycling doesn’t really hit the spot and I’m not keen on just punching bags as my arms are prone to bulking up and looking manly.

Hmmm, lateral thinking needed here.  Wonder if there’s a wheelchair basketball side I can sign up to?