Just One More

When your body tries to tell you something, listen. You ignore it at your peril.

- Solly Malatsi

I DON’T RECALL the exact moment I sustained my injury. I’d just finished a 20km run, on a glorious day in February; there had been no crack or niggle. My preparation for the Comrades had been going well, and I already had a sub-four-hour qualifying marathon in the bag.

But later that day, I felt a stinging pain in my right shin. I tested it out at my workplace by walking from the ground floor to the fifth – and it hurt. To be on the safe side, I called my physiotherapist to explain what had happened, and booked a session for the following day. My only concern then was that this was the first time my right leg had acted up.

“Don’t run until I’ve assessed the damage,” she warned. “It could be worse than it feels. Don’t take chances, Solly.”

Half-heartedly, I promised her: I wouldn’t run.