Plotted months ago training around Knysna leading into the Xterra there during the Oyster festival. Ruth became more excited for the days there than me for mayday sweets after a long ride. The crash changed my plans, but decided to steal away for a few days all the same, to show Ruth some of South Africa most exquisite coastline.
Flat mate Courtney and his girl Nikki, joined in our excitement headed 4 hours north east. Such a stunning time to, with winter rainfall season in the Cape, all farmlands were lush green at the foot of the Langeberg mountains stretching across our entire journey. Simply stunning, this country of my skull.
First night out made for hilarious moments, as a mutual friend had arranged a small room for us to stay in Sedgefield. It looked like one that could and would be rented by the hour. Trekked to Knysna in the morning, and eventually onward to Keurbooms for the night. Good weather, good laughs, good sights, just painful not being able to get out and about.
Came back early, to support a few friends paddling the Berg river marathon, starting in Paarl. Really enjoying the thrill of following the day as it unfolded, taking splits, rushing to the next point. 240km of paddling over four days. It’s a race integrally a part of my existence, with my father having mastered it many times. I spent childhood years dreaming of this race in the wake of his legacy, and dream of some day, putting it on my hit list.
Kept the ticket I booked to the first of the Jeep Msinsi multisport races in Natal this weekend, to spend time with Ruth in Natal for a week. In-law time, time with friends of Ruth’s, of my own, and possibly even connect with some of my sponsors in Durban. Ending with a drive down in Ruth’s car. Hoping to via the coast, through the old Transkei, down through Garden Route again.
On the more serious side of my current 10am wake up life, I had my midway check up earlier today. Twas a significant blow to my morale to put it mildly. The bone is slightly displaced, meaning two corners protrude on either side. It could mean a second op some time down the line. In the short term, the bone seems to have started healing, but only just. It’s one of the trickiest bones in the body, and healing happens from one side only, as there is no blood flow to the ‘broken off’ bit, taking longer than conventional breaks.
Means a definite nine weeks in a cast, with time in a brace thereafter as best case, potentially 13 weeks in cast, with time in a brace thereafter, and worst case, a second op and starting over. Assuming this means no racing till October, and that my illusionary hopes of racing mid August and early Sep are not meant to be. Trying to see light in all, reason in the turmoil, but for today, little seems evident. Tomorrow is always a new day though, and trust my emotions will bounce, as my body will in good time.
Been ticking over a small bit on the soul destroying turbo, run a few times, and swam twice. My fear is secondary injury from being unaligned physically and out of symmetry. Alas.
Ending on a positive, time with Ruth has been incredible. And there’s been much of it. My Sweetlove.
