I have been considering writing something for some time and even when I decided to write it, I wasn’t really sure what angle to approach this.
I have been playing hockey my entire life and at one stage I was semi-decent. I have plied my trade in the Northern’s masters league for a few years now, for the group of bandits known as the Potters. I have struggled for the last few years to find my passion for it and I could feel that fitness was just never going to be the same. Last year I was chosen to play for the over 35 provincial team but had to pull out due to a string of injuries that I chose to ignore, rather than to manage. I had a suspicion that my time was up, despite having retired a few times before.
At the beginning of the year I was gungho on getting back into running and was really enjoying the exercise and the awesome community that comes with it. I remember feeling pain in my ITB and immediately contacting my physio, Slade, to arrange a session to get my fixed. After the second session, when nothing was better I saw my GP who sent me to a chiro who sent me for a MRI etc etc etc etc.
Long story short, I was sent for an arthroscopy last Thursday to fix some wear and tear. The doc confirmed that I had cartilage damage from years of usage and my knees were naturally structured in such a way that could lead to long term kak. The doc, the physio and my GP have all said that hockey and running are not recommended over the long term to reduce the need for a knee op in the not-so-far future.
This is a bit of a guy punch because running (not good at it) is very therapeutic and is an important part of my ‘not telling people to fuck off’ routine. Overnight, all of this was put in jeopardy. Luckily, according to the doc, I can cycle and swim. For those of you that don’t know me, I was at the back of the line when god handed out swimming ability and cycling is as boring as watching paint dry. I am now on crutches (thanks Gay Hewitson) for the next week or so and I am doing my rehab to the best of my ability.
I went through a bit of a depression thinking that I can’t run again and that I might be forced to cycle. Luckily I have had a very good nurse and Ian has kissed it better. I fully intend on running in small capacities again, but hockey is a no-go. Sad knowing that I was forced to stop as opposed to wanting to stop. That being said I am looking at different avenues on how I can contribute back into the game so watch this space.