THE TIME IS NIGH

As the time draws nigh glooming a cloud,
A dread beyond of I know not what darkens me.
I shall go forth,
I shall traverse the States awhile, but I cannot tell whither or how
long,
Perhaps soon some day or night while I am singing my voice will
suddenly cease.
O book, O chants! must all then amount to but this?
Must we barely arrive at this beginning of us? - and yet it is
enough, O soul;
O soul, we have positively appear'd - that is enough.

Yeah man….so nine days away from the biggest event in my life other then my marriage and I completely stuff it up.

I went to run a 10 km road race as part of my taper to the 5 day 5 marathon run, nothing really special about this race, done it so many times before. It was a good run although no one seemed interested in a sub 1:30 bus so at 9 km I ditched the flag and did my own run.



That is when, excuse the expression, the shit hit the fan, as I took the turn to come into the finish I lost contact with the ground, reason ? Who knows, and down I went AGAIN….I hit the ground hard, I took a second and got up thinking NO MAN….I looked down and saw the dark red blood spewing from an open wound on my right leg, my chest hurt, right hand was also bleeding….well now what…finish the race, I ran off to the finish, took my medal (which is now actually covered in blood) and walked up to my car, I was covered in dust and sand, bleeding away.

My wife saw me walking to her and she let out a gasp, I just said DON’T SAY A BLOODY WORD….I didn’t want to know anything, just get to my ldv and get my paramedic kit. I needed to access the damage to myself.

I cleaned off the grin and grit to reveal a very deep wound just above my knee, bone and tendon visible, of course it would not stop bleeding. Right side chest ribs bruised, luckily not cracked or broken, because I can move my arms without stabbing pains in the chest and I can breathe deeply without discomfort. Right hand open to the meat again.



You know my heart sank there, I have been looking forward to this 5 day 5 marathons for at least eight months, I have trained for it and a stupid little fall at a insignificant race could cost me this race, the race of all races.
Off to the mediclinic and the doctor confirms my fears “You will need stitches my boy and no running for you for at least two weeks.”

So here I am sitting around, leg raised and totally demoralised. Plan of action, Saturday I will go do a 10 km walk and see how the wound reacts, if it is good then baby it is next stop Hekpoort if not next stop a caravan park in the Drankensburg, hey I am on leave so might as well make the best of it.

My wife has been a totally rock for me, she has really stood by me through this and I can be the worst patient you could ever ask for. Thank you my love….