Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 97, August 2017 | Page 27

Never Say
NEVER
My Story
Ma
was told the only way I could continue training was to
undergo a second ACL reconstruction, with up to 18
months rehab, or I would never compete in anything
again. I was given a dose of cortisone which reduced
the swelling and was told to book in for surgery. I rode
the Argus.
From there, I went on to complete my first Ironman,
following a number of shorter distance races, got into
trail running and to date have completed over 200
races, ranging from open water swims, trail, road, bike
and triathlons. I might be pig-headed, but I refused
to believe surgery was the only route to recovery. I
worked with my personal trainer to strengthen all the
muscles around the knee in order to keep it stable,
and while there have been a few hiccups along the
way, I haven’t allowed it to define me and keep me
back. In the last couple of years, I also qualified as a
yoga instructor and the improved core strength has
also kept me racing.
SHOULD BE FASTER…
From time to time the knee still swells up, but rest, ice
and respecting my body has kept me going, although
recently, I’ve scaled back my racing as my business
has taken off and I don’t have as much time to train.
Having podiumed a few times and usually been near
the top end of the finishers’ table, I thought I
would find it difficult to take things easy. But I
did… so easy, in fact, that I’m now often seen
walking trail races!
It has been an incredible journey from
racing snake to being just another person
in the crowd. I had to contend with the
‘judgey’ voice in my own head that told
me to push harder, to think about the
expectation of those knowing you are in
the race and were once a medal contender.
Would I be teased from hero to zero? And
do you know what? You get just as much of
a cheer from the crowds coming last as you do
first. You can admire the view and take in your
surroundings. You make friends along the way and
you are still out there enjoying yourself.
I believe that you should never
let anybody tell you that “you
will never do this again,” because
if you really want it, you can do
it. – BY SU-YEN THORNHILL
F
or the last 10 years I haven’t had an anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL). For those who don’t
know what it is, it’s basically an essential bit
of the knee that holds it in place, and most medical
professionals will say that without reconstruction you
are looking at a permanent disability, arthritis, pain
and muscle deterioration. About 20 years ago I fell
down some stairs and went over my knee. As you
well know, that joint only bends one way, so you can
imagine the agony when I flipped it. I had already
ruptured the ACL in a lacrosse injury a few months
prior and thereafter my knee would literally buckle and
leave me in agony. I had the reconstruction and it was
good for 10 years before I tore it again playing netball.
It was then that I moved to South Africa and was
introduced to the multitude of outdoor sports available
here, including trail running and triathlons. I set my
sight on an Ironman and began my journey into the
world of endurance training. I was 36 years old, and
at first my knee was okay, but on my first 21km run,
I overenthusiastically dashed towards the finish and
sprinted on tired legs. There weren’t any obvious signs
of distress to begin with, but the following day, while
I was walking in the supermarket, my knee suddenly
felt extremely stiff and within minutes it was swollen
to five times its normal size.
LASTING EFFECT
I didn’t give it much thought, as over the years I’ve
learned to live with it being a bit temperamental, but
after three days of it remaining swollen, and with the
Argus Cycle Tour looming in 10 days, I decided to seek
advice. After an MRI at the Rosebank Sports Clinic, I
I still like to compete if I’m fit and strong, but I also want
to be moving for the rest of my life, and if I have learned
anything these past few years, it’s that life is movement…
and never let anybody tell you otherwise. Whatever your
age, you can still get out there and walk.
About the Author
Su-yen is a Johannesburg-based life coach, medical
microbiologist and self-taught chef, as well as an
ultra trail runner and Ironman triathlete. She teaches
vinyasa yoga and brings to her practice all her life
experiences to create an uplifting, soul-enhancing
yoga experience. She will also take on any challenge,
as she doesn’t understand the word ‘no.’
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