Like the title says, there is nothing new happening with me. But I have a lot to say.
I finished my online course, volunteered at a race this weekend (forgot about my condition and accidentally ran a few steps..oops), keep watching the Olympics to see Canada win its first medal (by the weekend for sure), and try to keep healing from my ATR.
I sorta hit the wall in the healing process over the past few days. Plenty of soreness and swelling. I had a bit of a slip a few days ago, heard a bit of a click but suddenly the heel pain went any and so did a lot of the tightness. Very eerie! I was just hoping I didn't re-rupture the darn thing. I poked around and the middle section felt softer as compared to the rest of the Achilles so maybe I tore away some scar tissue? So I've been taking it easy and today is tons better.
I had some physio today and he checked out the area and said all was OK. He also thinks I just jarred some scar tissue loose. At any rate we put off the start of my strengthening exercises for another day. This didn't prevent him from doing the super deep and painful massage of the tendon of course.
Since most of my time has been spent watching the Olympics, I wanted to spout out a few comments.
If you have been watching the CBC coverage over the past few days, you probably saw some interviews where a few Canadian athletes were complaining about the Canadian Government's funding. While the funding has improved over the last 1-2 years, it has been too little too late for these Olympics (and for many sports it is still too little).
I agree with the athletes 100%, but only if the Canadian public, media, and government is going to scoff, complain or be ashamed of the medal count at the end of the day. If they expect these athletes to compete at the same level as the rest of the world the need the same support. Canada must decide one way or the other. Either support our athletes properly and make the athletes accountable for their funding (no free handouts - they must meet performance standards, do public speaking, coaching, etc.) or let them go at it alone to find their own deals or fleeing to other countries if need be.
My only disagreement with the athletes comes in the fact that they decided to make athletics their "job" in a badly funded sport society so why am I (the Canadian taxpayer) being made to foot the bill. Does a person wanting to go to University or take a course to get a better job get free government money to do so? Simple answer. No. If I decide to give support athletes I'll donate to a specific sport organization or pay a membership fee in which much of that money goes to support up and coming athletes. I'm sure many potential world class athletes from Canada saw the sad funding situation and chose another path in life.
While I like watching the Olympics, is it that worth it for the government to spend millions of dollars to see Canadians bring home a zillion medals? I admit it would be nice but, no. I really just appreciate the spirit of the competition, seeing their efforts and achieving personal bests, and the many cool and inspiring stories of the athletes. I am proud of their efforts to even make it to the Olympics because it takes major skill, talent, determination, hard work and sacrifice.
This is why if any Canadian brings home a medal of any kind, I admire their efforts even more. I know that they have risen above extreme hurdles to beat the best in the world.
Let's go Canada! Medals will be coming your way soon. And if it doesn't, does it really matter?
If it does to you, then you better contact your local Member of Parliament and complain for Canada to change its system and give more money. Otherwise, don't slag the athletes, keep your mouth shut and enjoy their efforts. Remember, they haven't spent years of training to go to Beijing to be embarrassed. They all want to win and are trying to make Canada, their families and themselves proud.
I'll stop my rant on that note.
Don't forget the Women's Olympic Triathlon - Sunday August 17 @ 10 pm ET, and the Men's race on Monday August 18 @ 10 pm ET. No matter what happens it will be a wicked two days of racing. Go Team Canada!
Til next time.
RH
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