You can't get there alone!

While I'm still savouring the great experience(s) that came from participating in the 2016 ENDURrun I was reminded of some unfinished business.

I haven't given credit where credit is due.

While benefiting from the great post-stage massages each day (thanks to Colin and his team from KW Health Connection) I recall having a conversation about the massive scar on the back of my right heel.  It's result of a complete Achilles tendon rupture that I suffered in 2007 and the resulting (semi-emergency) surgery that followed.  Noting to Dr. Colin (who was massaging me on that particular day/stage) that I haven't had any residual pain, tightness or limitation since the completed rehab process and that I'd successfully completed 10+ marathons and a few ultramarathons on my surgically-repaired Achilles tendon he suggested to me that I need to be sure to go back and thank those health professionals who helped get me back on my feet.

And so having completed my first 160km ENDURrun, it's time to do just that.

I have to give the first shout-out to the team at D Freer & Associates here in Barrie - I was referred to their sports medicine doctor by the attending physician at the emergency department since his determination was that I'd only had a partial rupture of my Achilles tendon.  With instructions in hand to visit a sports med doc a week later I stepped into the offices at D Freer and after about a 5 minute consult was told to wait in the exam room ... and moments later the doctor came back to let me know that surgery was booked for me the next day since it was without a doubt a complete rupture.  His astonishment at the emergency attendant's 'incompetence' was classic and his ability to leverage his influence to get me into the operating room so quickly made all of the difference in terms of my prognosis.

The second shout-out is a repeater to Dr. John O'Sullivan, the orthopedic surgeon who pleated my tendon back together (all while I read a book on the operating table thanks to a well-administered epidural) and saw me throw the phases of rehab.  I can't say enough about how he under-promised (suggesting perhaps a return to 80% strength) and over-delivered.  Again, the scar may look gnarly (thanks to the week delay in proper diagnosis) but it makes for great storytelling, and it's helped me bust out a ton of running miles.

Now you know ... it may take a village to raise a child, but it also takes a team to (re)build a runner.

You can't get there alone!