HAMPSHIRE under-20 cross-country champion Mark Mercier will be as excited and nervous as anyone on Saturday’s start line for the opening race of the 2008 OSA Recruitment winter cross-country series. Mercier, 19, finally runs competitively again after a nightmare six months and although only 75-per-cent fit - his own assessment - he expects to be at the front end of the field over the Bunker Hill course at L’Ancresse, the first of five championship races in eight weeks.
The Island Games in Rhodes was just one of the events Mercier was forced to sit out.
‘It was very disappointing and frustrating. I tried to do some training in April and May to get fit for it, but my leg was not having any of it,’ he said.
His last competitive race had been the Inter-Counties [cross-country] in Nottingham in March.
But just two months after the best result of his young career, winning the Hampshire under-20 title, his increasingly troublesome left ankle forced him to submit.
‘My ankle just locked and stopped flexing.’
Months of visits to the doctor and physio followed, not to mention a series of X-rays, scans and, ultimately, an MRI scan.
Mercier, who had been an exciting talent as he moved through the colts and then junior age groups, finally got the go-ahead to resume training at the end of August.
He has since been steadily building up his fitness.
‘I’d say I’m probably 25 per cent away from where I want to be. There’s still a bit more to be done in building up the base.
‘We will see how it goes on Saturday, but the aim is to get as close as I can to Steve [Dawes] before the end of the series.’
Then, if all goes well, the aim will be to successfully defend his Hampshire title.
While Mercier is on the comeback trail locally, Guernsey’s most successful ever junior athlete is finally on the mend in the UK.
Twice English schools sprint hurdles champion Kylie Robillard is putting her own injury nightmares behind her in Loughbrough.
A tendon problem in her right foot wrecked her 2007 track season and, like Mercier, she missed the trip to Rhodes where, on form, she would have been hot favourite to take the 100m hurdles gold.
She was forced to wait months for the MRI scan which finally highlighted the problem and after a lengthy period of rest, the problem foot has improved to the extent that she can resume full training.
‘I’ve had a couple of sessions so far and it seems to be holding up OK,’ said the GB junior.
‘The only big issue is my confidence.’
And given that the past three years have seemingly been one injury after another, it is hardly surprising that her confidence is low.
‘Each session I hurdle it seems to get better,’ said the 19-year-old.
‘It is still sore after sessions but it is not enough to stop me.’
Given her recent injuries, the former La Mare de Carteret schoolgirl is not building up her hopes too much.
‘Essentially I’m just looking to get fit and enjoy myself. I will just see what happens.
‘I want to run in the 13s again, but I’m not going to expect big things.’
Next season will see her move up to under-23 level where the competition will be hotter than ever.
‘I’m going to be up against a tough field. Up against anyone who is any good.’
Good luck girl. You deserve it.
Loading ...
Share this article:
What are these?