Welcome to my Blog about the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I’m aware of how dramatic that sounds but it is the truth.

I’m 32 years old, from the UK and was in good shape until the injury which came without any warning.

The site has been a big help as it’s difficult to take on words of encouragement from people that haven’t had the same experience as you. I just wish I had discovered it sooner as it’s now been just over 4 weeks since I ruptured my Achilles whilst sparring after a kickboxing class.

Despite the fact that I was kickboxing, the movement that led to the injury was a step forwards. No kicking or trying to do anything fancy. Just a simple step.

I was pretty tired after having attended a class and then staying on to spar. I’d actually decided to finish for the day when an instructor asked if I was up for a final round. It’s difficult to say no to any one on one time with an instructor as you learn a lot from it so I put my gloves back on and set a timer for a 3 minute round.

Around half way through the round a loud pop was heard by myself and the instructor and I felt a heavy kick to the back of my right leg which put me straight on the deck. When I looked up, my opponent was nowhere near me and that’s when I realised something serious had happened. I’m the 4th person the gym owner has seen this happen to so I knew pretty early on it was likely to be an ATR.

A couple of the guys from the gym helped me up and took me straight to A&E where I was correctly diagnosed with ATR, put in cast and given an appointment at a fracture clinic in 2 days time.

Thankfully my parents are retired so they were able to collect me from the Hospital and take me home where I waited nervously for my other half to get home from work.

I knew I wasn’t going to be popular for a number of reasons:

1. She has never understood why I push myself when training and isn’t happy when I come home with bumps and bruises.
2. We had booked a long overdue holiday to Cuba just 3 days before my ATR and there’s no way I’d be fit enough to travel.
3. I was going to be off work for a long time - I work on an Oil Rig and won’t be able to return to work until I am completely fit and signed back by an independent medical company. There’s no light duties offshore!

Just as I suspected, she wasn’t best pleased!