Eilish McColgan’s athletics season is finished before it even began.
The Carnoustie runner has revealed that a broken ankle sustained in January has failed to heal properly, and as a result she won’t be able to race at all this year.
It is a cruel blow to the daughter of former World Champion Liz McColgan, and comes on the back of other serious injuries and illness.
The Dundee Hawkhill Harrier, who is the current British champion over the 3,000m steeplechase and ran at the Commonwealth Games and Olympics, has now set her heart on recovering her fitness in time for the build-up to Rio 2016.
McColgan said: “This year is now a complete write-off in terms of competitive performance.
“Initially, we believed this injury would be a small blip in the road meaning six weeks off from running. However, that prognosis gradually worsened, week on week.
“Six became 10, which became 14. Sadly, the fracture has fully extended.
“The area of the ankle I have broken is a particularly problematic area to heal as there is very little blood flow. In my case the break has struggled to heal fully.
“There is nothing I can do except rest and attempt to let the bone heal as impacting the joint will continue to open the fracture.
“The healing becomes less likely as time goes on, so shortly I will find out whether I need to undergo surgery in order to force the bone to heal.”
She added: “it’s important that I stay positive and focus on my longer term goals.
“Missing the World Championships this year is a huge knock but I have to remain calm and optimistic about the future.
“I would do anything to be jogging again, pain free. It’s such a basic wish but you don’t realise how much you’ll miss it, until it’s taken away from you.
“Hopefully from September I can slowly build up my training again.
“Rio 2016 will come round before any of us realise and at the end of the day the Olympic Games is the pinnacle.
“All the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices are purely for the Olympics. Every athlete wants to be a part of it.”
This latest injury may force McColgan into giving up the steeplechase and stepping up to either 5,000m or 10,000m.
She explained: “My event choice is still under question – perhaps a move to the 5,000m or 10,000m will be more feasible after foot surgery, rather than risking injury over the steeplechase in such an important year.
“Fingers crossed my luck starts to improve, but that’s what makes our sport exciting – it’s a battle, nothing is easy.”