Nooralotta Neziri’s winter has been spent recovering from a knee injury. This summer, the goal is to compete, but without fences.
Nooralotta Neziri has gotten to enjoy running training again. Picture from the MLL fashion show in May. Matti Matikainen
At the end of last summer, fast swimmer Nooralotta Neziri experienced a moment that you wouldn’t wish on anyone.
After many difficult years, a top summer was behind me and I ran my own record of 12.73 at the Kaleva Games in August.
Neziri already improved his record earlier in June, when he ran in Kuortane with a time of 12.80. Before last summer, the record was set at 12.81, which was as many as nine years ago.
The World Cup in Tokyo was ahead and the preparation camp was in progress. Everything was supposed to be fine, until the fast fencer’s front wrist tie gave up on the fence practice. The World Cup could be forgotten at that moment.
Now, nine months later, Neziri recalls that the situation was completely absurd.
– For a moment I wondered when I would wake up from this nightmare.
For a moment, even the end of my career crossed my mind.
– I thought I couldn’t take it. Wasn’t this here.
Nooralotta Neziri was in the best shape of her career last summer. Jussi Saarinen
Thoughts quickly turned to coping with the situation and rehabilitating the knee. The doctor also gave the green light to return to the race tracks.
– I didn’t want to end with first running the record and then this injury comes.
Cutting
The knee surgery was performed on September 26. According to Nezir, the rehabilitation process has progressed as planned. The first six months was the most difficult period mentally.
– Time passed really slowly. The knee limited so much to do that sometimes it was quite monotonous to do.
After the surgery, Neziri was not even allowed to jog for three months. He did his first speed workouts at the end of March wearing sneakers.
There have been 5-6 workouts done with spikes on my feet.
– Now there is a critical month ahead. There are quite a few speed workouts behind, and now you can see how the body receives them.
Nooralotta Neziri’s goal is to compete in the Kaleva Games, but this time without fences. Matti Matikainen
It usually takes about nine months to get back on the race track from an ACL injury. After that period, the risk of injury recurrence is significantly lower.
The goal is the Kaleva Games
Neziri will hardly be seen in the fence races this summer. However, the goal is to put the competition badge on your chest, this time on smooth roads.
Neziri from Pori states that the Kaleva Games at the end of July are the biggest goal of the summer. Before that, it was supposed to get a few race starts under.
– Probably the first competitions after a long break, there will be few applications.
For Nooralotta Neziri, wearing the national team uniform has become familiar during her career. Picture from last year’s Sweden match. Pasi Liesimaa
This summer’s primary goal is to listen to your body and progress within the limits allowed by the knee, avoiding unnecessary risks.
– Even if I didn’t compete at all this summer, it wouldn’t change anything in the big picture.
The new goals are already in the future, and the next big destination is to compete in the EC Indoor Championships next March. The dreams also include improving one’s own record.
– I would like to run for a time starting at 12.5. I have set that goal for myself as a young athlete.
Last week, Neziri watched the Paavo Nurmi Games as a spectator. Compared to previous years, the new role seemed more tolerable.
– Almost a year has passed since the incident. The worst shock has already eased and I have dealt with the matter in advance. To be honest, it was even nice to watch the games as a spectator.