WRITTEN FOR THE BRITISH ATHLETICS SAINSBURY’S ANNIVERSARY GAMES EVENT PROGRAMME
Twelve months have passed since Perri Shakes-Drayton sped to an impressive 400m hurdles lifetime best at the first London Anniversary Games, but in a cruel twist of fate, she then endured a freak injury in the world championships final which resulted in surgery and a lengthy lay-off. Here, she tells Nicola Bamford about her rehabilitation and hopes for a comeback away from the barriers.
The 25-year-old was in the form of her life last summer and she appeared to be on the cusp of a global breakthrough before the nightmare scenario struck at the worst possible time.
Having recorded a fine 53.67 personal best for the runner-up spot inside the capital’s Olympic stadium, Shakes-Drayton shot to second place on the British all-time list behind 1992 Olympic champion, Sally Gunnell and justifiably, had her eyes firmly fixed on a medal in the following months’ IAAF World Championships in Moscow.
The five-time British champion began her campaign for glory with victory in the first round heat and semi-final stage, but whilst warming up for the final – arguably the most important race of her athletic career – the back of her left knee felt numb and she felt the joint wobble during the race itself. She had torn her posterior cruciate ligament and cartilage.
Evidently severely hindered, Shakes-Drayton powered through to finish seventh and the tragic and untimely occurrence has effectively ceased her from racing again for as much as a year and a half.
Guided by Chris Zah at Lee Valley Athletics Centre and Mile End in East London, Shakes-Drayton recalled her distressing experience in the Russian capital:
“I went over the first hurdle and the knee didn’t feel right but I kept going as I’d been feeling good.
“I had no control of the leg and kept hitting the hurdles. I finally watched the video of the race a few months later and noticed I jolted back on the eighth hurdle and that’s when the damage to the cartilage was done.
“Afterwards, everyone kept apologising for the injury but I just kept thinking ‘what’s wrong? I’ll be back’.
“I caught an early flight from Moscow to see the surgeon, Professor Farras Haddad for an MRI scan and was told I needed surgery – that’s when I started crying.”
‘A real challenge’
A member of Victoria Park and Tower Hamlets AC, Shakes-Drayton was left to wonder what could have been as she went under the surgeon’s knife a week later before using the aid of crutches for three months.
Zah gathered advice from former Commonwealth 110m hurdles champion, Tony Jarrett – who himself had suffered from the same injury – whilst Shakes-Drayton relied on the support from her medical team provided by British Athletics – doctor Noel Pollock, physiotherapist Jarred Anflick, sports masseuse Wendy Hilton, sports psychologist Steve Peters and Julie Smith who has enrolled the athlete on a public speaking course.
However, it would be fair to say that the autumn was a particularly testing time for the European 400m indoor champion:
“Staying at home with my feet up was horrible and really annoying,” Shakes-Drayton revealed.
“When I started non-weight-baring rehab, I noticed I was losing muscle mass on the leg. I’d only had niggles before so to have such a bad injury’s a real challenge – you need to be a strong person to get through it.
“I couldn’t walk up my stairs and I had to use a machine in my living room to help me to bend and straighten the leg so I had to move my sofas around.
“I wasn’t told how long I’d be out for because of the type of the injury as it’s all about when the cartilage is ready to take impact so to see the months go by – it was a realisation.”
Indeed, when the comprehension that her bout of terrible luck had ruined both her world championship chances and future in the hurdles discipline was raw, it was a difficult time for Shakes-Drayton:
“I didn’t want to watch athletics but after my getting my head around it, I just had to accept it and deal with it so I’m just cracking on,” she explained.
“Sopot (the IAAF World Indoor Championships in March) was tough, especially having won the (4x400m) relay two years ago but I had to embrace it – I know I’m not going to be forgotten.”
“I’ve had ups and downs going through this – one minute, everything’s going at a rapid pace but then the next, the knee doesn’t like something, but now I’m able to walk upstairs and even go food shopping,” she said, having admitted to previously using a mobility scooter to get around the supermarket.
“I’ve had help from my family, friends and Chris, and the psychology work has helped me get through the frustrating times – I’ll really appreciate the sport more when I’m back.”
‘Very privileged’
The 2010 European bronze medallist’s intense rehabilitation programme began with visits to St John’s Wood to use a hyperbaric chamber, which helps the body to heal quicker by pumping more oxygen into the room, followed by sessions in the pool.
Shakes-Drayton has undergone numerous tests at Loughborough’s High Performance Centre in addition to utilising their strength and conditioning coach, Michael Johnson there – whilst her other medical support has been provided closer to home at Lee Valley.
Following a warm-weather training stint to Florida in the spring where she enjoyed turning her hand to cycling, Shakes-Drayton then progressed to regular sessions on an Alter-G, anti-gravity treadmill which she admitting to using as race visualisation preparation – and she will shortly be moving on to running on grass.
“I do rehab work five times a week,” she explained.
“I’ll go on the Alter-G trainer twice a week, go in the pool twice a week, on the bike twice a week and go in the gym three times a week for leg work and abdominal circuits. It’s all about getting strong.
“I’ll also go into schools, do commercial appearances, public speaking, go to a Nike event, I was recently at Wimbledon and I’m now on an exercise to music course.”
Known for her outgoing personality, the 2009 European under23 champion confessed to feeling even more sociable now thanks to her advance in leisure time, but made no secret of her gratitude to those helping her to get back on track:
“I’m very privileged to be on the British Athletics World Class Podium Plan – I wouldn’t be at this stage of my rehab without it and without the support of British
Athletics,” Shakes-Drayton revealed.
“Having access to all of the doctors, the surgeon, the injections and the medical team means I’m very grateful for the team behind me, and I’m glad Nike have continued to support me – it’s nice that no-one’s forgotten me.”
‘Back with a bang’
Although she agonisingly missed the 2012 Olympic final by one position, Shakes-Drayton is looking forward to being part of the Sainsbury’s London Anniversary Games where she will surely be in her element in her role as video interviewer for British Athletics:
“I loved doing the Anniversary Games last year even though it didn’t finish well the last time I was there – it was great to be back in the stadium to a nice reception,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to returning to work there this time, it’s a great event.”
Targeting the IAAF World Championships in Beijing next summer as her next major aim, it will be interesting to see whether the likeable Londoner can return to her former glories in the 400m flat event.
Boasting a 50.50 one lap lifetime best from last year, Shakes-Drayton clearly has the necessary speed to make an impact on the discipline and one cannot help but wonder whether her enforced switch will turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
“I’ve been told that the hurdles wouldn’t be a wise thing to do and I’ll miss the indoor season as I want to be mentally prepared for the big (outdoor) test ahead,” the regular British 4x400m relay team anchor declared.
“I can’t rush, everything has to be gradual and very sensible – I’ve had to learn to be very patient and I hope to be doing track sessions by the end of the year.
“I want to return to the world-class stage and fulfil my potential – I’m yet to do that but it’s just about getting back as I’ve found out that anything can happen.
“I know there are opportunities ahead – I want to come back with a bang.”
