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Mustafa Mohamed is now back in full training after an operation on his right knee in December which, frustratingly, caused the Swedish Steeplechase and Cross Country star to miss the 2009 SPAR European Cross Country Championships after getting on the podium at the three previous editions. "It was the
Sweden’s Mustafa Mohamed swaps spikes for skis – European Athletics (EAA) – News
Mustafa Mohamed is now back in full training after an operation on his right knee in December which, frustratingly, caused the Swedish Steeplechase and Cross Country star to miss the 2009 SPAR European Cross Country Championships after getting on the podium at the three previous editions.
"It was the first surgery in my career so it was an emotional experience. However, it was a simple surgery and everything went well, bits of tissue and damaged ligaments were removed. Otherwise, everything looked good, I even felt a bit lighter!" reflected the 30-year-old Swede, who has been a 3000m Steeplechase finalist at the last three World Championships and the last two Olympic Games.
"It was a nice feeling when I was about to fall asleep and then when I woke up… it felt good to not have pain any more." After his initial rehabilitation, the Swedish Steeplechase and Cross Country star spent much of January in Kenya, getting fit again.
"After my surgery, I went to Iten in early January. I began there with just 11-minute jogs and built up from there. By the middle of January I was doing 10km runs, and I was running every day. Besides running, I also did many workouts on a bicycle and rehab training to get up the strength and mobility back," added Mohamed, whose time in Kenya coincided with his British friend and rival Mo Farah, the 2006 SPAR European Cross Country Championships champion.
However, Mohamed is now back home in Sweden coping with entirely different conditions, deep snow, and is regularly swapping his spikes for skis.
"There are great contrasts between training in Kenya and working out at home. It is a bit harder to run fast in the snow, but it is bright and beautiful. I'm happier in these condition rather this than two degrees below freezing point and rain! I have been able to do distance runs and also do interval workouts in the neighbourhood gym."
His knee injury has meant Mohamed has passed on the indoor season but he hopes that he can be in contention again for a 3000m steeplechase medal at the 2010 European Athletics Championships in Barcelona.
Four years ago, in front of his family and friends in Göteburg, he finished fourth in the event at the last Championships.
However, the following year, he set the Swedish record of 8:05.75, which still stands, and the ever-consistent Mohamed is third on the European all-time list.
Mustafa Mohamed has his own web site (in Swedish) which he regularly updates:
