There were seasoned nods and murmurs from the senior class attendees as I updated them on my latest injury and the reason behind my limping gait. Fortunately, the healing process has already popped the balloons of my pity party and nudged me towards accepting just how common — and varied — sports injuries can be.

Apparently, “Everyone has a plan until they’re punched in the face.” So, my plans of completing my first Karate grading alongside my son last week? Postponed. My Couch to 5k progress? Halted. Kettlebells, Yoga, Pilates? Meh.

As for my middle-aged weight loss goal, well, the injury hasn’t exactly curbed my sweet tooth — unless I’m indulging in a “woe is me” moment. What it has done is scupper my best intentions of finally building some consistency with my stop–start yoga practice.

Back to the healing process: the culprit this time is a groin strain (or more likely a small muscle tear) picked up during a karate warm-up while attempting a rolling breakfall in a state of fatigue. And yes — fatigue plus poor technique equals increased risk of injury. In my case, that translated to certain injury, followed by a trip to A&E.

The spectre of my past shoulder injury and its aftermath lurked menacingly as I waited to be seen through the fog of pain. Thankfully, I was called in quicker than expected, and the reassurance I received about the severity of the injury quickly vanquished my worst fears.

Leaving the care of the on-duty doctor and emergency nurse practitioner, I limped away with a borrowed walking stick — which felt rather poignant, given that I check and assess such items weekly for the very same patients now knowingly nodding in my class.