Defending champ Liz Pluimers withdraws from final Nutri-Grain rounds with calf injury

LIZ Pluimers’ ironwoman career has ended, with the defending Nutri-Grain champion deciding not to risk aggravating an injury in the season-ending events.

North Burleigh ironwoman Liz Pluimers has withdrawn from the final rounds of the 2015-16 Nutri-Grain series with a calf injury. Photo: Supplied

LIZ Pluimers’ ironwoman career has come to an end, with the defending Nutri-Grain champion retiring after a calf injury forced her to withdraw from this weekend’s season-ending events in Sydney.

Pluimers had hoped to engineer a fairytale finish to her career in this weekend’s final two races of the series at Cronulla after racing the clock in an attempt to be fit.

But after consulting with her physiotherapist, she made the difficult decision yesterday (((FRI))) to withdraw after the same right calf strain that kept her out of the Newcastle rounds of the series in December failed to fully heal.

“I went to the physio and tried to do a few run-throughs. Jogging was OK but as soon as I tried to put a little bit of speed into it, I didn’t have the power and it just hurt way too much,’’ she said.

“It was (a tough call), I really wanted to race and really wanted to finish off on a high but I didn’t want to risk tearing it.’’

Pluimers dominated the event last year, winning five of the six races to snare the cereal crown.

And she looked set to challenge for her fourth series title after a solid start to the season at Coolum.

But after reinjuring the same calf that threatened to keep her out of the Coolangatta Gold last year, Pluimers was forced to withdraw from rounds three and four of the series in Newcastle, hoping she could make a career swan song this weekend.

“It’s not quite the fairytale ending I was looking for but that happens,’’ she said.

And it will not make her rethink her retirement plans.

“I think this is probably the last ride. It’s not the ideal way to finish but I’m looking forward to the next journey in life,’’ she said.

“It takes a lot of commitment to do what we do and to be at the top of your game.

“I can’t put that amount of time and energy into it anymore.’’

That is likely to include the Australian titles as well.

“I’m still not sure on Aussies, I’m leaving that window open at the moment,’’ she said.

“We’re leaving for our honeymoon on Monday away for a month then and I guess I’ll just see what happens when I get back.’’

Pluimers’ honeymoon in the French Alps with husband Stuart Snell is among the reasons she won’t risk tearing her calf again at the weekend.

“There was a good chance it could have torn again, it’s still pretty tight and pretty tender,’’ she said.

“We’re actually going skiing on our honeymoon, so that’s definitely something that I wanted to do.’’

Pluimers may not be there but she is confident she is leaving the sport in good hands.

“I think we had three different winners this year and it’s all their first time being on top of the podium which is great for our sport,’’ she said.

“It shows the depth coming through.’’