Nick Willis Ends Indoor Campaign After Stress Reaction Diagnosis

By Adam Kopet

New Zealand's Nick Willis has ended his indoor season with a stress reaction in his fibula, according to a social media post.

Sad to withdraw from the @NBIndoorGP this weekend as I have developed a stress reaction in my fibular. I will take a few weeks off to cross train and put 100% of my focus on the 1500m at the Comm Games. @gamupdates @adidasrunning @AthleticsNZ

— Nick Willis (@nickwillis) February 5, 2018

The 2016 Olympic bronze medalist at 1,500 meters still hopes to compete in the 1,500 at the Commonwealth Games in April in Gold Coast, Australia.

Willis, 34, had been scheduled to compete this weekend at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, but his injury has forced him to withdraw. He ran Saturday in the Wanamaker Mile at the NYRR Millrose Games, finishing fifth in 3:57.72.

Despite the injury, Willis remains upbeat, as evidenced with a follow-up post about treating this injury as a new challenge.

Sure injuries are not fun, but dwelling on the downside doesn't help at all. Grieve first, then move on. I've set new goals, weekly targets in my rehab and cross training, and now view this as a new challenge. If you don't like challenges, don't be a runner!

— Nick Willis (@nickwillis) February 6, 2018