Flora Duffy, the Bermuda triathlete, has been forced to temper her medal expectations at next month’s Pan Am Games in Toronto after having her preparations derailed by shin splints.

Duffy was confident of challenging for a podium place before her shin splints — a repetitive strain injury — but believes a top-ten finish is now a more realistic ambition.

The setback has served as a bitter blow for Duffy, who believed she was in the best form of her life, finishing third in Abu Dhabi, fifth in the Gold Coast, as well as picking up several wins in the Xterra (off-road) Series.

“I was totally confident of doing well at Pan Am, especially the way my running was going — I was running the best I had in years,” said the 27-year-old.

“I felt capable of doing something great and pretty confident that a medal was possible. Sure, it still can happen, but it’s not as likely now.

“I haven’t done a running session in seven weeks, so Pan Am is no longer a major goal. It’s just a race to see where my fitness is.

“Obviously, I will race the best I can but my expectation has gone from a possible medal to a possible top ten.”

The Xterra world champion has received “aggressive treatment” for her injury, which is common among athletes who engage in running sports.

She hopes to return to competition in two weeks as she builds towards the Pan Am Games, which will be held from July 10 to 26.

“I picked up the injury at the beginning of April,” Duffy said.

“I had to race on it three times and that aggravated it further and when I got to the end of the third race it was not good. It’s one of those injuries which is constant and not a quick fix. I’ve had some aggressive treatment on it, but that means I’ve had to rest and let it heal.

“My training all of May was very interrupted. I’m used to doing so much training and now it feels like I’m doing nothing, so I’m like ‘what’s the point of this?’

“It’s been a struggle going from such a high to dealing with this.”

Duffy, who performed the swim leg of the Tokio Millennium Re Sprint Triathlon in Hamilton last weekend, has already cast an eye towards her preparations for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio.

“With the Olympics approaching every ITU race I do is a big event with viable points on the line,” said the two-times Olympian.

“After Pan Am I go to Rio for a triathlon which is a test event for the Olympics.

“There are no points available and no money on the line, but it’s valuable to see the course and the conditions.

“I also have some big ITU races, a few Xterra races and then I’ll be in Maui for the Xterra World Championships in November.”