Running to recovery
Today, I found pieces of my journal written in April. I am not typically an emotional person but I figured I would share this for the heck of it. Soon after being diagnosed with a possibly career-ending injury I became devastated. I began to write. l began to write every day, documenting the good, bad, and ugly. When things get difficult for me, I write. I enjoy writing and I'm glad i did in this case, I am now able to look back, reminded and grateful for having had the experience that not only made me a better person but a better athlete as well.
For those who know me, they probably know that running means everything to me. This spring when I got injured, I had that everything taken away. It was heartbreaking to watch from the sidelines, not being able to compete or do the one thing that I loved to do. It was hard. Mentally and physically draining. I had physical therapy multiple times a week, multiple doctors appointments, and multiple mental breakdowns. I spent hours on the stationary bike, praying that my body would heal.
The hardest part for me was realizing that healing takes time. I am an impatient person, and this didn't serve me well. I didn't want to go to physical therapy. I didn't want help. I didn't think I would heal. I was ready to give up. But I didn't. And I am grateful for that.
It took a long time for me to return to normal. A lot of slow easy miles. A lot of disappointing runs and disappointing days. My whole summer became dedicated to getting healthy again, returning to the person I wanted to be. The frustration began to turn into gratefulness. My perspective on the world of running shifted, I became grateful for the opportunity to run, the good runs the bad runs and everything in between. And slowly, I began to get better.
I am grateful for the physical therapists and doctors who helped me. I am grateful for my coaches and family and friends who helped me and looked out for me, no matter what. I am thankful for my amazing teammates who supported me.
Today I am heathy again. I am running. I am strong and happy. I appreciate this sport more than I could ever have imagined. I am grateful for every single mile, every meet and every practice.
And most of all I'm grateful to be a runner.
- Anonymous
