"In some crazy way this injury has made me a more complete athlete and a better person. I've learned that with a lot of hard work, a little bit of pain, and a good sense of humor, there's really nothing I can't accomplish."
i don't remember now where i found this quote, but the idea of "a more complete athlete" really struck me. because this injury was caused by my natural biomechanics sometimes makes me feel like i shouldn't be a runner. that i'm probably meant to do something else, and i'm probably doing more harm than good. being injured makes me feel like i was doing something wrong. it makes me feel like i'm not really an athlete at all.
but really that's silly. everyone gets injured. even jerry rice. and a real athlete, a more complete athlete, knows how to rest, knows how to rehabilitate, knows how to heal. she knows how to tough it out and think of alternatives. she knows that her life is a series of trials and errors until she finds the delicate combination that makes everything right.
2 comments:
Funny, when I get injured and bemoan my biomechanics, I have felt the same way as you in terms of "maybe running isn't my sport." But I never feel like I'm not an athlete. Having an injury reminds me how hard I work my body, and that in turn makes me feel athletic. So I'm glad you're not holding tight to that thought!
Everyone gets injured; it's how you treat the injury that counts. Too many athletes, I think, feel that they have to "grin and bear" like the tough people they feel they are. When it might actually better serve them to baby it and nurse it back to health so they can enjoy a longer time with their chosen sport.
So, take care of yourself, don't push the running -- there is plenty of exercise out there that offers the same benefits -- and when your injury is healed, you can return to running full time and feel much better about it.
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