Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

(Editor’s Note: Pretty Tough Team member Heidi Johnson-Fry is a champion duathlete from Montana. )

After a year of being side lined for an injury/surgery, I am back to racing!

I just came back from a decent showing in the Dallas Rock n Roll Half Marathon with a 2nd place age division finish and this weekend I am headed to the long awaited Duathlon National Championships, in Arizona.

I spent last summer in the pool with a foot injury/surgery. Let me tell you what…running, in a pool, in the Montana summer, is not that fun. I was definitely motivated to get up before sunrise so that I wouldn’t have to sit inside and stare at the beautiful weather that everyone else was running in.

A setback, yes, as any injury is, but it gave me time to intensify and increase my bike time. I am coming into this year, stronger than I have ever been on my bike! You have to look at the positive right, otherwise you will cry yourself crazy.

Mandatory time in a walking cast also gave me the opportunity to clarify the idea that there are more important things in life than just training. I look at every moment I spend training as a blessing now, instead of a requirement. An injury can be a devastating time block but it can also give you time to clear out your head and straighten your priorities . It can also give your body the rest it may have been asking for.

I checked into my only duathlon race last year, in a walking cast, raced and then was back in the cast. This year I will not be that stubborn. I am back with a clear head, a better than decent foot and with an opportunity to make an incredible come back. You better believe I am going to give it my all!

~Heidi

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• Cycling
• Sports
• SportsPLUS
• Health & Fitness
• Sports Medicine

View Original Post at prettytough.com

View jschon's Full Profile