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

Injuries stink. There’s really no other way to put it. They force you away from something you love, something you have a passion for. We’ve all been there. For me, getting diagnosed with a calcaneous (heel bone) stress fracture about two weeks ago was… a first. I’ve been running consistent and serious miles for about five years and this injury marks the first time I’ve had to take completely off of running. I know I’m pretty darn lucky to be able to say that… and despite how awful it felt to hear the diagnosis, I’ve vowed to take this as a learning experience. So many runners and athletes have told me if you go about rehabbing the right way, you will learn a lot from being injured and will come back stronger. It’s about being patient, not trying to do too much too soon… that’s what I’ve been told. So there’s that p word yet again.

To start my rehab, I took ten days completely off of all physical activity except for yoga. I thought it would be incredibly difficult, but instead, it was quite refreshing. It became pretty obvious this injury was my body sending me a signal… that it’s craving rest/recovery. I had never done yoga prior to two weeks ago– so I was hesitant to give it a try, but I’m so very glad I did. It brought about a whole new perspective and challenge for me. It has helped me develop a new sense of calmness and relaxation. It’s stretched and toned my body in ways nothing else ever has. And for someone who doesn’t easily give up control, yoga has helped me to recognize the need to let go– because “the highest state of meditation in yoga requires a calm, serene, one-pointed mind, free from negative emotions and the distractions created by cravings, obsessions, and desires.” Class by class, I feel as though a little more self-imposed pressure/weight is lifted off of my shoulders.

So by now you’re probably thinking, “Wow… she sounds like she’s going to stop running and just start doing yoga 24/7!” Nah, I still miss running… a lot… and don’t have any plans to give it up for quite some time. But, I do think yoga has its own wonderful and significant place in the recovery process. I know it’s going to continue to help me become healthier — help me discover more about myself– and find more balance in my life, something I’ve come to realize will have to be achieved before I can consider this recovery process complete.

So, as I am starting back up with cross training (mostly pool running and biking!), I’m doing my best to take things one day at a time– to stay positive, and stay patient. I’m working on defining myself through other ways besides just running and exercise. I’m meeting new people and doing my best to go a bit outside of my comfort zone.

This injury has been a wake-up call for me– and as I said in my previous post, I know it’s going to take time and a lot of patience… but I am learning so much about myself and the people and world around me through this process… and I am confident I will come back a stronger runner and person than ever before.

I’ll continue to keep you posted on the road back to running. I appreciate all your kind words, support, and even advice as I deal with this really for the first time! Also, please continue to send me your thoughts on maintaining balance! I have also recently come to recognize how much I truly love to cook/bake and find myself just wishing I had a bit more time to do so… so if you runners/athletes have any “go-to” recipes for great sources of protein, iron, nutrients, etc. please pass them along my way!

For anyone else out there battling an injury, please do your best to stay positive… use it as a learning experience, and if nothing else, make you appreciate running and all the blessings in your life that much more!

Till next time… Happy Running! Enjoy Spring… be smart with your training and listen to your body. It will thank you for it! (something I’ve recently FINALLY discovered!)

“Affliction and adversity comes to us, not to make us sad but sober; not to make us sorry but wise.” “You’ll seldom experience regret for anything that you’ve done. It is what you haven’t done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear. Do it! Develop an appreciation for the present moment. Seize every second of your life and savor it. Value your present moments. Using them up in any self-defeating ways means you’ve lost them forever.” “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” -Winston Churchill “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Oh, and I recently did an interview with an awesome new site for aspiring post-collegiates, RunPro.com. In it I share my experience- the challenging transition (that I’m still very much in the midst of!) from a DIII athlete to the professional running scene. Check it out here.

One other side note… best of luck to teammates Desi, Zach, and Paul at Boston on Monday the 18th! It’s been awesome watching/observing them throughout training/workouts… they’re super fit and I only wish I could be there in person to cheer them on!

Tweet

Share/Bookmark

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

• Running
• Track & Field
• Sports
• SportsPLUS
• Inspiration

This post is related to an ongoing story:

• Athlete Blogs

View Original Post at jennyontherun.com

View knightrunner22's Full Profile