The Comeback
- Oct 29, 2015
- 2 min read
It all started during my off season training for winter track, last year. After a month or two of semi-active rest from my spring and summer competition season, I decided to hit the gym and get ready to go at it again..but better! This was my year and I was ready to put in the work.
About one week in, I started noticing some minor discomfort. By week four, I was in excruciating pain during my lifting routines. I knew it wasn't something that I should train through. I eventually bit the bullet and got it checked out. Turns out I had some things going on, and they weren't pretty.
My doctor looked me in the eyes and spoke a combination of words every athlete cringes at. "Take a few weeks off." I was told to stop running, stop lifting, and start up with physical therapy. I was all
But you know what I did then? What he told me. It sucked. I was bored. I was fat. Ok, I wasn't fat, honestly I didn't even lose all that much fitness. It was NOT that bad! I rehabbed slowly and safely and guess what.. The next season was the best season of track I ever had.
I feel stupid thinking back on all the times I was word vomiting up negativity. I wish I just went about it positively from the beginning. Like hey, this sucks, but let's think of some positives. You're getting some rest. You're getting time to work on whatever it is you need to work on, both physically and mentally. Go read a book. Go take a bath. Spend your workouts doing important building block type stuff- work on your core/mobility/ROM. Go learn a new language. Whatever!
Now that my injury is gone and I know how to prevent it, I'm doing just that. It's sort of a "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice.." situation. Don't get fooled twice. Take it slow, build up, be smart.
Next time you get some bad news- which is hopefully never- remember that time heals most wounds if you let it. Don't push too hard or too soon. Do be patient and postive. That's all you need. That, and a kick ass physical therapist.
REMEMBER THIS: every setback is basically just a setup for a comeback.
-vivalakelc
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