Taking Back Elaine

Let me preface this by saying I don’t wish injury on anyone. That being said, the times we are injured allow us to reflect and also to truly appreciate the sport(s) we love.

I remember training for my first half and I was just so over running because I cut out all cross training for fear of hurting myself. But all running and feeling like you HAVE to, not WANT to leads to a pretty cranky runner. But then it snowed and I couldn’t run my last training run outside and had to move it inside. Then they were calling for a second storm and I thought I’d get snowed in and not be able to make it to my race. That’s when I realized how much I WANTED it, to run and to enjoy myself. With this injury, it’s made me SO thankful. Sure I may get discouraged if I can’t get a lift right, or feel like I lift a lite weight when others are going heavy but I can still do the moves.

I see everyone’s posts about CrossFit and running and biking and swimming and I miss it and I’m jealous. I want to be smart and not go back too soon or go back and then try to pull heavy weights. I have to build myself back up. But if nothing else, this injury has made me thankful for my health. Thankful that while my back hurts, and you don’t realize how much you use your back for, I can heal and get better and stronger. Thankful that I have the use of my legs and arms and senses.

For no other reason, while injuries can suck and sideline us, it does help us keep our priorities straight, remember what’s important and why we do what we do.