Injuries will make you stronger.
We all get hurt. That’s guaranteed. I do not know one runner who has made it through all four high school cross country seasons without getting shin splints, stress fractures, blisters or the the constant spike to the leg. We all get injured. Some are more severe than others, but that doesn’t mean your season is over. That doesn’t mean your running career is over.
After getting injured, I had to learn to walk normally again. Yes, I had to learn to WALK. Never mind running, that was out of the question. My heart sank, the one thing I loved to do was ripped away from me as I walked circles on our track, watching my team carry on. Looking back on it now, that continuous injury happened for a reason.
Having to start from square one opened my eyes to how the team works as a whole. Teammates aren’t there for competition, but for support. They are there to catch you when you fall, to rush over paper cups full of water, to give the best pep talk before a big race. From the #1 runner to runner #101 everyone plays a part in the team. And I didn’t notice his until I took a step back.
From that point on, I tried not to dwell on my current physical state but to cherish what others were accomplishing with my help. A great runner is not determined on how fast they can run, how many miles their shoes take each day, or if they finish first or last. A great runner is developed from their attitude and commitment to their team.
So, you may be injured. Yes, that sucks. Yes, you may want to throw all you have done away. But before you do that, remember this: people on your team are looking up to you. They are looking at you, pushing through whatever challenge you face and saying to themselves “if they can do that, I can do this.” Running or not, you have the opportunity to make an impact on your team.
Injuries only hurt you if you let them get to your head. Pain passes and time heals. So, in the meantime, contribute to your team, your family, and show them what it’s like to be a great runner.
