Okay, here is my sharing about endurance sports and trauma:
I started out just wanting to get in better shape, you know? I picked up running because it seemed easy enough to do. I got some shoes and I just ran. At the beginning, I just ran a little bit every day. Then, I kept going and going further each time. Before I knew it, I was hooked.
I signed up for a 5k, then a 10k, and then I did a half marathon. It felt awesome to push myself and see what I was capable of. I joined a local running group, made some friends, and we all trained together. Everything was great.
Facing a Challenge
But then, I got injured. It was nothing too serious, a strained muscle, but it took me out of running for a few weeks. During that time I did some thinking. I was scared. My body was hurt and I was afraid it would be for a long time. I went back to the running group after I got better, and some friends helped me get back into the groove. I started slow, mostly just walking with them at first, then slowly running again. I realized I had to be a little more careful now.
Changes I Made
So I started taking things more seriously. First, I make sure I warm up before every run. I used to just jump right in, but now I do some stretches and light exercises to get my body ready. I followed some videos I found online and that helps me get my body ready to run. After I’m done with running, I do some more stretches to cool down. It’s not fun but I want to keep running, so I do it anyway.
Then, I started working on my overall fitness, not just running. I hit the gym a couple of times a week to do some weight training. I also started focusing on my mobility and balance. I do yoga and some other exercises to improve my flexibility and core strength. It’s like, I want to make sure my whole body is strong, not just my legs.
- Warm-up: I spend about 10-15 minutes warming up before each run.
- Cool-down: Same thing, 10-15 minutes after the run to cool down and stretch.
- Strength training: I do this 2-3 times a week, focusing on different muscle groups.
- Mobility and balance: Yoga and other exercises, also 2-3 times a week.
It’s been a journey, that’s for sure. I am running a marathon soon. I’m a little nervous, but I know my body is ready. I’ve learned that endurance sports are not just about pushing through the pain, but also about listening to your body and taking care of it. They are about finding that balance between pushing your limits and respecting them. And yeah, sometimes life throws you curveballs, but it’s how you deal with them that matters. I’m just happy I can still run, and I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
