Injury is Part of Sports

Everything was going so well. Two hour half marathon at The Woodlands Half on March 6th. Swim times were consistently strong and was setting new power records on my rides. Then came March 27th. Was so excited to go to Galveston and do a long training ride with teammates in preparation for the April 10th IMTX 70.3. Wasn’t an “A” race but haven’t raced much (thank you COVID) so was looking forward to a strong race.

Ride was going well. But 44 miles into this 56 miles, my wheel hit something that made it snap to the left, threw me off my bike and into threw me into the highway at 3005 and 13 Mile Road near GI State Park. Fortunately, three girls driving by stopped and helped me. Knew right away my arm was broken. Elbow fracture requiring surgery. Mild concussion and a ride to the hospital for X-rays and CT scans. This was not part of the plan.

On April 5, 2020, when COVID cancelled the 2020 IMTX70.3, nothing could keep me from doing the race. David and I went to Galveston and stood in the Moody Gardens Hotel parking lot alone to start my “race”. Should have been thousands of people there, but instead I raced alone with David supporting me. Because nothing could stop me. The irony is great – because nothing but an injury could stop me. So on April 10, 2021, no race for me.

Instead I walked 7.03 miles – five days post surgery to put a metal plate and 6 screws in my elbow. I can walk. I can ride my trainer. So starting slow and doing what I can. Race schedule now that races are coming back is up in the air. Will depend on recovery. Really hoping I can still do Mt. Tremblant 140.6 end of August.

It is easy to try to feel sorry for myself. But then I remind myself I didn’t get hit by a car in that road. I didn’t lose my arm. I don’t have cancer. I have a broken elbow that will heal. Perspective. Going from 100 mph a day to almost no training is HARD though. And I do all my training and I LOVE to train. So it’s an adjustment.

Planning to work on my diet – trying to move toward a plant-based diet and reducing sugar. Going to get back to lower body strength training. And going to do as much PT for my elbow that I can. Focus will be the bike trainer for now. And treadmill hill repeats. Swimming will likely be the last thing I can get back to – which makes me sad because I love to swim.

Bottom line; injury is just part of sports. We can do things to mitigate injury for sure, but every athlete has to deal with stuff, from stress fractures to broken bones. It’s just part of the deal. And the illusion of control over this is just that; a giant illusion. So, going to do my best to do everything I can to move through it and get back to working hard toward being strong and healthy again.

It’s also tempting to question why something like this happens. Maybe someday I will have some clarity on that and maybe not. But would understanding why change anything for me? Not really right now.

So, head down, attitude up.