If you’re an athlete, chances are at some point in time you have suffered an injury or illness that has forced you to take some time away from your normal training routine. More specifically, if you are a bike rider chances are that you have crashed or know someone who is crashed. This brief article will describe a few ways to deal with your injury and ways to manage your time away from your sport.
1. Become a realist: Yes, it happened you’re hurt and you will miss some time while you heal. There is nothing that you can do to prevent that. As soon as you recognize that fact, you can begin the process of healing. Much like acceptance is a step in the grieving process, be truthful to yourself and the healing process.
2. Have a plan: Now that you have been diagnosed and can understand your injury, make a plan on how you will recover from it. This may include reorganizing your race schedule. Don’t try to race too soon following major injury as that will set you up for disaster. Talk with your coach, doctor, or support team and decide how you will work your way back into training. This may include starting back slowly by simply walking, but also should consider rehabilitation activities such as physical or massage therapy.
3. While injured, find another “thing” to focus on: Triathletes tend to be type A personalities, and spending time away from their sport can be very difficult. Since an injured athlete is not spending time training, they will find themselves with “extra” time on their hands. Find something to do with your time. Get those home improvement projects started, cook breakfast each morning, volunteer your time at a local race!! Don’t drive yourself crazy moping around the house all day with no purpose.
Dealing with injuries is not a fun thing to do, but they are a part of being an athlete. Should you be unfortunate and become injured, take into consideration the preceding three tips to help you recover from your injury and get back to your training routine with a healed body and a healed mind.
SJI
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Hang in there, Scott. I know how miserable it is to not work out regularly, but take my word for it - every crappy day recovering will pay dividends in the future that you will not believe. Yes, you can get back to pain free, but you have to work at it. Sadly, working at it now means sitting around and not working out. Hey, think of it as a very different kind of challenge. C'mon - are you, an accomplished triathlete, teacher, husband, and dad, going to let a little enforced lassitude beat YOU? Hell, no!!
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