I know this is always something that needs to be taken with a thought process that allows you a learning curve that is outside an obvious physical exertion but the relationship between the thought and the action is very conected
Triathlon injury wreaks havoc
In all my years of I have spent training, I can sum up injuries/athletes in one sentence; those who have been, and those who will be, injured.
Athletes become injured for any number of reasons during training or racing — improper intensity/endurance effort increases, insufficient rest, failing to listen to warning signals from your body, a lapse in concentration by a training partner. The list is endless.
However, I don’t propose to teach you how to avoid injuries today. Rather, get to realized a basic pattern among athletes that may help you cope with and overcome an injury while on the healing path.
The first stage of healing is denial. Many athletes are pros at this, ignoring the pain in hopes that it will go away. You do this initially with an injury to buffer the negative consequences until you can figure out how to deal with it.
Many athletes believe they are tough enough to train/race through the pain. Keep in mind though, pain is your body’s warning sign of injury/inflammation and no matter how tough you are, you can’t beat biology.
Next, reality sets in and you become angry, immediately rationalizing away responsibility for what’s happened. You blame someone or something else — your coach, the steepness of the hill, your saddle height, anything to displace the blame from yourself.
Then you start bargaining. When anger doesn’t relieve the pain or make the swelling go down, you bargain and agree to make a pact with anyone who will help you face the denial and get through the anger. You’ll try to cut the best deal with what you feel are the best odds of minimal rehab, all possible shortcuts, and minimal time with an elevated appendage.
But when you don’t get to do it your way, the next stage is inevitable — depression.
This is when the confusion, self-doubt and fear set in. You feel vulnerable and out of control, be it money for race registration or travel, loss of connection with your contemporaries, or whatever.
You lose some of that mental sharpness and enthusiasm that previously sustained you. But somewhere in all this, things get clearer and injury rehab gets on track.
Finally you get to acceptance — time to deal with the injury and get on with it. Learn to make the best of the scenario and be positive, in plan and attitude.
Similar to a training plan, your recovery must be systematic, realistic and flexible for adjustment. Recognize and get yourself through the various mental stages of injury recovery and you can better help a friend when they go through the same process. You’ll be a stronger, smarter and a better person and athlete in both cases.
— Angie Ferguson is an exercise physiologist from Fort Myers. She is also a USA Cycling and USA Triathlon coach. She can be reached at www.gearedup.biz.
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