The highs and lows of a healthy lifestyle ...

Dealing with injury disappointment in 5 helpful ways 

Choosing a runners life also means choosing a life of highs and lows.
It's not always about endorphins, finish lines, medals and high fives. Blood, sweat and tears are very, very real.

It starts with a high.

I was super excited when a number of readers of my blog contacted me to tell me that they had been inspired to enter this year's Melbourne Marathon. "Great news", I said and immediately became their number one cheerleader.

However now with only 3 weeks to go before the run I am sharing their disappointment as they have withdrawn due to injuries. "Aaaaaaaagh", I cried,  "It's not fair"! The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Before even reaching the start line.

What to say?    Here's 5 things to remember that are part of the runner's life.

1. WELL DONE FOR MAKING THE COMMITMENT

Just remember that you did much more than those who made excuses, those who said "I could never (or would never) do that", and those who said "why?" You took the first step (pun intended!), the biggest one .... the step of signing up.  You did a lot of training.  You became healthier and happier. Well done!  Regardless of what happened, you are closer to your goal than those still sitting on the couch. 

2. INJURIES HAPPEN .... 

The message came in like this ....

"Hey Macca, How is your training going? Unfortunately I have had to withdraw due to Achilles tendinitis - just a bit shattered. Time to refocus and aim for 2015..."

Another was due to a stress fracture that no matter how much positive thinking was applied just wouldn't go away.

Injuries range from blisters through to knee reconstructions.  They happen. Typically I am always running with some sort of strain, tiredness or ache. As I get more experienced I get better at listening to my body and knowing what the difference is. Sometimes I just suck it up, other times I get it treated. I ask questions, I share, I try and know what's going to be really bad to push through, but I accept these as part of really being a runner.

Us mere mortals get injured .... but so do the very best. My marathon hero, Ryan Hall, had to withdraw from the London Olympic Marathon. Now that's disappointment.  But the best also use it to their advantage, turning these days into motivation for the future.  That's a good mindset to have. 

This is Ryan Hall, he knows about being exultant in winning .....

... and hobbling in disappointment.

3. THERE'LL BE ANOTHER RACE NEXT YEAR

God willing,  next year the Melbourne Marathon will be on again (and it might even finish inside the mighty MCG stadium!)  Better to enjoy it and finish strong rather than be finished protesting "I'll never do that again!"  You have to fall in love with the idea of training and enjoy the multi-month journey, it's not just about the 42.2km on the day.

4. IT'S JUST A RACE .... NOT LIFE AND DEATH

Worse things have happened to other people today. What's more important is to remember that we are only competing against ourselves, and not the pack. Put it into perspective.

HOW CAN YOU HELP OTHERS? 

I've saved the best advice to last.  When you start thinking about others you'll feel less sorry for yourself.  My friend Tim raised over $10,000 for a charity so he could run the famous New York Marathon.  But a cyclone wiped out the event.  Did he stop?  No, he picked himself up and helped out with the relief efforts.  Now that's inspiring.  Then he went back the following year and smashed it!

You've got a lot of time over those many runs and many months, I encourage you to think about who you could help and how.  Put your mind to this and the kilometres will fly by, the weight will fall off and you'll be achieving goals much bigger and more important than claiming that Marathon medal.

Share with me what you think this might be.  I'll be your number one cheerleader!