The last two and a half weeks, I have been confined to one of those lovely, chunky, velcro, black boots. Unfortunately, it doesn't really match anything I try to wear and is quite the inconvenience when you're trying to run across the country. But, I know it is helping me heal (though it seems to take forever). This injury has added a new challenge to the summer that I was not expecting. The challenge of staying positive in the shadows of disappointment and frustration.
About two weeks into the trip, I was having some severe pain in my right shin. Hoping that it was just some shin splints from running 40 miles that week already, I taped it up with some KT tape, rocked my compression socks everywhere, took some Advil, iced, and continued on my merry little way. That day was a 14 mile total and I made it to about mile 12 and began to really hurt more than I knew I should. But, my stubbornness overpowered my common sense and I finished the last two miles of the day. A couple hours later, I couldn't walk. So, that escalated quickly.
Thankfully, we were heading into Sandy, UT which is right outside of Salt Lake City. One of my teammates has family in the area and was able to get a recommendation for me to see a doctor while I was there. Of all the doctors I could've been referred to, I was sent to Dr. Testa. He is one of the most experienced, respected and well known physicians in the cycling world. He has been a USA Tour de France team physician more than once, so I was having a bit of a "fan girl" moment when I found out that's who I would be seeing.
When I arrived in Salt Lake City the morning of my appointment, I was welcomed into an incredible training facility and office. After an X-Ray and ultra sound, I was diagnosed with a stress fracture and thankfully hadn't torn any muscle or ligaments. I was then confined to a crutches for at least 10-14 days, and a boot for at least 4 weeks. Not what a runner wants to hear. But, I had to shoulder the diagnosis and keep a positive mind.
As I was leaving the office with my teammate, we bumped into a triathlete that I have followed for a couple years. Cue "fan girl" moment number 2. Lora Erickson (@theblonderunner) happily chatted with us, asked us questions about our run, and then asked to take a picture with us so she could share it with her followers. Having one of your inspirations tell you that she is impressed with you is one of the greatest, most unforgettable moments.
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| Hannah Rickets, Lora Erickson, Margarett Frisby at Intermountain Live Well Center |
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| Though I had a very unfortunate diagnosis in regards to my running and the remainder of the trip, I had an overall amazing experience with Dr. Testa, his colleagues and the Intermountain Live Well Center. |
After a long back and forth discussion with my parents, my leaders and my team coordinator, we made the decision that I would take a leave of absence from the 4k for Cancer run for a couple weeks while I recovered and hobbled around on crutches. The thought of leaving my team for a couple weeks was completely devastating, heart breaking, and disappointing after working endlessly for months to make this trip possible. But, alas, the next day, I boarded a one way flight back to Memphis.
While I could've wallowed in self pity and become a stick in the mud, I promised myself that I would not let that happen. I would not allow this set back to ruin my experience and my love for 4K and running. I've had injuries before, and I'll most likely have injuries again. I opted to take care of my body, take a step back, rest at my parents' house, and rejoin the team in a couple weeks. I had worked too hard for the last six months for it to be blemished with a pity party. I'd rather have a dance party.
After a couple weeks of books, puzzles, and naps, I was given the clear to rejoin my team in Chicago! While I'm still sporting this boot, I am back where I belong, I am back where my heart was, I am back with Team Baltimore. I am so glad to be back with my team, even if I'm their cheerleader for now.
Staying positive throughout this recovery made it easier to stay in touch with my team without developing bitterness and FOMO (fear of missing out), allowed me to reunite with my team seamlessly, and continues to allow me to be a part of 4k for Cancer though I am not running until next week (very limitedly). Staying positive allowed me to remember why I am running, why I chose to do this, and made even clearer that this battle to recover is still so small compared to the battle of those fighting cancer. Fighting negative mentality is often half the battle of challenges.
“What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.” - J. Sidlow Baxter
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