NFE Runner Looks to Turn Injury into Opportunity

Injuries can plague even the most seasoned running veterans. Below is a poignant reflection from Bob Skold about how recovering from an injury can be just as challenging as finishing 26.2 miles.

by: Bob Skold

I have been running for almost twenty years, and now I am dealing with (not so well) my first running injury. I have a shin splint due to muscle overuse and likely from increasing my stride at one of my last marathons; interestingly enough due to tweaking my technique after reading a book on running. Lesson learned: never make any changes from your training during a marathon (YIKES!). Recovering from an injury is harder than finishing a marathon. Here is how I am trying to cope and prepare myself for a full recovery.

First off I have used some reference books to learn more about various types of running injuries to properly diagnose the nature of the injury – where I am injured, the cause and the treatment. There is an art and skill to distance running, and the more you know, the greater your chance of meeting your goals and staying healthy so that you may run strong and happy.

Secondly I am reaffirming my goal of enjoying a lifestyle of healthy running and that means keeping the larger goals in perspective; learning to be smart about how long it takes to heal. The body has a natural timetable. Each morning I test my leg, and I am quite anxious to lace the running shoes back up. I’m in it for the long haul, and I’ll wait for the soreness to completely go away. This means listening to my body. The point here is: run through annoyance but not through pain.

I am trying really hard to look at this injury as an opportunity. I am using my recovery time to pursue other interests like learning how to sign (smile here), and I am experimenting with some crosstraining options. I am rethinking how grateful I am to enjoy running — an attitude of gratitude because for me running really is a gift. Sometimes you really don’t appreciate the good things in life until you have to miss them.

I never knew how much I identified myself so fully as a ‘runner’ until I had this injury. I have had to dig deep and realize self-esteem comes from the inside and should not be dependent on circumstances. Still, I look forward to becoming a healthy and much older and wiser runner. Because in part for my next blog I would rather write about the joy of running.

Bob Skold works for the NF Endurance Team from Denver, Colo., and helps with runner support and team communications. An avid runner, Bob has a goal of completing 50 lifetime marathons. He plans on running in the Athens Classic Marathon on his 56th birthday on Oct. 31, 2010.