When your therapist tells you, you should have an arsenal of coping skills-it turns out they really mean it.
As most people know, I am a runner. Running has been my longest and healthiest relationship-I hit my 23 year mark this summer. I use it to remain physically healthy. I force my shoes on knowing it will keep me mentally healthy. I remain so persistent because I know it will keep me attuned to the world, nature. And then September 2023 happened. While out on one of my normal Friday runs, I was hit by a car.
Suddenly I was thrust into relying on other coping skills, relying on other people and well, sitting. Neither of which I’m all that good at. I sat (I was non-weight bearing, which also means no driving, for three months!) and did nothing for months. It was painful. It was boring. And boy was also a good reminder that I need to be better in this area of practicing what I preach. I need to have other ways of remaining healthy, dealing with feelings and a robust support system. Denzel Washington and I became pretty close over that period of time. I leaned in to lots of dog snuggles and embraced (not by choice, trust me) help in really vulnerable ways such as getting in a shower. I had to trust the process and the people.
The people. My significant other for really carrying it all. The mom for showering my freezer with so many homemade meals. My best friend sister Erica, for the constant video calls. The E-4 tornado of a niece for such warmth, kindness and entertainment. My friends for the endless transportation requests filled. Last but certainly not the least, my team out at Runner PT. Really, this staff, I can’t talk enough about and have endless gratitude for. They greeted me with a smile, when I couldn’t muster one myself. They met me each and every time where I was at judgment free. They shot me straight in a way I could respect and therefore honor the “sit” of recovery. They pushed, they pulled, they never gave up on my body. They treated me like an athlete and because of that, I now consider myself one. Because of it all, I am now back to running. Slowly as usual and in smaller distances than normal, but running all the same.
Build your skills. Build your support system. Rebuild as needed.