The difficulty of healing from an injury that prevents you from running for days or weeks is amplified by the fact that you can’t run while you’re healing. Some injuries heal over time, but chronic ones call for a unique outlook and resolve.
The podcast host’s guest this week got the type of bad news no one wants to hear: he or she may never be able to run again.
Before Connor Meakin started ultramarathoning, he was already a world-class athlete. Before beginning his career in long-distance running, he spent four years as a member of the Canadian men’s national field hockey team. After running a road marathon, he took to the trails and mountains like a fish to water, and in 2014 he dominated the competition, winning a string of events.
During a lengthy trail run in 2014, I sprained my ankle badly, which quickly developed into a far more serious ailment. Like many of us, Connor tried to run and race despite being injured. The foot ailment then progressed and caused him more problems.
Seeking medical assistance, Connor was informed by an experienced radiologist that his injury was among the worst he had ever seen. The doctor advised him to take up cycling instead of running, warning that he might never run again in a competitive setting.
Most athletes would give up hope after hearing such discouraging news. And Connor did, too, for a time. It hurt too much to be around the sport he loved but was unable to partake in, so he avoided it completely.
Despite the odds, Connor was able to return to running after four years. Now that he’s fit again, he’s picking up right where he left off, having already won a 50k this year. His emotional and physical healing took a long time and involved many of the common phases of grief, including denial, rage, sadness, and acceptance.
Recovering From an Injury Over Time, by Connor Meakin
Connor sought out various medical professionals, including a second and third opinion, and experimented with a wide range of treatment options as he attempted to recover from his injuries. Some may have made the situation worse, while others appeared to be helpful in a more substantial way. BlueBird Provisions Bone Broth was his way of channeling the enthusiasm he had during his recuperation and as a result of his studies.
We all know that ignoring the ailment, pushing through the agony, and doing anything out of desperation aren’t the best ways to get well from an injury.
In this segment, Connor Meakin talks about the methods that did help him get better.
- Realizing the extent of his wound,
- Exhaustion Restorative Cross-Training Adaptive Gait Re-Education
- Exploring the latest medical literature on injury rehabilitation
- Orthopedic treatment
You’ll be able to connect to Connor’s story whether you’re dealing with an ailment on a physical or emotional level, or you’re just trying to stay healthy and prevent injuries entirely.
