As I previously described, my rehabilitation process has been far from linear. It has been marked by ups and downs, small victories, and periods of doubt. Recently, I found myself again in a situation where my body started reacting negatively, and I feared a significant setback.
I began to wonder if my previous stress reaction had healed properly at all, and the uncertainty about what was happening started to weigh more and more mentally.
To gain clarity and avoid letting worries run wild, I decided, in collaboration with a doctor from Team Danmark, to undergo a scan. It was meant to give me a more objective picture of the situation, and hopefully peace of mind.
Turning Point
Fortunately, the scan showed that the injury had healed very well and there was no sign of a new injury or actual relapse.
The news became a mental turning point. Not just because it was good news, but because from that moment I could let go of fear and instead focus on solutions and the next steps.
It's interesting how clearly it became to me how strong the connection between body and mind is: When my thoughts found peace, my body almost immediately began to feel better both physically and in training.
Reaction and Adjustment
With a clearer starting point, I began to analyze what could have been the cause of the symptoms and tensions I had experienced.
In collaboration with Team Danmark's doctor, I concluded that cycling, especially the hard and intensive sessions, had likely been too much of a strain on the thighs. It became clear to me that this was where I needed to change approach.
We chose to completely cut out cycling and replace it with aqua jogging and outdoor running. Additionally, I intensified treatment of the thighs and relieved the tensions that had been bothering me for a long time with peace of mind.
At the same time, I took a step back in the training plan and shifted my focus. I reduced both volume and intensity and returned to a simpler approach: Just run. Without pushing. Without chasing form or times. And this approach has proven to work really well.
The quick and clear progress, both physically and mentally, was a strong reminder that sometimes "less is more" especially when the body has been stressed. Daring to let go temporarily and allowing oneself to recover and rebuild is currently a necessary investment in the long run.
My process is still ongoing, and I'm not at the goal yet or back to normal training volume. But for the first time in a while, it feels like the body is strong, stable, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is peace in thoughts and direction in training—bringing joy and positive thoughts.
It will go well, and the summer's goals are realistic.
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