Being back in running after an injury feels like regaining a part of yourself. It's both euphoric and risky. Euphoric, because the body remembers what it means to move freely and strongly. Risky, because joy can quickly mask the body's warnings, leading to over-eagerness. That's precisely the balance I'm navigating now.
My road back began after a stress reaction in the femur—an overload injury requiring a complete running pause. The first three weeks were without a single running step. Instead, I sat on the bike, cautiously building up circulation and strength, without straining the injured area. It was frustrating—I wanted out. But it was necessary. The body needed calm.
First Steps, With and Without Help
Then I slowly started running on the Alter-G—a treadmill that reduces load by "holding" some of your body weight. It was a huge relief. For the first time in weeks, I could feel the running motion again, but without the full weight.
I gradually increased the weight and distance until I could finally take the first steps outside. First short runs, controlled, calm. But then—suddenly—it began to look like real running. I managed a few good sessions where everything felt easy, natural... Could I be back?
And then came the setback.
Long-term Patience
It wasn't a major setback—fortunately. But enough to slow me down again. Enough to remind me how narrow the line is in rehab. You want to get going again—especially when goals await ahead. It's a real challenge to listen to the body, particularly when you feel you're finally on the right path. When you feel almost healthy, almost ready.
But I've learned—and I'm still learning—that it's at these moments you win or lose the long game. It's there you decide whether to move forward genuinely or just temporarily push ahead. If you push through and ignore the signals, you risk going back to square one. It's not worth it.
Right now, I'm a bit behind my original plan. But I'm still on the way. The process isn't linear—it's zigzagging, filled with small victories and necessary setbacks. The most important thing is that I'm still moving forward. Not just towards running again—but towards running strong and sustainably again.
It's not just about getting back quickly. It's about getting back right.
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