Back in The Game!

As an athlete, injuries are obviously inevitable. The hardest thing to do after an injury is getting back into game mode. The very first day back at practice and being able to go your full potential is scary. There are so many different hesitations that come with reentering the game, especially with knee injuries. Going full throttle for the first time in practice requires confidence.

My very first day back after my very first knee surgery was the absolute worst. It was 9^th grade volleyball tryouts in August. I had gotten cleared to play the week before tryouts, so I was fresh out of physical therapy. The first day of tryouts I went home unsure if I would even make the team. I could barely run, I could only jump a little, and I was so out of shape! That night I went home from tryouts defeated because I thought I was going to be cut from the team. The next day I went in with full confidence that I could do everything everyone else was doing, and I did just that. I put full confidence in myself and my knee and I excelled, making J.V my freshman year.

After my recovery and reentry into volleyball, I realized that my confidence level was holding me back all along. I kept telling myself “you can’t do that”, “that might hurt”, or “you’re not strong enough yet to actually jump without falling.” Even though I had been doing these things all summer with my physical therapist, I did not think I could do it on my own without injuring myself. After all my knee injuries and surgeries, I feel like I have gotten more confident each time with working out and getting myself back out on the court.

Like I said in my last post, motivational speeches and songs definitely put an athlete in the right mindset to excel. Hearing other athletes’ stories on how they get back into the game after an injury helped give me the right motivation because if they can do it, so can I.

Every setback is a comeback. Check out this video on returning from an injury! Dr. Jarrod Spencer hits it spot on!

Pain = Greatness

WHEN I THINK ABOUT MY SETBACK, I CONTINUE TO SAY "TRY ME"

Everyone has major setbacks. I figured I already hit mine, 4 knee surgeries later. But I was wrong. Mine was 7 days ago.

I had been excelling in physical therapy. Doing all my workouts at home; twice a day, going to the gym, feeding my body the proper meals and protein. The ending result was in my mind. I was finally gaining the confidence that has been gone for months. Then I hit my setback. Every fragile leg has one main fear: slipping and falling. I had been lucky through the winter months without a slip and fall, until a week ago. Clumsy me, slips and falls… on carpet… Who does that, right? Well I did.

A few days after my slip and fall, I was left with a swollen leg that had popped out of place and my major setback. I am in pain; having a swollen knee is not the easiest thing to deal with. My physical therapist recommending me seeing my doctor, again. So I did. What was the news? A possible torn MCL and meniscus. I have a two week wait until another MRI is possible, more waiting for me!!!  

This setback is the worst setback I have ever had. But I must remain positive. All I can do now is push through the pain and gain strength.

As an athlete, staying positive is what we are good at. When I need some motivation I like to read other athletes stories, motivational quotes, anything to get me in the right mindset. (when I attempt to workout) motivational speeches and videos are a favorite for my playlist; TRY IT OUT, let me know how much it enhances your workout!

Feeling like you need motivation today? Check out one of my favorites below!

References: 

Image: https://addicted2success.com/quotes/24-dwayne-johnson-motivational-picture-quotes/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4nHSbqBXsc

RECOVERY: TAKE 4

Every recovering athlete must endure the long, hard road of physical therapy. Not only is physical therapy important for physical recovery, but mental recovery as well. As an injured athlete, especially with knee injuries, mentally preparing yourself to reenter practices and games is crucial. Gaining that confidence to step back out there and play again is tough. During the recovery process sitting on the sideline supporting your team is as close to getting in the game as you can get. Lets face it, no athlete likes to sit on the sideline, especially when they have no change at entering the game. Personally, sitting on the sidelines when I should be playing is what stalls my recovery the most.

My physical therapy has been getting more and more challenging after each surgery. Not only is the recovery process elongated because my physical strength is no longer there, the real challenge is staying mentally prepared and strong to recover. Quitting seemed like the best option after surgery number 4, and quite frankly, it still seems like the best option at times. When I have my off days, my painful days, and the days where it seems like it will never get better I must remember that the reward at the end will be worth it.

http://www.fitnessquotesimg.com/quotes-images/dont-quit-726165.jpg

Giving up should never be an option. Every athlete is trained to overcome the pain and put 110% effort at all times. The pain is already there, so why not push through it.

I am currently in week 8 of my recovery: UPDATE? There is no muscle contraction in my quad (so they have a machine do it for me, which is quite honestly the most painful thing I have ever done), I still can’t lift more than three pounds (a few reps only), I still walk with a limp, I can’t do basic ladder drills with speed yet, and I am still working on muscle memory.

Physical therapy is a crucial part of my recovery. Doing my exercises at home or at the gym on my days off are really what is going to help the extra boost with my strength and recovery. My favorite exercises to do are with different colored bands so I can track my strength and improvement.

Check out the video below for a few good exercises with bands for strengthening!

References:

http://www.fitnessquotesimg.com/quotes-images/dont-quit-726165.jpg 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA8HxekuOZ8

Words From an Athlete

“You’ll never play volleyball again”

My heart sank. These are the hardest words that I have ever had to swallow, and are the words that every athlete fears. Since I was 12 I had a passion for sports, with one in particular. Volleyball was not just a sport for me, it was a lifestyle. I had already had my first knee surgery just nine months prior to the new injury, so leaving the doctor’s office that day I was defeated, two knee surgeries before I could even drive! I thought my career was over my sophomore year in high school.

Going into my second knee surgery I was already acclimated to the lifestyle I was about to endure for the next few months of recovery, but those words the doctor told me that day were burned into my mind. My eye was on collegiate volleyball and going into surgery I thought I would never be able to reach that dream. Shortly after surgery my physical therapist pushed me to the limit, trying to save my career. Little did I know back then him pushing me how he did would pay off.

After months of hard work and dedication I returned stronger than ever, finally achieving my goal. A full ride scholarship was in my near future, making everything I was put through worth it. I became an All American for my Junior College; also, getting every other award I set my mind to. I quickly decided that I wanted to continue and play again, but the hard work and dedication I put in led me to knee surgery number three my sophomore year in college.

I was absolutely devastated, three knee surgeries by the time I was 20 years old. Looking back now, still recovering from surgery number four, the number three wasn’t all that bad! I decided to prove to myself that I could continue after I recovered, which took a longer than expected because of complications with my knee. I took two seasons off and then decided that I would play again, not knowing I only had one season left in me. I finished out my college career only playing for three years and endured four knee surgeries. If anyone knows struggle and needed motivation, it was me. My struggles and journey was, and still is, one of the defining moments in my life.

"A minor setback paves the way for a major

 comeback" - The Odyssey

Every setback I had proved to me that the comeback would be so much greater! I hope my personal journey through my past surgeries (and current surgery) show that giving up is never an option.