Last weekend a former athlete reached out to me. Seumas was one of the student athletes on the university sports scholarship programme I was responsible for (his sport was rugby union), and I trained Seumas for perhaps three years during my time in Edinburgh before we moved to New Zealand. Aside from seeking to wish me happy birthday, Seumas wanted to thank me for the knowledge and coaching input I gave him as an athlete, but more specifically for helping him through challenging times during an extended injury lay off. Seumas went on to say that the help and guidance during that time had strengthened him mentally, and as a result has had an enduring benefit in all aspects of his life since then. The idea that the coaching I provided to an athlete might have had a lasting impression on them is of course gratifying, but more striking was the assertion that there was a real impact on the life of the athlete. So that is the theme for this week’s post.
TRAINING ENVIRONMENT AS SANCTUARY…
One of the reasons I object so much to the trend among athletes to refer to training as ‘the grind’ is that this entirely misses the mark. The pursuit itself has meaning. Athletes who fail to find meaning in the process will struggle to have enduring success. It is revealing that athletes who have long and successful careers frequently comment on the fact that they enjoyed being in the training environment, and found the process of preparing and honing their craft rewarding in itself.
During difficult times the training environment can provide a sanctuary for athletes. Another athlete I worked with in Edinburgh, who was actually the reason I took up coaching track and field athletics, had perhaps the best attitude to training of any athlete I have encountered. Mhairi was a young mother, and her mindset was that her sessions on the track and in the gym were precious to her, as essentially the only times in the week that were dedicated exclusively to herself. What made this more striking is that Mhairi was a 400m runner and so most of our track workouts were pretty unpleasant.
Returning to Seumas and his story, the ankle injury Seumas suffered initially seemed innocuous (he lost his footing on a damp pitch). However, as time went on the pain did not resolve, and for almost a year, despite excellent medical and physio care and extensive imaging, we did not have a definitive diagnosis. Exploratory surgery eventually revealed not one but two underlying issues, but in the meantime Seumas was unable to tolerate any running activity, and this was essentially the situation for over two years.
During this extended period of frustrations and pain, our training sessions in the weights room provided a rare outlet where Seumas could invest his energies in a positive way, and essentially became his sanctuary.
THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE OBSTACLE…
With recalcitrant injuries (the one Seumas suffered being an extreme example) I find myself in the unique position where I can make a positive contribution. Whatever the injury, we are always able to find something the athlete can do. In this way, I am able to provide the athlete with something they can invest themselves in. Regardless of the restriction we can still use this time productively and find areas that the athlete can work to improve.
Aside from being hugely beneficial from an athletic preparation and return to performance viewpoint, what is perhaps more meaningful is that the training process during these times provides a vital mental boost. Beyond the physical aspects, extended periods of injury can take a considerable mental and emotional toll on the individual. During these times physical preparation thus becomes a crucial means to manage both physical and mental aspects, and can greatly assist the athlete in coping with the emotional impact.
Once again, the pursuit itself matters, especially when battling with recurrent or recalcitrant injuries. Giving the athlete something positive to invest themselves in, and an objective to work towards, allows them to derive a real sense of purpose. The process also provides the athlete with a feeling of progress, at a time when this is hard to come by elsewhere.
Much the same applies to the return to performance process following major injury. When coming back from significant injuries with extended timelines, it is highly refreshing to enable the athlete and explore with them what they are able to do, when all the focus elsewhere is on what they are not able to do. Once again we can provide a vital sense of purpose and positivity during what can otherwise be dark times. Similarly, the process provides short term objectives and tangible sense of progress, which helps to cope with what is otherwise a daunting prospect of the long road ahead.
Times of adversity certainly reveal character, and the experience of coming through these trials can serve to provide individuals with a newfound sense of strength and confidence in their ability to cope with future challenges. Certainly Seumas went through some dark times, but whilst it was a difficult journey he ultimately prevailed, and the lessons and tools Seumas took from the experience have left him well equipped to handle challenges in his life since then. It was a privilege to go through the journey with him.
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