Stay the Course

MUSINGS FROM A COACH - 14 JANUARY '25

Can you recall 10 weeks ago? It feels like just yesterday.

Ten weeks ago yesterday, I underwent surgery (or, as Jennifer prefers to call it, a “procedure”) to repair a torn piece of my meniscus in my left knee. Initially, I was uncertain about the recovery duration, ranging from 5 to 12 weeks. However, when I woke up, the doctor informed me that I would be non-weight-bearing for two weeks and that the recovery would be longer than I had anticipated.

“I’m so sorry, Mark,” he said. “You’ll need crutches for two weeks, and the recovery will take longer than you hoped.”

“I don’t care!” I replied in a slightly drugged voice. “Did it all look good? Will it be fixed?”

“You bet!” he assured me. “That’s all I care about,” I said. That attitude persisted for the next two days as the medication and “blocker” worked their magic. However, after that, I found it challenging to envision a positive outcome.

First, mad props for those folks who have to use crutches - they suck!

The two weeks that followed seemed to stretch on endlessly. I required assistance with various tasks and owe Jennifer an immense debt of gratitude for all she did for me during that period. Every day, I would witness individuals riding mountain bikes or running past my house, and I couldn’t fathom the possibility of even walking normally.

As an endurance coach, I am constantly immersed in the world of sports, reading articles, following sports updates, and reviewing equipment for both professional and amateur athletes. This constant exposure made it even more challenging for me to envision myself training again, let alone walking normally.

After those two weeks, I finally managed to ditch the crutches. A week later, I jumped on the bike trainer, and a week after that, I returned to the pool. Within two months, I began to see that elusive light at the end of the tunnel, and it grew brighter with each passing day.

Two days ago, I had my first Alpine ski day and will be skinning up our local hill when you read this. While I won’t be able to run for a few more weeks, I feel like I have finally emerged from this challenging phase.

This story can be shared by anyone, regardless of whether it involves injury. When we take a break from fitness, the duration and intensity of the break can make it challenging to see any positive progress when we attempt to return.

Everything initially seems to take an eternity, and progress appears to be slow and incremental. However, with each passing day and week, the pace of change accelerates, and what once seemed insurmountable gradually becomes more achievable.

Therefore, if you’re delaying your fitness routine or are simply starting back after a challenging period, it’s crucial to persevere. Before you realize it, 10 weeks will have passed!

Gratefully,

Mark CEO Team MPI