Doctors aren't always right

I still go running, even though my doctor forbids it.

I remember sitting in the doctor's office, waiting for the dreaded news.

When he came in, he listed many things I was to stop doing: No high jump, long jump, hurdles, basketball and no running.

It came as a shock. At the time, I was in an athletics club and a basketball team. It wasn’t easy to just let that go.

While I was able to phase out the basketball, running was so crucial to my weekly routine; I just couldn’t let go of it.

So I didn’t.

I was fired up to find a solution. I wanted to keep running in my life. It was not an option to let that go.

New beginnings are the hardest.

I had scoliosis, a curved spine. This meant all impact sports would not improve but worsen the situation. I wore a back brace and had other issues to figure out before I could reintroduce running into my life.

My learnings from this experience are jotted down in this article.

Anyhow, this was the beginning of a new lifestyle. But I was determined to shape it to my own best ability.

So I started running again.

And it was hard. Not the running itself but rather the pain afterwards. I tried stretching before and afterwards.

Nothing changed much.

An Osteopath to the rescue

One day, my mum had enough and took me to an Osteopath. The exercises he gave me were excellent! Suddenly I knew what I needed to do when my back was in pain.

I tried running further distances and more frequently. Still, I needed to stretch for an extended period before and after the run.

The pain, however, was almost gone.

I was ecstatic. This had never happened before.

A daily routine is critical.

As things improved, I tried training according to a running plan. Now I do three runs a week. They’re short but not slow. I always have at least one day to recover.

I started this routine in March this year, and it’s become part of my weekly goal. Surprisingly, my pain is getting less and less every day. I think it’s because the back muscles are getting stronger. Strong muscles mean good back support.

Lessons for the runner

These insights I have gained throughout the last few years have changed my outlook on doctors. They want to do their best to protect you. But the doctor can not see your willingness to succeed.

It all comes down to your mindset. I put my mind to keep running in my life and was determined not to give up. You also will have your own health issues or motivational problems with running.

Put your heart into it and you will reap the benefits.

There truly is nothing better than getting back from a good run and feeling exhausted but happy. You are full of energy for the day and ready to tackle the next challenge life will throw you.

Keep running and as always, stay safe.

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