On December 7th, 2021 I injured my calf playing basketball. The aim of this article is threefold..
- I want to describe my injury
- I want to describe my frustration with the healing process.
- I want to make a case as to why its the best thing that could have happened
I had injured my right calf that night and I had to stop play within 2 minutes of it happening. It had felt like a sudden shock to the back of my lower leg, with a pop-like sensation. It was a feeling that I have felt for the very first time so my ancient hominid brain was bracing for the worst. Kobe and Kevin Durant came to mind, but they were actually elite athletes. As I limped to my car it was fear that was setting in: I am an accountant in my early 30s and I might need crutches.
This is the best thing that could have happened because
- It could have been much worse
- It opened up the door for other ways to grow. indeed I have been stuck in my ways in terms of intense workouts with suboptimal rest and sleep.
I originally injured my foot on December 7th 2021 and I had reaggreivated it (another pop) when attempting a sprint to catch the lightrail. The 2nd time was demoralizing because it was like “oh my god, could something be torn and require surgery”. Just as I have seen and reacted to many men my age losing their hairlines I have seen so many people whom i’ve enjoyed playing basketball with hang up their shoes for good. This weighed heavy on me. I reflected on basketball’s role in my life and for the first time imagining the circumference of the void that seems very large. This would be such a loss to me that I don’t even want to continue trying to imagine it. I would not have thought so morbidly had I never had gotten injured. Something seems to always coming for you. I think assuming it was worse than it was helped me put everything into perspective. The good news is that I will return to normal in due time. What I take with me is new perspectives on my body and a real wake up call to emphasize what will keep me further from injury and light on my feet. I love Basketball and now Spin and Running so even my new hobbies require something akin to motorcycle maintenance.
In order to do what I was birthed to do I need a body and mind kicking a century later. I am happy I spent so much time in the gym in the last 15 years. In the same sort of way, I think a modality such as Yoga helps you use your body properly. It sounds simplistic but I feel like im fear mongering in saying it can save you from your next injury. I took Pilates and was told to keep my feet in a table top position. Pilates ultimately teaches patience with your movements and to explore the core. The Tree trunk (core/hip flexors) so to speak is more important than the branches (arms/legs). We have an entire respiratory system that can be exercised while laying down. I have never swam laps but all of a sudden it’s another way to play the long game. I am so often fascinated by our human physiology by both learning and doing. All in all I am excited to add more and more variety as with it comes so much understanding into society and my community.
Staying fit it truly is an investment into your 40 year old, 55 year old, and 89 year old self. You know these days are coming and with an injury it can fast track your retirement. This is about being the strong person you can be to help the many people that are not making the investments now. Also its important to be purposeful about your pursuit to longetivity because there is nothing worse than being stuck alive when you would rather be asleep. The healthiest body but with little to live for and no friends his age cant be happening.
So to end this rant I want to be the healthiest I can be so I can enjoy this short life for as long as possible. A set of standards gets levied on people that I truly love. I am grateful for every close call but I promise to spend more time milking negative outcomes to frame life for the actual better.
