For any parent who has ever raised a competitive athlete, there is one thing we all worry about every day whether we realize it or not. What if my child gets injured? How will they respond? How will we respond? This fear looms large in the world of swimming where muscles and tendons endure grueling workouts that would make the average person crawl up in a ball and cry.
This summer I have been along for this ride — the road back from injury to recovery, a heartbreaking, time-consuming emotional roller coaster when your child’s body cannot perform the way their heads and hearts desire. I’m still on this journey. X-Rays, physical therapy, and sadness for lost opportunities and cheering from the sidelines have been the norm. I asked my daughter what she has learned from this long journey. And I’ve learned a few things myself. So here are some tips for overcoming injury and never losing sight of the end goal.
Nothing is guaranteed. While most injuries can be healed through therapy, surgery, or rest, you never know for sure. So savor every meet, practice, friendship and locker room gabbing session. Give it your all. There are people who would love to have the chance you’re being given. Don’t waste a second.
Take the time to gain some perspective. Reflect on why you swim and where you want to go. Not everyone can be an Olympian. Perhaps, you want to swim in college. Or maybe you want to enjoy the sport now and prepare for a lifetime of competing in Masters. You don’t have to be Missy Franklin or Michael Phelps to gain great things from this sport. The life lessons learned when victory or defeat is defined in milliseconds are priceless.
Be good to yourself. Even if all you can manage is 2000 yards on a kickboard, embrace this with determination and optimism. Maybe the next day it’s 3000 yards. If you follow the plans set by your doctor, practice the same great nutrition you would be doing if you were swimming the mile, and remain optimistic, you’ll be back. And you might learn a thing or two. My daughter now knows she just can’t compete in all the distance without a well- planned program of core conditioning and strength training. It is as important as logging 40,000 yards a week. Experience is a great if sometimes cruel teacher.
Injury is not the end generally. It can be a new beginning. When you’ve been doing something you love for 12 years and suddenly you have to limit it or stop all together, it is okay to feel sad. It is normal to dread the therapy, to long to leap from the blocks, and miss the thrill of competing. How you react and prepare for what is next defines you. It builds character. Character matters all the days of your life
Resilience is one of life’s great treasures. Almost every swimmer and athlete will need this during their journey. You can cry for what is lost or you can dream about and plan for the future. It is your choice. Choose wisely. The most successful people in life know how to bounce back and move forward. It is a core quality of great leaders.
Count on your teammates and coaches. Most have been there. No one will get it more than them. Swimming is not about the destination. It is not about one meet. Or even about one season. It’s a journey. If you focus only on the end result, you may be woefully disappointed. Of course swimmers strive for best times, mind-boggling swims, and recognition. Otherwise, why wake up blurry-eyed at 4:45? But it is more of a lifestyle. And look at the bright side, swimmers have some of the most fit bodies in the planet. Who can’t rejoice in that?
Embrace the moment. It too is fleeting. One thing I know for sure about my daughter’s struggles this summer. She appreciates the sport even more. She is like a fish out of water right now. While it has been rather difficult most days, I know that she better appreciates the opportunities she has been given to participate in something she loves. The water is her home. And the pool will welcome her back like a long lost friend.
I’ve also learned a thing a two about courage, sheer determination, and the love for something you can’t imagine living without. So here is a shoutout to our kids for their unwavering commitment to what happens between the lane lines.
Donna Hale has been a swim mom for 12 years as well as executive of several nonprofit organizations. She volunteers regularly for her daughter Hannah’s USA Team The Potomac Marlins, summer team Burke Station Destroyers, and Lake Braddock Swim and Dive Bruins.
We expect so much from our kids. And sometimes all we measure is the numbers — the clock. It takes courage to claw your way back. A fighting spirit to stay in the game. Might not be kind that you need for gold medal, but it’s what’s needed for life.
Blessings to your brave daughter.
Great article! My daughter was side-lined this year when at 12 years old she was diagnosed with cancer. She was set to go to age group state in 6 events and was at the top of her age group and feeling great. She had worked so hard and was going to miss it. While she has been back in the water now, it has been a struggle to build back what she lost in her time out and also coping with the pain of the healing from surgery. She never quite understood how much the sport meant to her until she couldn’t do it. The pool is definately her home away from home, and I see a renewed passion in… Read more »
This article brought tears to my eyes. It sums what we’ve been going through perfectly. My child has an injury that may not be able to be healed. Swimming my be too aggravating for her body. It’s been a struggle to get answers and to find something that works. It’s painful when you want to train hard and can’t. Its hard watching everyone have success and harder still to listen to those complain about swimming when all you want us the opportunity. How do you keep kids physically and mentally healthy went they can’t do what they love? Grace and resilience are lessons learned fro my daughter,
At the same time we have tried to stay grateful. Grateful that… Read more »