The Doc and The Rock

The Doc and the Rock

The 1970’s Jim Fixx running movement swept me up. As a teen on the farm, my first run up the grid road started a love affair that carried me into my forties.

But Goliath arrived in all walks of my life. In July 2000 I was chasing down a fly ball when something twisted, and I collapsed. In the moment I shook it off and limped home.

Something was wrong. For years I saw several sport physical therapists and two orthopedic surgeons. Every professional told me everything was fine.

By June 2024 – twenty-four years later – I couldn’t walk a block, raise a knee, or stand on one leg. Pain radiating from my right hip rippled into each waking and (non) sleeping hour.

Buy an MRI

“Buy an MRI,” Intuition spoke. I thought it would be like ordering pizza. I was wrong.

·         In Saskatchewan, a privately paid MRI requires a medical doctor’s requisition.

·         My family doctor would not do so and instead referred me to a sports physician.

·         That physician told me I was getting older and that I ought to consider replacing the painful right hip (emphasis added).

·         When I asked the fourth time, he dropped his head in exasperation and wrote the requisition I needed to buy an MRI.

·         Three days later I happily handed $800 to a Central Alberta Imaging Centre.

·         The MRI confirmed the left hamstring tendon (emphasis added) was torn through.

Healing a Tendon

A physiotherapist gave me principles of tendon repair and exercises beyond my capability.

·         I believed my body could fully recover.

·         I scaled back the rehabilitation exercises and created my own.

·         The workouts boringly simple and neurologically and physically exhausting.

·         Exhaustion confirmed my body was healing and growing a new movement pattern.

·         The head coach at my gym added ideas and educated me on rest: work ratios.

The Kettle Bell and the Rock

·         Twelve months after the MRI, I ran the river hills.

·         I hoisted a kettle bell while standing on a rock.

·         From the rock to the doc is my favorite picture of all time.

·         I plan to do more.

Navigate Conflict

Sometimes it’s hard to discern dismissive messages when they sound polite.

Sometimes it’s tempting to give in to an expert’s opinion.

Mostly I thank my upbringing for teaching me to navigate all forms of conflict, especially when I’m pressured to knuckle under.