The worst injury a runner can get, and what I learnt from it.

At the start of 2024, I found myself deep into my training for my third London Marathon. With a goal in mind, I ignored all the warning signs of a potential injury—signs that, as a sports massage therapist and training sports therapist, I should have listened to. Ironically, this is something I always advise my clients never to do! And yet, there it was—a stress fracture of my tibia. I found myself in a boot and unable to run for at least six weeks.

Going through this healing process as a massage therapist was an eye-opening experience. It allowed me to fully understand the frustrations and challenges that my clients often face. Here are the key takeaways from my recovery journey:

Frustration is Part of the Process

Dealing with an injury is mentally tough. The frustration of being unable to train, coupled with the fear of losing progress, was overwhelming at times. I had to remind myself that healing is just as important as training and that taking a step back was necessary to move forward.

Recovery is Not Just Rest

Simply staying off my feet wasn’t enough—I had to actively work on my rehabilitation. This included mobility exercises, strength training to support the affected area, and focusing on proper nutrition. This approach is now something I emphasise even more with my clients.

Listening to Your Body is Crucial

My biggest mistake was ignoring my body’s signals. Pain is an early warning system, and pushing through discomfort only leads to greater setbacks. This experience reinforced my commitment to educating clients on recognising and respecting their body’s limits.

Patience is Key

As someone who thrives on movement, being forced to slow down was difficult. However, I learned that true recovery requires patience. Rushing back into training too soon would only increase my risk of re-injury. This is a lesson I now stress to every client recovering from an injury.

This injury has changed the way I approach both my own training and my work as a therapist. I now put even greater emphasis on injury prevention, helping my clients understand the importance of recovery, gradual progression, and paying attention to their bodies. Experiencing this firsthand has given me a new level of empathy and a deeper understanding of what my clients go through.

While injuries are frustrating, they also provide valuable learning opportunities. By embracing a holistic recovery approach, managing training loads effectively, and truly listening to our bodies, we can come back stronger, wiser, and better prepared.



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