Some say runners are obsessive, driven, slightly unhinged, and maybe a bit masochistic. For me, I’m all that, plus an advocate for self-hypnosis and meditation. Let me tell you, when life throws you a literal curveball mid-marathon, these practices have a way of kicking in—without you even having to sit cross-legged. These practices embody my philosophy of Mind Over Miles.
Just over halfway through marathon training, I fell victim to a back injury that knocked me out for three weeks, affecting my progress and making race day feel uncertain. The marathon was approaching fast, and my goal had shifted: it was no longer about smashing a time but about finishing strong for a cause close to my heart.
We flew out of the UK on the Thursday, with the race on Sunday. Little sleep happened the night before, as anxiety kept me tossing and turning. I wondered if my back would hold. A few miles in, I felt the familiar twinge, and I told myself, ‘Just get through each mile, one by one.’ By mile 12, I thought, ‘Okay, maybe I’ll drop out around mile 17 if this back situation keeps deteriorating.’
But fate had a different plan. Right around halfway, someone clipped my heel. My brain went into slow motion: ‘Save the back!’ I twisted to land on my shoulder, which was possibly the worst trade-off ever. The pain was immediate; my hand and knees were scraped, and my shoulder was swelling. As adrenaline surged, I managed to start running again, but the pain wasn’t going anywhere.
That’s when self-hypnosis and meditation came to my rescue. I had to retreat somewhere in my mind that wasn’t screaming in pain. Somehow, I managed to keep moving, even as every step sent pain from my shoulder into my neck, jaw, and chest. With every mile, I reminded myself of the importance of Mind Over Miles. I could not believe that I actually crossed the finish line. Later I learnt that I’d completed the race with a partially dislocated shoulder.
I finished a bit battered and very shaken. It truly was a test of grit, mental training, and the power of focusing beyond pain. Self-hypnosis and meditation took me further than I thought possible. Proving they’re good for more than just calm mornings, they are there for the toughest miles too.
Rest and Recovery
I have become quite the expert at one handed living. Ironically since my shoulder has taken the brunt of the action over the last week, I have no back pain at all. I may not be hitting the pavements soon, however, I am already looking forward to the next marathon. Here’s to healing, bouncing back and enjoying the journey ahead!
