Week 6: Staying Consistent in Recovery

There’s a quote by Maya Angelou that’s stuck with me throughout this recovery:

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

Those words have become my mantra. When I first got injured, it felt like everything I had been working for was slipping through my fingers (I had several races planned this fall). But I decided early on that I wasn’t going to let this setback define me. I was going to fight, recover, and come back stronger.

The first few days after returning to Virginia were some of the toughest I’ve ever experienced. Simple tasks became very challenging, like bathing, washing my hair, cooking, making my bed, cleaning the floors.

But as hard as those days were, I knew that if I didn’t start making changes immediately, I could lose more than just physical strength. I could lose my sense of purpose. So, I set a routine. Every morning no later than 6 a.m., I’m up and starting my exercises. It might sound small, but those early workouts—crunches, one-arm rows, leg extensions—became my lifeline. They proved that even though I wasn’t where I wanted to be, I was moving in the right direction.

Some days were better than others. On those days, I pushed myself a little harder. I added weighted vests to my shoulder presses and squats, gradually increasing the load as I regained strength. On the hard days, I reminded myself that showing up was enough. Even when the discomfort made me want to quit, I kept going. That’s the thing about recovery: It’s not about perfection; it’s about persistence.

What people don’t talk about enough is the mental strain that comes with recovery. Physically, my body was slowly getting stronger, but mentally, I faced constant battles. There were days when I felt like progress wasn’t happening fast enough. Days when the itchiness from the medication or the frustration of dealing with the PICC line, or watching the atrophy occur in my right leg made me want to cry or scream.

One of the most challenging days was when I met with my new orthopedic surgeon to discuss surgery. I couldn’t help but imagine the worst—what if the surgery went wrong? What if my recovery stalled? What if I couldn’t run again? So many thoughts go through my head. I know enough to know what could happen, especially with the MRSA infection as a variable in this equation.

But even in moments of doubt, I remind myself of the bigger picture. I don’t have control over every aspect of this process, but I do have control over how I show up.

Something unexpected happened as I moved through this process this week—I started to notice the support from people around me. It wasn’t always grand gestures, but small, meaningful moments that helped me stay positive.

I remember one day, after hopping to the mail room, I ran into a neighbor who asked how I was doing. That little interaction lifted my spirits. Another day, the front desk attendant at my building mentioned he hadn’t seen me running in a while. I didn’t even realize people noticed my routine, but they did.

These moments might seem insignificant, but they’ve been powerful motivators. Sometimes, knowing that others care—even if it’s just a quick “How are you?”—can make all the difference.

As much as I’d like to say my recovery has been a straight path, it hasn’t. There have been real challenges, especially when dealing with insurance. I’m going to have to fight for coverage, appeal denials, and go through endless rounds of paperwork to get the care I need and deserve. United Healthcare has denied payment for my second hospitalization, claiming it wasn’t necessary. The frustration is overwhelming.

But if I’ve learned anything during this journey, it’s that I can’t control every obstacle, but I can control my response. So, while I’m frustrated, I’m not letting it stop me. I’m appealing the decisions, pushing forward with my medical appointments, and making sure that nothing stands in the way of my recovery.

I have many more weeks ahead on this journey. I have goals for the spring that motivate me daily (5K run, a hike in Zion….I will be there!!).

If there’s one thing I want you to take from my story, it’s this: Don’t give up. No matter what you’re going through—whether it’s an injury, an illness, or any other challenge—you have the power to push through it. I won’t pretend it’s easy because it’s not. But it’s possible.

You may not control everything that happens to you, but you have control over how you respond. And that, more than anything, will shape your journey.