Hi, I’m Bryony. If you know me, you know I love to move. Running, Hyrox, training—it’s what I do, it’s who I am. So, when I found myself with two sprained ankles, I wasn’t just dealing with the physical pain; the real challenge was in my head.
The Frustration of Being Sidelined
Injury is frustrating. One day, you’re pushing yourself, feeling strong, and the next, you’re hobbling around wondering how you ended up here. For me, it was during some plyometric training—one bad landing, and suddenly both ankles had given up on me. I couldn’t run, couldn’t jump, could barely walk properly. And for someone whose life revolves around movement, that hit hard.
Losing Routine, Losing Identity
When training is part of your daily routine, suddenly being unable to do it feels like losing a piece of yourself. I didn’t just miss the exercise—I missed the structure, the challenge, the post-workout buzz. More than anything, I missed feeling like me.
It’s easy to slip into a negative headspace when your body isn’t cooperating. Every rest day felt like a step backwards, every missed workout a missed opportunity to improve. And of course, there was the classic fear: What if I don’t come back as strong? What if I lose all my progress?
Finding a New Normal
But here’s what I learned: progress doesn’t always mean pushing harder. Sometimes, progress is about listening to your body, slowing down, and finding new ways to stay engaged. I started focusing on what I could do instead of what I couldn’t.
- I swapped running for upper body strength work.I spent more time on mobility and prehab—something I should’ve done more of anyway!
- I worked on mindset, reminding myself that setbacks aren’t the end, they’re just part of the process.
- And yes, I got creative with my recovery, using Tend to help speed things up. With ankles, it’s tricky, but I found that using it around my calves and hamstrings helped keep my legs feeling good despite the reduced movement.
The Comeback Mentality
If you’re struggling with an injury, I get it. It’s tough. But here’s my advice: don’t let it define you. Find small wins where you can, keep your mind engaged, and trust that your body will heal. You’ll be back—stronger, smarter, and maybe even more grateful for every step, every rep, every finish line. Maybe even give Tend a try! It really helped me on my recovery journey.