Overcoming dreaded injuries (Part III)

Editor's note: Last in a three-part series by Erin Moeller, 35, of Mount Vernon. Erin is a lifelong runner who qualified for the last two Olympic Marathon Trials. A native of Ryan, she's a graduate of North-Linn and Wartburg and works for Benchmark Inc. in Cedar Rapids. She has two children - Ryne (8) and Evelyn (3) - and one on the way with husband Andy.

By Erin Moeller, community contributor

For many of us, running is our form of therapy. It's part of who we are, it's our time alone to get away and think, it's our opportunity to meet up with pals and is very much part of our social life.

What if this is all suddenly gone? What if our injuries don't react well to rest and ice or physical therapy? What if we're told to stop running for an extended period?

How are you going to react to this basket of lemons you've been given?

Just like everything in life, you have the power to choose your attitude and your response to adversity. Are you going to pucker up, suck on the sour lemon and have yourself a full-blown pity party? Or are you going to gather up your lemons and search the Internet, Facebook friends and other resource available to find a terrific recipe for this basket of lemons?

Sure, a short little pity party might be needed, but it's likely not the best long-term approach to being happy and focusing on a speedy recovery.

Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and look for ways to stay involved in the running community:

Volunteer. Have you ever noticed the countless volunteers at road races? Consider contacting a local race director to see if you can lend a helping hand at an upcoming race. You just might be amazed at the inspiration you find from being on the “other side” of running. As you encourage the runners along, find a way to savor their excitement and use it as motivation as you continually work toward returning to your own world of running.

Take up cheerleading (pom pons optional). Look around and you'll quickly find a young person just getting into running, an older person who recently discovered our fun sport or maybe a co-worker trying to start a running or weight loss program. Or maybe this is an opportunity to switch focus to your partner's interest in running. If both of you are struggling to find time to squeeze in some quality training, maybe this is an opportunity to focus on their training, travel to some special runs/races for them and offer some increased focus on their goals. Consider offering encouragement or motivation to others to help guide them along their journey.

Attitude is everything. No one likes being injured. It stinks, it isn't fair, it's lonely and no one seems to fully understand what you're going through.

However, research has shown that a positive attitude can have a tremendous impact on recovery from injury and ailments. Find something that makes you happy and allows you to feel good about what you're doing.

Gather up those lemons, seek out your favorite recipe for lemonade (or maybe lemon bars or lemon cheese cake are more to your liking). Regardless, be sure to make a big batch so you have plenty to share with those around you. You'll be amazed at how good you can feel just by helping put a smile on someone else's face.

Life is short, have fun while you're at it.