My approach to recovery
Philosophy
My approach to recovery and running have been very similar.
'A Journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step' (Confusious)
The 'single step' approach
Looking at the whole 'project' whether it is recovery or a marathon, etc, the end/destination is so far from where you are at the time that it seems unattainable.
Breaking the 'Journey' down into smaller steps at once makes it more managable. By viewing each step in your 'Journey' as your immediate target it is surprising what you can achieve.
I was not a runner before my accident, and within 3 years of it I ran the 180 miles of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
I am convinced that everyone can achieve more than they think they can, it is just a matter of taking it 'a step at a time'. If you only concentrate on the current step, you will be surprised where your 'Journey' takes you.
I approached the Neolithic Marathon of 2004 in this way, by taking things a step at a time. I was not a runner until the summer of 2003. The 2006 Neolithic Marathon is now 'just' a training run.
My recovery has been similar, in that I viewed each step alone and not the whole task of getting back to normal life after the accident. Each small step had taken me along my 'Journey' of recovery. The notable steps in this 'Journey' are in the extracts of my Recovery Diary.
My Journey started in earnest when I was discharged from Hospital on 14th Feb although this was a significant first step in itself.
Believe you CAN do it
I have travelled this far in my recovery and running because I have always believed in myself.
Running an off road marathon is a big step from recreational fitness running, doing the High Peak Marathon was a big step from the marathon, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a big step from the High Peak Marathon,
but I will have done all of these in the three and a half years since my accident because I have believed that each step has been something I can achieve. There was also a big step to running and cycling the 3 Peaks
which I did in 2007, this was from a basis of being a runner but not a cyclist.
Focus on the positives
Despite the apparent seriousness of my predicament I made a conscious effort to focus on the positive aspects although at first they were not immediately obvious.
I would not have started running had it not been for the accident, it was a way of getting fit again.
Another benefit is that I see more of Janet and my family than I did when I spent all my time climbing and
I now take a break at lunchtime instead of working through.
There is nothing to be gained by dwelling on things that are beyond your control, but grasp the things that you can change and make use of them.
I have done some presentations on my 'Journey of Recovery' for Headway; they had not heard people talking about the 'benefits of head injury' before. It is all about taking a positive view of things and not being overwhelmed by the negatives.
