A letter to my injured hamstring

Dear Hamstring,

First off, let me start by saying I’m not mad.

I’m a little frustrated… and confused, but I’m not mad.

For the past 3 years, you have continued to impress me. From the first 10k I ran back in October 2006, to my first marathon in 2007, to my first ultra in a tropical-storm-state-of-emergency-declaring-flood run, to my most recent 50-miler where you helped me shave over 2 hours off my previous PR. Truly, you have been amazing.

This past June, you failed me for the first time I failed you for the first time. After all the great things you’ve helped me achieve, I neglected you.

For months, you’ve been trying to get me to listen. You’ve provided all the warning signs, and I ignored every single one.

For 3 years you have put up with my selfishness. I’ve run race after race after race without proper training. Not once have I warmed you up properly. I’ve never cooled you off when you were overheating. And all those years you were trying to impress the ladies, not once did I take you to the gym to hit the weights. I’ve treated you poorly, and for that, I’m sorry.

Let me also tell you, Thank You. Thank you for bringing to light a few important things I didn’t realize until now.

  • I love running even more than I thought
  • Stretching, flexibility & strength training are important
  • You and I must get along. Just like any good relationship, it takes time & commitment.

I’m sure this isn’t fun for you either. Let’s agree on one thing. I don’t want to be sitting on my ass all day, and you don’t want me sitting on you.

I’m sorry I’ve been so selfish these past few years, but I’d like to put those times behind us. I propose a compromise.

I will (finally) give you ample time to recover. However long you need, you just let me know. And when you’re ready, I promise to take you to the gym. I’ll get you in the best shape of your life.

What I’d like from you… is exactly the same as what you’ve been giving me all along. Gutty performances. And a light tap on the shoulder when you need a rest.

As long as we stick together, we’ll make it through this.

So… I think we got off on the wrong foot.

Hamstring: “Hi Dave. Please allow me to introduce myself (again). The name’s Hamstring.”

Dave: “Hi Hamstring. It is nice to (finally) meet you.”

5 thoughts on “A letter to my injured hamstring”

  1. @Stacey – It’s just gotta come from the heart. And seriously, it sounds strange, but writing this out really did help me cope with the injury.

    Apologize. Accept. Compromise. And move on.

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