Ebb tide

Ebb tide moments happen. I’m in one now and it’s tough.

They are the times when everything feels difficult, when you have to recognise that some dreams were out of reach and adjust to that.

This is happening right now because of my frozen shoulder which is a pain in so many ways. But I’ve been here before. Being injured or ill, or overwhelmed with work or life pressures.

And there’s always something that can be done.

Maybe it’s a shorter run. A bike ride or swim instead. A session with light weights. A walk. Do what you can.

If that’s too much, book in a physio session or a GP call. Whatever it takes to work out the path to get better. Do your rehab exercises with the diligence and hope you’d bring to your training.

If your mental health is really low, call a friend and let out some of the frustration. Do something that lifts your mood.

It all makes a difference.

And if there’s no time for anything else, just take time for a few deep breaths as a microdose of self care that reminds you that you matter, that you deserve care and rest, and that you’ll take it when you can.

I firmly believe the lowest ebb weeks are sometimes the most important. Everyone can have good weeks. But what we do in the bad weeks can make a real difference, minimising the down time and help find the path back to the good weeks.