People say love is complicated. I’ll argue that pain is, too. As athletes, we’re told to push past it, ignore it, or even seek it out. But this year, the pain cave I sought in endurance races became my home. I watched as my life slowly shrank as the activities I enjoyed doing outside became increasingly limited due to hip pain. I halted running. And then hiking, because stepping up or down sent shockwaves of pain through my left leg. It hurt to sit. I’d sleep in strange figure 4 positions. But when simply walking on flat surfaces aggravated my pain, I reached my breaking point mentally.
I needed answers, which is what we’re all seeking when grasping for relief. My MRI confirmed my worst fears, yet illuminated a clear, concrete path towards healing. I’m already looking forward to 2026 and being able to enjoy the parts of my life I’ve missed on a deep, visceral, physical, and emotional level.
Chronic pain makes it hard to feel joyful, creative, and positive. But now I understand how many of us deal with it daily. It’s a good reminder that we’re all navigating silent battles under the surface, so being extra kind to one another goes a long way.