In my forties, I faced one of the most challenging periods of my life. After being diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, my body felt like a shadow of its former self. Movement became difficult, and running—a lifelong passion—felt like a distant dream. Watching my family play football on the beach while I sat on the sidelines broke my heart.
Determined to reclaim my health, I worked hard to recover. However, like many runners eager to return, I made a critical mistake: I jumped back into running without addressing the strength I had lost during my time off. As a result, I developed knee pain that forced me to stop again.
This setback became a turning point. I committed to rebuilding my body from the inside out. Incorporating strength training – a mixture of lifting weights, targeted core & glute strengthening exercises and functional movements – was the game-changer. Focusing on strength training for stability to improve how I moved my body, gave me the foundation I needed to prevent injury and build resilience.
Over time, I not only returned to running but surpassed my previous abilities. In my late forties, I’m running faster and more confidently than ever. Strength training taught me the importance of respecting my body and giving it what it needs to thrive.
For anyone recovering from injury, I encourage you to embrace strength training as part of your routine. It’s not just about returning to where you were—it’s about building a stronger, more capable version of yourself.
