Letter to Athletes Dealing with Unexpected Changes

Dear Athlete,

As a former collegiate athlete whose story did not unfold according to her plan I can only imagine what you must be feeling right now. I am now one of the Managers here at Swags Sport Shoes and I am surrounded by athletes working to achieve their goals, just like you were. My cross country career ended after my fourth stress fracture in three years. It ended unexpectedly and before this injury I had always told myself, “do what you can and get ready for next season” But this time it was over, there was no next season. This was my final season and it was over before it had begun. This hit me like a ton of bricks. My season ended because my body had failed me, not because of a virus that I could not control. I am not trying to compare my story to yours but instead emphasize how I cannot imagine the emotions you are going through. I do know what it is like to have a sport stripped away from me though. My doctor was heartbroken for me but he told me some truths in those moments that I needed to hear. These truths are some of the things I hope you take away from this blog. Some of these things it has taken until now, two years later for me to realize.

1. God is in control

My faith has always been a part of my life but I am the first to admit it has not always been at the center. I have always believed God was in control but when things like your sport being taken from you happen it makes you question why. When you are in the middle of a struggle it is often hard to remember who is in control. God’s hope is when you are faced with trials you will run to the Father for all that you need. He will be your strength and promises to get you through to the other side.

2. Your sport does not define you

We spend years being an athlete training to get to the next level in hopes of achieving a scholarship. Whether or not you play basketball, run cross country, play field hockey etc. many times the goal is the same. When people ask questions like describe yourself, one of the first things spoken is I’m a (fill in the blank) Athlete and you name your sport. Why is this? It is because you have associated yourself with the sport for so long and you have a passion for it. That is okay and normal but what happens when it is taken from you? My doctor told me, while sitting on the exam table in the doctor's office, “Allie your sport does not define you and I am so thankful you know that.” That shook me, deep down I knew that was true but at that moment I was not prepared to no longer be a XC athlete. I was prepared for my final race to be in late October at Regionals not the season before at the conference meet where I showed up to the race on crutches, competed, then got back on my crutches with only dynamic stretches for a cool-down. That is how my career ended. Your sport does not define you but it is a part of you and it helped you get to where you are today.

3. Take time to grieve what you have lost

You just lost an integral part of your life, mourn the loss of it. I want you to know that it is okay to cry, be angry, and grieve for what you have lost. You have worked so hard for your athletic career and for it to be taken from you is not fair. It is okay and healthy to show these emotions. This is spoken from someone who stuffs everything inside and keeps busy to not face things. The older I get the more I understand how important this part of life is. Cry, yell, workout, talk to someone, but please do not hold it in. You will deal with this loss at some point if not today. Things will build until you cannot take it anymore. So give yourself permission to feel now.

4. Surround yourself with people who can help you get through this time

Remember, you are not alone. You are surrounded by people who love you and if you feel like you have no one to turn to Jesus is always there for you. You have coaches, administrators, professors, teammates, family, friends and more ready to support you. Reach out and lean into their love. You cannot get through this alone. 

5. When you can, look around at what you gained from the experience

You are not ready for this now but at some point look back on this time and see what you learned from this trial. I learned a lot from my injury and experienced things I would not have been able to experience if it were not for having to sit out of my final season. At the time I was upset and wondering why, but now I am thankful for what I went through. I had four years at my school and it was a journey just like yours was. Look back at the memories you shared with your teammates, remember the good times. 

6. Live in the present

If nothing else I hope this situation teaches you how important it is to live in the present. Appreciate what you have while you have it because no one is promised tomorrow.

I cannot imagine what you must be going through. I just want you to know my heart is breaking for you, you are loved, and prayed for. Please know this store cares about you and you are welcome anytime. Swags is all about the community and when someone is hurting we all are hurting. We are a store made up of individuals who have gone through their fair share of trials in sport. Life is a marathon not a sprint, embrace the climb. 

~Allie Vincent