The journey from my Achillies injury

 Have you ever had an injury that stopped you from doing the sport you loved? Did you have to quit that dream or goal you wanted? I had that kind of injury that happened to me. It was during my senior year of high school for cross country in the fall. It was a meet against North Allegany and Seneca Valley. Some of the best cross country and track schools for athletes in these sports. During the race, I was on pace for a new PR I was running a 5:15 mile at the time. I was on pace to run a 15:50 5k time. Little did I know this would not happen, and something devastating would happen in the next few moments. The next event that happened during the downhill part of the race, I got shoved from behind by an NA runner. My body rolled down the hill, and my Achilles muscle popped. My entire leg got cut open on the rocks, and I had blood all down my leg, where I had to limp on one leg till the finish line. The moment this happened, I was so mad I lost my chance at getting a PR, and little would I know I lost all the speed I had. I lost my scholarship; I had to Westminster for track. I was devastated; however, this opened other doors for me, and I did not let it hold me back. This injury was how I got into personal training and learning about the muscles and the body. I learned a lot about muscles in my legs and how to stretch better and more efficiently. There is always another door that opens when one closes. Personal training was my door that opened and where I could meet great trainers and understand how to start lifting more and the form you need to do. This is also how I started pickleball to stay active. Since I could not run as fast anymore, I went to pickleball, where it helps with my core and movement. A lot of leg movement as well to keep me active, where I just sit around and do nothing. So overall, the journey has been great, but I got to help myself find the major I wanted and what I want to do with the rest of my life.