Injuries are part of athletic life. We accept that reality and rehab for next season (or the next age group). But masters are especially expert at finding silver linings. A great example is W40 jumper/thrower Pam Swan of Bowdoin, Maine. She writes: “Charlotte was my dream meet, and although things didn’t pan out quite like I visualized, the new acquaintances I made and the life stories they shared with me are treasures I might not have enjoyed otherwise.” Pam won two medals. But most of all, she won the admiration of her less-injured competition.

Here is Pam’s story:
Two weeks prior to the Nationals, I suffered a strain to my hamstring tendon. I knew coming into the meet that I would only be at 75% or less. But I had already paid for the meet and travel and most, if not all, of the cost was nonrefundable.
Like many other athletes I met at the meet, I hoped I had healed enough in that short time period to at least compete, but it was obvious as I warmed up for the discus on Friday that the tendon had not mended as well as I hoped for. At the long jump that Friday afternoon, I tried to take a “jog into a jump” and I felt it tear a bit so I backed off and took some jumps off the right leg.
With the pole vault coming up that evening, the truth started sinking in that I would most likely have to scratch from all of my remaining events. I warmed up with some jogging and light stretching and then tried to jump onto my pole — the pain was bad so I told the official that I would have to scratch.
Phil Raschker came over to me and said that since there were only 3 competitors in the meet, I should just try to get over the starting height (5 or 6 feet) by pulling myself up on the pole. I’m sure I must have looked silly, but I did try, only to injure the tendon further.
I spent most of that evening and the next morning stuck in the “sports med trailer“ as my leg swelled from my butt down to my toes! The trainers there were competent and caring and did what they could to reduce the swelling. In retrospect, I believe (and my orthopedist) the actions they took to arrest the damage to my tendon may likely hasten my recovery.
I had an MRI yesterday and will see the surgeon on Monday to discuss the next course of action. The tendon is ruptured at the insertion point into my hip, but the MRI will tell whether it will require surgery to repair or not.
Taking pictures was therapeutic for me because I was feeling pretty low by Saturday morning. Looking through the lens of my camera gave me purpose and helped me focus (pardon the pun) on something positive.
To come away with 2 medals (silver and bronze) despite the injury taught me a valuable lesson: time spent on perfecting technique is never wasted time. Because of my physical limitations, I had to rely on the mechanics of throwing without much involvement of my lower half, especially in the javelin where I literally stood and threw.
I kept thinking of Tom Petranoff whom I met last summer, repeating over and over: “You don’t throw with your arm; you throw with your core.” Hopefully this is one lesson I won’t have to be so painfully reminded of in the future.
Me again:
I was lucky enough to get this shot of Pam preparing to arm the jav. Next year, nationals will be in her back yard. Be sure to cheer her on.