Training Buddy Down

In racing and training you learn there are things you can't control- bad weather, flat tire, or broken goggles.  While you can fight through a head wind, carry gear to fix a flat, and power through a swim with no goggles, one thing difficult to overcome is when your training partner ends up with an injury.  

I was reminded of the hardships of having a down training partner as one of our friends and teammate was recently injured in a cycling event.  The couple trains together and offer support to each other.  The wife said to me as we were swimming (well, on a short break) that she felt bad because she was still training and her husband could not.   Then she also noted that she didn't want to complain about feeling bad because she didn't want to make it worse.
It may seem strange to say that another person's injury has a HUGE effect on one's training, when the person still training is not the injured one.  But the reality is when your training partner gets injured the vicarious trauma to the uninjured partner can be a hurdle hard to overcome. 
This has occurred on a few occasions for Patrick and I; when he had severe back pain, when I broke my foot, when he broke his ribs, and just on some rough days.  So we have been there and have had to climb out of frustration as the victim and the survivor.  

For me one reason this hurdle seems so high is the factor that you are NOT injured, no doctor is telling you to stop, but your motivation is dampered, your mind is wondering if there is a chance of you getting injured, and your plans to high five at the end of a long run now becomes a "self hug".  In addition there is the problem that you feel guilty sharing your ongoing training with your injured training buddy, they can't get out there and you don't want to rub it in that you got to go for a run (even though they still encourage you to go out there and still want to talk about it). 
What can be done to help with "training survivor's guilt" and "lone trainee motivation?"  There are some things we have done:  
Figure out if your training buddy can do something else to still train and join them for some alternative training.  When I got a stress fracture a few years ago I started aqua jogging (yep, I love it and I promote it) since I could not put pressure of my foot. During this time Patrick spent more time in the pool swimming.  Even though we weren't doing the same activity at least we would be together at the same place and could see each other's progress.  Being there with my training partner made me feel complete and not so broken.
If you can't change your training find something you can do for the same amount of time.  During the same foot injury Patrick was running to train for a half marathon and a 15K.  I of course could not go running, so I started riding my bike on the trainer (once I was a little into my healing).  This allowed me to work out for the same amount of time, feel accomplished, and not feel like an anchor still in bed.  It also was something I could do the same time of day as him and it didn't change his need to go run.  
Another one of the adjustments we have made when one of us has been hurt has been changing running to walking.  Sure it isn't a run but it is forward motion.  Walking is a great way to keep moving as a triathlete who sustains injury to the upper body.  There is no bouncing but it is movement-- forward motion. 
These methods help the injured athletes to stay in the game, which can be helpful as the uninjured partner to take away some of the guilt a training partner may feel from being able to get out there and go.  Also by having your training buddy out there it helps you to not feel alone in your training, instead while you aren't doing the same things you ARE both moving forward. 

One last thing to remember for the injured and uninjured athlete- stay positive.  your body will heal, your buddy will get back on the road with you, you can bounce back.  Staying positive about an injury helps both training partners.  The uninjured athlete encouraging rest and healing gives the injured athlete permission to take time to care for themselves.  Sometimes we need permission to sit still.  Additionally for the injured athlete positive self talk and finding things to do to keep going helps promote healing.  The focus shifts from "can't" to "CAN".  
Remember help your training buddy along the way, through injury, through healing, and through their return to the road. You would want them to do the same for you!  

 
I am continuing to raise money for the Navy Seal Foundation.  For more information please read the blog posting below.  
Thank you for your on going support of our adventure. 
Supporting the Navy Seal Foundation- Frogman Swim