Sitting Out

I joined Ash, Jon, and Danny in the training room to receive ultrasound and heat therapy on two different injuries this afternoon, then jogged in the SwimEx for an hour. Russ said I should cross train until nothing hurts any more and then continue for two additional days, so it looks like I'm out at least for the rest of this week. More than 50% of the distance team is currently injured, and it's only the second week of practice. While sitting in the ice bath after practice today, Fife, Ash and I had a discussion about college athletics and what makes a good athlete. We came to the consensus that in high school, the best competitors are the ones who are willing to work the hardest and do the most training. In college and beyond, however, it simply comes down to whose body is able to take the most abuse without breaking down. Talent doesn't necessarily mean the natural ability to run fast as much as the ability to train more than your opponents without getting injured. Fife said that as an incoming freshman about a year and a half ago, one of his friends told him the hardest part about college sports is staying healthy. It's too true.