33 and a part time wheelchair user due to a connective tissue disorder. It's a process. Thank you for sharing this, I really needed it (especially re: OCD spiral). Sending good thoughts!
Oh dear, Ameila, I am so very sorry you are traveling this road. My entire body is a tendon/ligament issue as I have a genetic disorder that doesn't allow my body to make healthy collagen. PRP is something I have done over and over and it's not an easy process. I am in a similar place as you because I somehow sustained a nerve injury (seriously popped up after a fun day of cold plunging/mobile sauna at Horsetooth in March) and I have spent the better part of 2025 chasing a solution. So many doctors, treatments, $$$ and still no solution. It's frustrating my friend. No answers from me as I am navigating this dark place, too...just holding space for you and will always go have a coffee with you instead of a walk or a hike! Big love to you xoxo
I feel like everything you write is so on time for me. I hate that you are having to go through this, but in a whole different way (but yes I can relate to eating disorder treatment and OCD) I understand what you’re saying. Thank you for sharing your note you found too bc that is where I am. I am hoping for a quick turnaround and your rest time will lead to lots of miles ❤️
I’m always so in awe of the way you bare your soul in your posts. I find them so moving and also so relatable in many different ways. Here’s to the ‘now’ of 2026 and thank you for your honesty.
I’ve been following you on instagram for a long time and your ability to share your innermost thoughts and struggles in a beautifully articulated way is such a beacon of hope and inspiration to someone like me - a fellow athlete and ED survivor with a tendency toward perfectionism and self-flagellation. I look forward to every piece of writing you share and I’m sending you so much love in this chapter in life that carries so much beauty and restoration, the more you lean into it.
On a separate note, because I’m so so so (unfortunately) well-versed in injuries, have you checked out @davidgreyrehab and @jaketuura? The former often recommends the latter for being the end-all-be-all of tendon rehab. It might also be worthwhile checking out the guy I’ve been seeing for 3 years - his name is Cory Hecht and he specializes in chronic issues (and people with a history of multiple injuries). For perspective, he’s helped me with my right hip labral tear, hip dysplasia, meniscus tears, disc bulges, and chronic tightness by not focusing on any of those things, but instead focusing on crazy things like breathing mechanics, how my body is held in space via ribcage expansion, and a whole slew of things I could never articulate - I move like a completely different person these days. You won’t find anything worthwhile about him online or through social, he’s more a word-of-mouth genius.
Thanks for sharing this an giving me that "you are not alone" feeling. Giving it back to you now. I’ve been struggling with an inflamed patella tendon (including a bone marrow oedema as a bonus) for over half a year now. Tried shockwave, PRP is up next. I am also starting to distrust my doctors' advice. They say "keep the tendon busy" but whatever I do, it makes it feel worse a couple of hours later or the next day. Definitely the toughest injury I ever had and I am struggling daily to keep my head above water mentally and emotionally. Not sure how long this will take but I know already it has changed me as a runner and person.
I’ve been following you for years. So it is with great affection that I write:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and Lee, not until your own understanding, in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.
Thanks for writing about your experiences and sharing.
You are very courageous to to share.
It sounds wonderful to be Forest bathing and drinking coffee with friends. It sounds like you are on the right track . You are very creative and a wonderful writer and maybe there are other creative outlets that you want to investigate too.
I'm 54 and I only started running when I was 46 . You have time to recover and get back to it. it's great that you are showing more compassion to yourself.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I have no idea whether this would be helpful, but my brother is a peripheral nerve surgeon in San Francisco. I injured my knee 14 years ago during an Ironman and couldn’t run without pain afterward. I spent eight months resting and undergoing tests (my close friend is an orthopedic surgeon), but no one could pinpoint the cause. After consulting with my brother, and confirming it with a nerve block, I had a 45-minute surgery to remove a peripheral nerve. Four weeks later, I was running completely pain-free.
My orthopedic surgeon friend later told me he never would have guessed that approach would work. I went on to race Ironmans and other triathlons until the pandemic and have since focused on running. I don’t know the specifics of your injury, so this may be totally off base, but if you want to explore it, here’s more information: https://peledsurgery.com/nerve-surgery/
EDs have been part of my life as well (I am a parent who had to send my daughter to residential programs. That was tougher than an injury I have had). I am sending you healing vibes and wishing you the best.
I can totally relate to this as I am dealing with something similar myself right now.
And I have a history with these "health riddles" from earlier injuries etc.
This is where the actual mental strength is needed and formed. "hardened" because it's hard.
I go through many layers of emotions over the last months, everything mixes up, some things get more important, others less ... all while I know and feel that time passes.
Every moment spent worrying or being angry is wasted in a way. I know I should, no I am allowed to decide for the positive side. But we tend to look at the things NOT being as our egos want them to be. And take everything else for granted.
Yes, you are not alone with these experiences. I am not alone with these experiences.
We all are human, and share this human experience of change, the illusion of and wishing for control. While all we can do is trust, breathe, listen.
Oh nooo! Very sorry to hear about the OCD flare. I remember your social media posts when you were initially sharing about your health, learning to sit with feelings, doing daily gratitude, etc. I was going through something similar at the same time, and you being open about it was very impactful. The fact that you remain open instead of just slipping off the radar.. I think it's pretty uncommon, and I give you all the credit for continuing to share this convoluted journey of yours. Your writing is beautiful and always resonates. And also, I get the frustration of a body that doesn't say "no" in the moment, but makes you pay for it later. One of the absolutely most frustrating, confusing, and dispiriting things I've dealt with in life. Absolutely love your redwoods photo 😍 Living in the now with you this year.
This is all incredible, every word. The part that I will carry with me: "So there’s the beauty about the present: it’s the one place where I can find peace and it’s the one place where I can make decisions about what I can do right now to get me to where I want to be."
Thank you so much for your thoughts. They really help me to bring things into prospective as well. You are an amazing person and an amazing athlete. Be proud of what you are and what you have accomplished. There will be many new accomplishments in the future.
33 and a part time wheelchair user due to a connective tissue disorder. It's a process. Thank you for sharing this, I really needed it (especially re: OCD spiral). Sending good thoughts!
Thank you, and right back at you!!
Oh dear, Ameila, I am so very sorry you are traveling this road. My entire body is a tendon/ligament issue as I have a genetic disorder that doesn't allow my body to make healthy collagen. PRP is something I have done over and over and it's not an easy process. I am in a similar place as you because I somehow sustained a nerve injury (seriously popped up after a fun day of cold plunging/mobile sauna at Horsetooth in March) and I have spent the better part of 2025 chasing a solution. So many doctors, treatments, $$$ and still no solution. It's frustrating my friend. No answers from me as I am navigating this dark place, too...just holding space for you and will always go have a coffee with you instead of a walk or a hike! Big love to you xoxo
Solidarity always helps! To better days…at some point?! And making the most of what is now :)
my word for 2026 is Abide and a wrote a journal entry about it that I am reading each day....in some ways it does help. xoxo
I feel like everything you write is so on time for me. I hate that you are having to go through this, but in a whole different way (but yes I can relate to eating disorder treatment and OCD) I understand what you’re saying. Thank you for sharing your note you found too bc that is where I am. I am hoping for a quick turnaround and your rest time will lead to lots of miles ❤️
Thank you for reading! Solidarity helps :)
I’m always so in awe of the way you bare your soul in your posts. I find them so moving and also so relatable in many different ways. Here’s to the ‘now’ of 2026 and thank you for your honesty.
Thank you so much, cheers to 2026!
I’ve been following you on instagram for a long time and your ability to share your innermost thoughts and struggles in a beautifully articulated way is such a beacon of hope and inspiration to someone like me - a fellow athlete and ED survivor with a tendency toward perfectionism and self-flagellation. I look forward to every piece of writing you share and I’m sending you so much love in this chapter in life that carries so much beauty and restoration, the more you lean into it.
On a separate note, because I’m so so so (unfortunately) well-versed in injuries, have you checked out @davidgreyrehab and @jaketuura? The former often recommends the latter for being the end-all-be-all of tendon rehab. It might also be worthwhile checking out the guy I’ve been seeing for 3 years - his name is Cory Hecht and he specializes in chronic issues (and people with a history of multiple injuries). For perspective, he’s helped me with my right hip labral tear, hip dysplasia, meniscus tears, disc bulges, and chronic tightness by not focusing on any of those things, but instead focusing on crazy things like breathing mechanics, how my body is held in space via ribcage expansion, and a whole slew of things I could never articulate - I move like a completely different person these days. You won’t find anything worthwhile about him online or through social, he’s more a word-of-mouth genius.
Thank you so much Jacqueline - both for the kind words and for the recommendations! I’ll have to check them out.
I’m so sorry that your knee tendon is still not getting better. Sending a bunch of hope and maybe more patience your way! ✨
Thank you! I’m oddly at peace with it…for now :)
Thanks for sharing this an giving me that "you are not alone" feeling. Giving it back to you now. I’ve been struggling with an inflamed patella tendon (including a bone marrow oedema as a bonus) for over half a year now. Tried shockwave, PRP is up next. I am also starting to distrust my doctors' advice. They say "keep the tendon busy" but whatever I do, it makes it feel worse a couple of hours later or the next day. Definitely the toughest injury I ever had and I am struggling daily to keep my head above water mentally and emotionally. Not sure how long this will take but I know already it has changed me as a runner and person.
Amelia
I’ve been following you for years. So it is with great affection that I write:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and Lee, not until your own understanding, in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.
proverbs 3:5-6.
It sounds plithy. I hate plithy.
But Jesus Christ is not plithy.
May your travails lead you to Him.
Thanks for writing about your experiences and sharing.
You are very courageous to to share.
It sounds wonderful to be Forest bathing and drinking coffee with friends. It sounds like you are on the right track . You are very creative and a wonderful writer and maybe there are other creative outlets that you want to investigate too.
I'm 54 and I only started running when I was 46 . You have time to recover and get back to it. it's great that you are showing more compassion to yourself.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I have no idea whether this would be helpful, but my brother is a peripheral nerve surgeon in San Francisco. I injured my knee 14 years ago during an Ironman and couldn’t run without pain afterward. I spent eight months resting and undergoing tests (my close friend is an orthopedic surgeon), but no one could pinpoint the cause. After consulting with my brother, and confirming it with a nerve block, I had a 45-minute surgery to remove a peripheral nerve. Four weeks later, I was running completely pain-free.
My orthopedic surgeon friend later told me he never would have guessed that approach would work. I went on to race Ironmans and other triathlons until the pandemic and have since focused on running. I don’t know the specifics of your injury, so this may be totally off base, but if you want to explore it, here’s more information: https://peledsurgery.com/nerve-surgery/
EDs have been part of my life as well (I am a parent who had to send my daughter to residential programs. That was tougher than an injury I have had). I am sending you healing vibes and wishing you the best.
I can totally relate to this as I am dealing with something similar myself right now.
And I have a history with these "health riddles" from earlier injuries etc.
This is where the actual mental strength is needed and formed. "hardened" because it's hard.
I go through many layers of emotions over the last months, everything mixes up, some things get more important, others less ... all while I know and feel that time passes.
Every moment spent worrying or being angry is wasted in a way. I know I should, no I am allowed to decide for the positive side. But we tend to look at the things NOT being as our egos want them to be. And take everything else for granted.
Yes, you are not alone with these experiences. I am not alone with these experiences.
We all are human, and share this human experience of change, the illusion of and wishing for control. While all we can do is trust, breathe, listen.
And sure: it sucks! ;-)
Thank you for sharing so honestly as you do. Wishing u well and offering the idea to remember grace for yourself. 🙏💓
Oh nooo! Very sorry to hear about the OCD flare. I remember your social media posts when you were initially sharing about your health, learning to sit with feelings, doing daily gratitude, etc. I was going through something similar at the same time, and you being open about it was very impactful. The fact that you remain open instead of just slipping off the radar.. I think it's pretty uncommon, and I give you all the credit for continuing to share this convoluted journey of yours. Your writing is beautiful and always resonates. And also, I get the frustration of a body that doesn't say "no" in the moment, but makes you pay for it later. One of the absolutely most frustrating, confusing, and dispiriting things I've dealt with in life. Absolutely love your redwoods photo 😍 Living in the now with you this year.
Yep, I've had my share of tendon issues and know what you mean. You're doing great-keep it up!
This is all incredible, every word. The part that I will carry with me: "So there’s the beauty about the present: it’s the one place where I can find peace and it’s the one place where I can make decisions about what I can do right now to get me to where I want to be."
Thank you so much for your thoughts. They really help me to bring things into prospective as well. You are an amazing person and an amazing athlete. Be proud of what you are and what you have accomplished. There will be many new accomplishments in the future.