Returning to swimming after an injury

Earlier in the year, I had a nasty run in with the lane rope while swimming backstroke, catching my finger and shattering the bone. I had just pushed off the wall and came crookedly around some people standing at the end of the pool. I jammed it into the space in the anti wave lane rope. It stuck there and I kept going. Ouch!

After surgery, a bone graft and pins to set it in place, I have slowly returned to fitness over the last few months.

I have been hesitant to swim backstroke, and hence have trained more freestyle with paddles, to protect said finger. Sets like 10x100’s with paddles and pull buoy have become a bit of a staple in my recovery. A happy by-product of all this freestyle paddle work, has been getting a bit stronger in the open water.

Just this week, I raced my first open water swim in well over a year and not only was it great to be back at the start line with swim buddies, the finger held up well over the 1.2km swim.

So to those of you facing setbacks in your own swim lanes or life's challenges, remember: every stroke forward is a victory, and every setback is an opportunity to rise stronger. Dive into resilience, embrace the journey, and let the water witness your triumphant return.

For more on swimming after an injury and returning to World class form, check out Ingrid Trusler’s podcast episode #137 here: