When will I be able to compete again? How will I train? I cannot see my friends or teammates. What will the future of sports look like? These are a few tip of the iceberg questions being asked by athletes all over the world, as well as in the local area. Having to sit out this past Spring season as well as the Fall and Winter is devastating. This is especially true for those athletes that have trained for years to compete in high school and go to college for their skill using scholarships, and we cannot forget the athletes that participate in sports purely for enjoyment, as it feels good.
I have asked those questions myself being a master’s athlete in figure and track and field for 5 years. I have been dealing with sitting around daily, not being active and my training has always been part of balance in my life. It is my sanity, helps me with depression, anxiety, focus, and it brings happiness to my life. Dealing with this as an adult athlete that trains athletes, I totally understand their feelings as well, as knowing I am a little better equipped with dealing with the uncertainty.
Children and teens had a lot to deal with before Covid and this pandemic adds fuel to a train that may jump the tracks at any time. They look for answers to their questions, guidance, and hope that they will have something they love back in their future.
Wearing masks is a new norm for us all and that is a form of personal protective equipment, but athletes have their own form of PPE. We as parents and coaches must find ways to help guide athletes to find their PPE’s, ways to deal with the things they are trying to tackle mentally, emotionally and physically. There are basic things that we all need and as an athlete one is at the top of the list, self-care. Self-care comes in many forms such as nutrition, hydration, sleep, continue to train, recovery, meditate, keeping connected to friends, coaches, and the outside world through technology.
Eating foods that help with fueling workouts with a balance of good fats like avocados, nuts or olive oil is essential. Carbs are one that we can lean on a little too much with sweets, but our best bets are fruits and vegetables and finally protein in the form of lean meats, eggs or vegan combinations of beans and rice. Not all beans or grains are complete proteins, so check to make sure. Hydrate with water and drinks with electrolytes by setting your watch, computer, or phone to go off every hour and drink 4 to 8oz of fluids.
Making sure you get enough sleep happens to be just as important as eating. Your body heals and your brain does some wonderous things while sleeping. Contact your friends or coach to get workouts and you can zoom each other your goals or talk to your parents about safe ways for you to train. Meditation is something I know you hear a lot about, but top athletes use this daily as well as visualization and imagery.
Set goals for your day and use a journal to keep track of your plans and accomplishments. As a parent with a senior athlete going through these same issues, I do a daily check-in and talk to her about how she feels, how she wants to approach her training, what she wants to eat for the day, online school and I even try to do some training with her. Now my training is not that of a high school student. She helps to push me in areas I need work, and where I am strong, I push her.
Really find ways to help and lean on each other during these times. Your athlete would love to know how they have helped Mom or Dad through this trying time. There are always challenges and unexpected times in our lives that helps us to grow as individuals, but this time the world is being tested and learning to grow at the same time. See you at the finish line!!!
