Copy of My First Race of the Year: Overcoming an Injury and the Meaning of Amateur Sport

It's been almost a year since I had a silly fall that took me away from running. Ever since I realized how serious the injury was, I knew I would need to strengthen myself mentally to face everything - therapy, mindfulness, kindness, friendly shoulders, family - has been a very difficult time, because running is not just a sport for me, during this time I realized that it is part of my identity. I recognize myself as someone who runs, who has a tribe that runs and who follows a routine that is somewhat strange to some, but that organizes me as a person. During the more than six months of recovery, I had to deal with the frustration of not being able to train, run or even walk. But I gathered everything I had already experienced and what I also pass on to my patients regarding moments of confrontation and literally went one day at a time, with ups and downs, but with one purpose: to get back to running.

Yes, today I can say that I'm back running, not in the way I expected (and the beginner's mind keeps teaching me), but with an even deeper meaning that I realized in this process, as I said above: I run because I recognize myself as someone who runs, organizes myself, stabilizes myself, challenges myself, teaches myself. After all the protocol, physical therapy, strengthening, stretching, running/walking, I progressed until today, when I fit in a “long” training session in a race that I love - “Corrida pela Cidadania”. This race, in its 23rd edition, has an air of celebration, of union of those who love running for the sake of something bigger, the “Projeto arrastão”, which I always took my family to participate in. It was a 15km race. It is very typical for runners to get “more tense” when they put on a bib number, but I knew I needed to get back on the track before the end of the year. Symbolically, today's race, although at the end of the year, was the only one I did this year — and for me, that means a lot. This time, it would be even more significant, as it would be one of the last opportunities to have my life partner (Fernando) and my children participating alongside me, making the event even more unique and full of emotions.

Now, with a calmer mind and ready to run, I want to share with you what my experience was like, which, in fact, was divided into two very different parts.

Part One: The Impact of Prejudice and Self-Talk

The day before, I had set my watch according to my coach's instructions, and I was already feeling a bit tense. I arrived for the race and wanted to listen to my body. Still trying to follow the program, I felt uncomfortable with the fact that I was being accompanied by other runners, specifically men, who were running a similar pace to mine, and who were now following me side by side for a period of time. This ended up bringing up some negative memories — and also regarding the rules of the São Paulo Athletics Federation, which state that the race is individual and that I would be disqualified if they "thought" that I was being helped (which in fact did not happen in 2023, as some of you may have seen). The fact is that the situation directly interfered with my experience. It seems like a simple thought, but for those who run, you know that the environment of a race involves much more than just pace.

The prejudice here wasn’t just in my head, but also in the behavior of some associations and media outlets in our country, which often try to make women feel less capable. The big issue is that last year’s event made me feel extremely uncomfortable. I found myself avoiding male runners so as not to be associated with them, and negative self-talk took hold — a destructive internal dialogue that made me doubt my ability to move forward. If you’re not familiar with this concept of self-talk yet, we’ll soon be releasing a video about it on our YouTube channel, based on scientific research. It’s a concept that I value greatly, because understanding how our thoughts influence our actions is fundamental, especially in sports. But, getting back to the race, this internal tension stayed with me for half the race, making me fight against these thoughts instead of focusing on what really mattered: the race itself.

Part Two: Mindset Change and Mutual Aid

In the second half of the race, when I realized that I wouldn't be on the podium, I allowed myself to run alongside whoever I wanted. Instead of letting myself be consumed by negative thoughts, I began to be able to focus on what really mattered: my race, how the wind touched me, the sound of my steps, the rhythm, my breathing, the pleasure of running again and the positive energy that the solidarity race brought. And it was at that moment that something incredible happened:

A runner, who was next to me and seemed to be on the same pace, approached me and said:

"I was broken, but you helped me get back into the race."

For me, this was one of the most meaningful things I could have heard. The fact that, without even realizing it, I had positively influenced someone’s journey in amateur sport gave me an indescribable feeling. This is what I believe in sport, in mutual inspiration. After all, I am not a professional athlete — I never have been and I don’t want to be. My running has always had a more personal and amateur character. And that is precisely what makes amateur sport so special: it is about the personal journey, about mutual support and overcoming, more than about victories.

This moment was much more than a simple phrase. It made me reflect on what amateur sport really means and, more importantly, on the respect that everyone deserves within this sphere.

Denouncing Prejudice in Amateur Sports

And here comes an important reflection. For those in the federation , or anyone who disrespects the principles of amateur sport, it is essential to understand that amateurism is not about elitism or exclusion . Amateurism is about the freedom to practice and grow, even if not doing so in a professional capacity. What is at stake is not victory over others, but victory over ourselves — over our limitations and the prejudices that, unfortunately, still exist.

If you do not understand the spirit of amateurism and yet try to reduce the sport to something purely competitive and professional, you are disrespecting the foundations that support the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) and, consequently, you are disrespecting the sport in its essence. It is not about winning or losing, but about participating and evolving with each step taken. And for all those who, like me, are on the amateur journey, our competition is within ourselves, not with others.

Conclusion: The Strength of Amateur Sports and Respect for the Practice

Finally, what I can conclude from this experience, which was much more than a simple race, is that amateur sports are a reflection of life . It teaches us that, no matter how challenging it may be, the journey of overcoming and the exchange of energy are more important than any trophy. And, in this sense, we can all be champions, whether alongside a friend, a stranger or on our own journey. The important thing is consistency, support and mutual respect along our path. After all, what moves us is not the finish line, but the steps taken towards it and how much we are able to support each other to get there. And, as always, the most important thing is our own time , the time we dedicate to taking care of our physical and mental health, which is what really makes the difference.

I leave a message here: you can disqualify me, because for me, amateur sport is not about a trophy, but about the journey, how much I have evolved, interacted and shared. May we have more races in 2025 and, who knows, in the future, my daughter and all daughters (women) will not have to worry the way I and so many other runners worry.