176 | Coach Carrie Answers a Question on Embracing Change as a Masters Athlete

"How do I adjust my training mindset now that I'm a masters athlete? I have a hard time accepting that my body is no longer 20. I'm 35, about to turn 36." —Kelly   Society often tells us that getting older is something to be feared and refused—think about the concept of anti-aging. For athletes, there's an added layer of performance changes as we move into the masters categories.    The problem, Coach Carrie says in this week's Q&A episode, is that aging isn't an optional activity. By fighting against its reality, we often keep ourselves miserable and stuck. If instead, you accept that your body is shifting and has different needs and vulnerabilities, you can then take active steps to make the most of your current capabilities.    Rather than comparing yourself to others or to a past version of the athlete you were, seek clarity. Then, the focus isn't on how you measure up, but on what you need to make meaning of your athletic experience. That choice—to define what success means to you, and celebrate it—is always yours to make, and gives you the freedom to enjoy new and glorious paths forward.   Resources/links: Aging and Athletic Performance: Injured Athletes Club Webinar Recording Cindy's article in Runner's World: I Compared Myself to the Runner I Used to Be—I'm Learning to Let Go and Move Forward   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    You can subscribe to The Injured Athletes Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts. That helps other injured athletes find the show.   To access more resources for injured athletes: Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook! Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cards Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.