It all started on October 24, 2017, a cold Tuesday morning that felt like the others, my routine as a scholar-athlete. I rolled out of bed and made my way to the boneyard, the outdoor training area for all D3 athletes attending the university. I was a freshman at the U of R getting ready for my first year playing collegiate softball. As we stretched the trainers talked us through the various new workouts we would be doing. We then got split up into groups with veteran players to help guide us. My group started near the ab rollers, where we met up with the head trainer to show us how they should be done. “Okay so you stand holding the wheel down to your toes and engage the core. Wheel up to a downward dog- standing position then all the way flat. Repeat till you complete the set”. I remember getting handed the wheel and feeling nervous about not having the strength to complete it. My captain demonstrated, carefully stretching out her wrists prior to starting, and cautioning me to start slow and steady. Now it was my turn... I was shaky and was able to show off my lame attempt... whew done. “ No no, you gotta wheel all the way, or else you are only cheating yourself” With the trainer standing over my shoulder, I tried again. “Can you help guide me so I don’t fall? I felt super shaky and unstable" I asked. This time he came over and had me get into the starting position. He laughed, nodded, and placed his hand on my back. “Make sure your back is straight and engage your core. Wheel all the way down.”
I ended up going all the way down... on the ground. Wrist first, face second, no hands supporting me. I remember thinking, “God, how embarrassing, of course, the freshman fell because she’s not strong enough.. what a joke.” Everyone around me stopped and looked. As I got to my knees the trainer said and did nothing. Maybe he didn't see? Maybe he thought I was a lost cause? I laughed it off grabbing at my wrist, quickly dusting off any dirt, and walked to the next station. My captain followed behind and asked if I was okay I shrugged and said yea yea I’ll be fine. Up next, front squats. I looked down at my wrist and twinged as it popped and creaked as I turned it, slyly examining it. It didn’t hurt, but it didn’t feel right. I walked up to the bar and placed my wrists underneath to lift.... failure. My hand had given out and was shaking. My captain catches the bar. She takes one look at my wrist and says “oh shit did this just happen when you fell?!” I nodded and shook out my purple wrist like no big deal. ”That really doesn't look good, we gotta tell coach now and go to the trainers”. The words no athlete wants to hear.
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