The Key Principles of a FAST Marathon Taper

As athletes, our identity is often tied to the sports we love. From a young age, we’re taught to push our limits, train hard, and always aim for success. But what happens when that sport is taken away from you? Whether it’s due to injury, illness, or another reason, losing the ability to participate in something that defines you can be incredibly challenging.

I know this struggle all too well. I was a dedicated runner, having completed thirteen marathons, including three Boston marathons, and countless half marathons. I also dabbled in triathlons and dreamed of one day completing an Ironman. But all that changed, and for the past two years, my gear—running shoes, bikes, race shirts—has sat unused. It has been a long journey to come to terms with this change, and I hope my experience can help others facing the same loss.

If you’ve lost the ability to compete in your sport, you understand how deeply it affects you. For many athletes, the transition out of sport is more difficult than people realize. When your sport becomes your identity and your social circle revolves around it, losing that connection can leave you feeling like you’ve lost a part of yourself. I found it incredibly hard to adjust, feeling disoriented when I could no longer run or train.

Here are a few tips I wish I’d known earlier to help navigate this transition:

1. It’s okay to ask for help.

When I lost my sport, I also lost my usual coping mechanisms. Suddenly, I had no outlet for my emotions. I learned that it’s not a weakness to ask for help—it’s a necessary step for healing. Working with professionals helped me process my feelings, and I discovered new ways to manage my emotions. Learning to acknowledge and address the loss was harder than ignoring it, but ultimately, it made me stronger.

2. Find a new outlet.

While yoga never seemed like “real” exercise to me, I eventually gave it a chance—and it became a valuable part of my routine. Although yoga hasn’t replaced running or triathlons, it has given me something to look forward to while keeping my body moving. I also began strength training with a trainer, which was something I’d never considered before. You don’t have to take up yoga or lifting, but finding a new activity that keeps you active is crucial to maintaining both your physical and mental health.

3. Explore your creativity.

When you’ve been training for hours every week, losing that time can leave a big gap in your day. I decided to try new things—like learning Italian (even if my grammar was less than perfect) and experimenting with new recipes. I even wrote a book! Finding new creative outlets helped me rediscover my passion for learning and self-expression, giving me a new sense of purpose.

4. Establish a new routine.

Athletes thrive on routine, and when that routine is disrupted, it can be disorienting. I used to wake up at 5 a.m. to run, with a strict schedule dictating my day. When I no longer had that structure, I felt lost. It wasn’t easy, but over time, I established a new routine. Now, I can even enjoy sleeping in until 7:30 a.m. Some changes take time, but eventually, I found a rhythm that works for me without my old sport.

5. Shift your perspective.

At first, I focused entirely on what I had lost, unable to see the good that was still in my life. But with time and support, I learned to focus on what I still had, rather than dwelling on my loss. Gratitude became a powerful tool for me. I began writing down things I was thankful for and kept them in a jar. On difficult days, I would read through them. It might sound simple, but this daily practice helped me gain a more positive outlook.

Losing your sport can feel devastating, especially when it’s tied to your identity. In my case, I was diagnosed with ARVC, a rare genetic heart disease that forced me to stop competing. I am incredibly lucky to be alive—ARVC is one of the leading causes of sudden death in athletes. While my experience was extreme, many others face similar challenges, from injury or other setbacks that prevent them from doing what they love.

I hope that if you are ever forced to give up the sport you love, you won’t hesitate to ask for help or explore new opportunities. You may not replace what you lost, but with time, you can find new paths that bring happiness and fulfillment.

When I first envisioned opening Precision, I knew I wanted to create something different from the typical healthcare experience.

I was growing increasingly dissatisfied with the direction healthcare was heading. I repeatedly heard from my clients about their frustrations – how they felt unheard by their practitioners and lost in the system. This was not the healthcare experience I wanted to offer. I was determined to create a space where patients could expect more than just the standard care, where they could feel valued and understood.

As a physical therapist, I was also deeply troubled by the struggles my colleagues faced. Overworked, underpaid, and often unappreciated, many physical therapists were dealing with challenges that went beyond their clinical work. In an environment where perfectionism and competition ruled, collaboration was often sidelined. I found myself wondering: what would happen if we supported and uplifted one another instead of tearing each other down? How could we provide exceptional care to our clients if we weren’t looking out for each other and working to elevate our profession as a whole? This became the driving force behind my desire to change the way things were.

Creating meaningful change is never easy. At first, it’s always met with resistance. Some days, it feels as though I’m running at full speed, but by the end of the day, it seems like I’ve only made small steps forward. I have to remind myself that these small steps are progress, even if they aren’t immediately recognized by others. And that’s okay.

Like most entrepreneurs, I’ve faced my share of setbacks. There have been moments of failure that have been incredibly tough. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but each one has taught me valuable lessons. It’s easy to throw in the towel and give up, to tell yourself that your vision was just a dream that wasn’t meant to be. The barriers and obstacles can feel overwhelming at times. But the true challenge lies in continuing to push forward, even when the going gets tough. I’m confident that over the next few months, Precision will continue to evolve and improve.

I want to share my vision for Precision so you can understand why it exists. It’s important to me that you know what we stand for. I can talk about it to myself all day, but if I don’t share it with you, what does it matter? We truly value and appreciate each of our clients, because without them, we wouldn’t be able to continue growing and pushing boundaries. Thank you for your support. I also want to express my gratitude to the team members I’ve worked with, past and present, for their dedication to this dream.

If you’re not already part of our Precision family, we would love for you to join us.

At Precision, we believe patients should have the freedom to choose their healthcare experience. We’re not bound by insurance companies; instead, we focus on what our clients truly need and deserve. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are committed to innovating and finding new ways to meet the needs of our community. We recognize that every client’s story matters just as much as the physical injury they’re facing. Education—whether for our clients, the community, or ourselves—is key to improving the care we provide and fostering progress within our profession.

We are also committed to building a supportive community and creating lasting relationships. Collaboration and personal growth are essential, both within our team and with our clients and fellow healthcare practitioners. Taking care of ourselves and practicing compassion, not just for our clients but also for one another, is crucial to ensuring we can show up every day as our best selves.

This is the foundation of the excellence we strive for at Precision. It is why we exist, and it’s at the core of everything we do. Thank you for being a part of our journey.