Day 4: Show Off Those Battle Scars!
Former athletes, surgery sufferers, and daredevils of the world rejoice! Today is the day to show off scarred knees, elbows, chins, shins – you name it! If you’ve earned yourself a battle scar, we want to see it and hear the story behind it. In the words of Katy, whose well-loved knees you see below:
Ode to some well-used knees…
At age 13 it all began,
for an active girl who ran and ran.
2 ACLs, a meniscus tear or two,
she didn’t cry or whine boo-hoo.
State HS basketball titles and DII ball,
took a few more surgeries, after all.
6 hard years of rugby next were up,
even to London for the Nations Cup!
Today it’s boats, boards, and bikes,
anything active that she likes!
The battle wounds and scars you see,
just tell the tale, don’t you agree?
Sure, they might be a bit unsightly to some, but if you ask us, plates, cadaver parts, and pins only help to make you a little more bionic so you can keep you doing what you love. Share a picture and/or your story and you could win a Limited Edition Power of 9 Tee and Title Nine Water Bottle. So come one, come all, to the showing of the scars that prove you’ve jumped, fallen, and gotten right back up. Don’t wait, get entered>
*Prize awarded based on availability. A substitute prize of equal or greater value may be awarded.
40 years ago Congress signed landmark legislation, Title IX, attacking the gender divide in sports. Today that divide has been virtually erased. In 1972, only 30,000 girls participated in high school sports. Today it’s over 3,000,000!! Because many of us here at Title Nine, including our founder, were there in the early years, we think there’s a lot to celebrate this year.
I dislocated my shoulder in an unusual surfing accident last year. Not only did I have to swim in through the break, but I also had to peel off a wetsuit over the dislocated shoulder, climb up a cliff to get back to my car, and drive down a windy, bumpy road to get to the nearest hospital.
I’d been taught how to reduce dislocations before, but this shoulder was NOT going back in. It took about four months of rehab and recovery to get back in the game.
Fell on Barr Trail.
I ended up having surgery on my ankle twice…once to reconstruct the ligaments and then again to take out the implants that my body didn’t like. It has taken me a year to recover and get back to running…Ran The Bolder Boulder this May!
On June 2nd I was doing a training ride for our local Tour de Cure charity bicycle ride. A dog ran out into the road and bit my left leg. One urgicenter visit, 5 sutures, one tetanus shot, and 5 days of antibiotics later….I completed the 100km 7 days after the incident.
Crossfit ladies know what it’s like to fail on a box jump- I caught my left shin pretty badly a few years ago. The right one was evened out with some sumo dead lifts! I am mostly a trail runner and wear my scars proudly- I enjoy my active and fearless lifestyle and my body reflects it!
Brutal!
This fractured and sprained ankle was accomplished while racing my opponent to the ball in indoor soccer last December. I accidentally stepped on her foot and rolled my ankle off it. Snap! I went down in a fit of profanities… writhing around the field in agony. Aside from the crazy pain, I immediately felt insane mother’s guilt for putting myself in harm’s way. “I’ve got 2 little kids to take care of… why are you such an idiot, you shouldn’t be doing this at your age!! You need to be careful!”
32 1/2 years of being an athlete and I never had an injury serious enough to sideline me. Some may say that is a blessing, some may say that I wasn’t playing hard enough. I could not carry my 7 month old at all for 2 weeks, and was out of running commission for 8 weeks but despite the guilt I had and the suggestive questions from my family (you’re not going back to soccer, ARE YOU?), I had no doubt that I would return to soccer… its a part of me and it truly makes me a better mother. 6 months later I am almost fully recovered and am finally back to soccer! My [amazing] husband helped talk me off the mother’s guilt ledge… and reminded me that I am entitled to be active, play, and have battle scars to tell my kids about! 🙂
You may not have been able to carry your baby for two weeks… but your kids definitely know their mom is a total badass. 🙂
My first attempt at obstacle racing ended with 2nd degree burns. I raced 5 miles through mud, water and lots of bushwhacking with the burns before I pulled out to seek medical attention. Not one to give in, I’m going back for more and I’m registered for three obstacle races this year. Look out fire- I’m coming back and will not be outdone.
What obstacles caused this burning? Electrical fencing?? I’ve been considering doing a mud run in the next year.
It was a Spartan Race where you have to jump over a line of fire. We were the very first heat, and this was the first obstacle and the fire was pretty darn high. I would guess 3-4 feet. I got my first leg over and this one got dragged through. Don’t be discouraged by my experience. Mud runs and obstacle races really are great fun and the camaraderie at the events should be experienced. I am really stoked to give it another shot and determined to finish. My advice is- register now and have fun!
Congrats, Jen! You’re our Battle Scar Winner! Those burns were no doubt awful to experience, but by pushing through and finishing the race, you are not only a self proclaimed rock star, you won a Title IX Tee and Water Bottle! 🙂 Enjoy!
I started playing volleyball in 7th grade. I played all the way through high school. In college, I became a runner, and have continued running at now nearly 40! My feet have taken a beating, and I recently had to have my second bunion fixed with two screws inserted and wire wrap. The other foot was done 2 years ago…..Now my feet will be fixed and good as new. I can continue my running routine. Salut! to female athletes!
Bloody knees from Survive The Farm 2012 in Schatigcoke, NY… a 5k with lots of mud, sweat and a bbq to celebrate! (I had a great team, there, too…)
Heart Shape Floor Burn earned after a lovely meet and great with the floor while inline speed skating. I still have a small heart shaped scar below my knee. I could not ask for a more appropriate shaped scar as I love my skating sports!
Broken big toe. Broke the toe training for my 3rd degree black belt in Aikido. Although I have yet to achieve that goal I have the 1st and 2nd degree. As we say “the belt does not get any blacker” and I still love to train including cycling and walking.