Blogs : Mike Mockovak

About me, again.

Hey everyone! My name is Mike, and this is not the first time I made a trackshark blog. I had one a few years ago, and lost track of the blog, myself, and my life. My training was going downhill, as were many things in my life. Last year, I fractured a vertebra in my spine (probably from lifting), and I was given 2 options. #1. do nothing, just let it be, but I will not be able to run again. #2. Have a spinal fusion performed, and possibly be able to run at full strength within a year. Well, since never running again to me is not an option, I went with #2.

For the 3 months prior to my surgery, I went through intense physical therapy to strengthen my back muscles because recovery from a spinal fusion is extremely hard. For those who do not know what a spinal fusion is, it is when they graft artificial bone to  the fractured vertebra, and fuse it with another one, thereby making the fractured one basically nonexistant to the body. You lose some flexibility, but the pain is supposed to subside.

So after the surgery, I couldnt walk for 6 days, then after 2 weeks i began my 6 months of rehab, working day in and day out to come back. It wasnt until at least march til I finally felt like I made the right decision to have this surgery.

Here I am now, 2 years removed from my last blog here on trackshark, once again filled with hopes and dreams of a successful track future. I hope to have 2 more years of eligibilty due to a medical redshirt, I have not had a season without major injury since junior year h.s. This is why I continue to fight, continue to push through failure, because I truly dont know my potential. I cant give up without knowing what could have been, what I could have done.............and what I am capable of.

Heres to hope.

...Heres to chasing a dream.

best of fortune to you.

11:54 AM, July 23, 2008 .. Posted by Jason

Mike, I've had my fair share of injuries; first two years of HS I had shin splints. I sprained my ankle 2 weeks before Jr. year (after a summer of good training). I had IT band problems and most recently, a stress fracture, which I am just getting back from to running this week.

I'm with you in not giving up with means of finding the true potential. If I could offer any advice it's the same advice I'm giving myself each day after this stress fracture; Take care of yourself in a manner that prevents further injuries, and savor every moment of training you complete because you don't know when it could be taken away from you.

I hope you get to where you want to be.

"For gold is tried in the fire and honest men in the furnace of adversity." (Sirach 2:5).

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5:52 PM, July 23, 2008 .. Posted by gonnaflynow4

Thanks alot. Good advice, you really never know when it can be taken away again. You could be at your peak, ready to breakout, then boom it can just as easily be taken away. Thanks for the comments.

Edited by gonnaflynow4 on July 23, 2008 at 5:52 PM

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5:59 PM, July 26, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

What are your p.r.'s, and what are some of your goals for this upcoming season?

Good luck kid!