Brain injury can change abilities that once felt automatic.
In this conversation, Dr. Eric shares his personal experience of going from running half marathons and marathons at about a six-minute-mile pace to struggling to run faster than a 12-and-a-half-minute mile after his brain injury.
His story is a powerful reminder that recovery is not always about trying harder. Sometimes, the brain and body are adapting to protect you.
🏃 From Marathon Runner to Learning to Walk
Before his brain injury, Dr. Eric says he regularly ran half marathons and marathons and could complete them at a six-minute-mile pace.
After his injury, things were very different.
He explains that it took him a long time to learn how to walk again. Even now, he continues to have difficulty walking downhill.
Eventually, he decided to try running again on his flat private street.
He thought an eight-minute mile would be achievable.
But when he tried, his watch showed that his fastest pace was around a 12-and-a-half-minute mile.
That difference was significant.
🧠 When Your Body Says Slow Down
Dr. Eric describes realizing that he could not simply force himself to run faster.
Even when he tried to speed up enough to reach the next driveway, his body would not allow it.
He describes this as his brain protecting him.
His doctor had also tested his vision and processing speed, and his processing speed was slower compared with other people his age.
Although his baseline before the injury was not known, Dr. Eric says he could recognize the difference through his own experience.
⚖️ Balance Changes Everything
Dr. Eric also explains that jumping became difficult.
Before his injury, jumping would have been a normal movement.
Now, he says he can only jump about an inch or two.
He believes his brain is limiting the movement because it recognizes that he may not be able to regain his balance safely after landing.
In other words, the limitation may be serving a protective purpose.
💔 Losing an Ability You Once Had
For someone who was once able to run marathons, being unable to run at the same speed can be emotionally difficult.
It can be easy to compare your current abilities with the person you were before your injury.
You may think:
“I used to be able to do this.”
“Why can’t I do it now?”
“Why won’t my body let me?”
These questions can be painful.
But recovery is not always about getting back to exactly where you were.
Sometimes, it is about understanding where you are now and finding safe ways to move forward.
🌱 Progress Can Look Different
Dr. Eric’s story shows that progress does not always mean running faster, jumping higher, or returning to a previous physical ability.
Progress can mean learning to walk again.
It can mean recognizing your balance limitations.
It can mean understanding your processing speed.
It can mean learning which movements feel safe.
And sometimes, progress means accepting that your body has changed while continuing to find ways to participate in life.
💗 Love Love Brain Note
A brain injury can change your relationship with your body.
The things you once did without thinking may suddenly require concentration, patience, therapy, or adaptation.
That can be incredibly frustrating.
But your current limitations do not erase everything you accomplished before your injury.
You are still the person who ran the marathon.
You are also the person who learned how to walk again.
Both stories are part of you.
Recovery is not always about becoming exactly who you were.
Sometimes, it is about discovering what is possible now, one step at a time. 💗
🎥 Watch the Video
Watch Dr. Eric share his personal brain injury recovery experience with Adeline:
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Note: Every brain injury is different. This content is for education and support, not medical advice.
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