Last September I went through that not-so-fun “plot twist”: I was diagnosed with a lumbar herniated disc… and when I say I was stuck, I mean really stuck 😅 terrible pain radiating down my right leg, I could barely stand or walk for long, let alone keep up with my normal routine.
It was two months without working, running from one specialist to another (neurologist, orthopedist, family doctor…) and surviving on injections and very strong medication. Zero glamour — just pure struggle.
At that time, I had to stop doing one of the things I love most: swimming. And that hurt — literally and emotionally 😅. I remember one practice where I had such a bad episode that I left the pool in tears, in so much pain… but I was lucky to have my coach, Bibiana, there with me. She didn’t let me give up and encouraged me to look for other paths.
Comecei a fisioterapia, cheia de medo, porque no fundo eu só pensava: “e se eu não sair disto?”… era difícil, cansativo e às vezes desanimador.
In October, I still had a swim crossing in Sesimbra, and I almost gave up. I was still in a lot of pain, and just thinking about the 500-meter walk on the sand to the start line made me want to laugh (or cry 😂). But I went. Slowly, struggling a bit, but I went. The race actually went fairly smoothly, all things considered… even with the pain and not being able to kick properly.
After that, I kept going with physiotherapy and ended up stepping away completely from pool training.
It was only at the beginning of February that I started to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. I decided to leave physiotherapy and venture into the gym… and wow, it’s been challenging 😅 I’m overweight, I still feel pain sometimes, but at the same time… it’s been giving me this amazing energy and a will to live that I can’t even explain. I’m so much happier now.
And the funniest part? About six months ago, a neurologist told me I’d have to stop physical activities — that I wouldn’t be able to run or do any high-impact exercise… well 😂 today I already run 3 km (slowly, of course, no rush lol), take body pump classes with weights on my shoulders, do RPM… and I feel great!
And this past Sunday I went back to do the Setúbal swim crossing. It was simply amazing — not just physically, but especially because I felt so good mentally. That feeling of “I’m back,” you know?
I still have a long road ahead, especially when it comes to losing weight — it’s still a big challenge. But today I know that with support, determination, and one small step at a time… we keep moving forward. One day at a time. 💪✨
Lara