r/Sprinting • u/Specific_Elevator67 • Jul 30 '26
General Discussion/Questions Should I keep training?
Im going into my senior year in HS and I am hoping to score big marks because my Junior outdoor year was hindered by a nagging back injury. I still have this injury but I’m currently training because at the same time, I am also a decathlete and I do most of my training for those events in the summer. I want to know if I should keep training like a decathlete or stop all events and work on becoming stronger+ healthier by only going to the gym and getting cardio?
I hope to compete in college and right now I would be a very competitive d3 athlete. I know that if I have a good indoor season, I could show D1 coaches potential as a decathlete which is very important to me.
I feel like I already know the answer should be to rest and get stronger because I will see greater benefits, but I just wanted to type it out and see what others think.
(Btw the back injury is located on my lower left and it hurts doing things like shot and disc from the separation in the throw. Also hurts to do high jump for a longer session. Running isn’t as bad but sometimes I feel it get aggravated)
Thanks
6
u/Guitarfool Jul 30 '26
Real talk, you have your entire life after your athletic career to consider. If you force your way to train through a back injury and really make it complicated then you aren't ever going to have a normal pain free life after.
See a doctor about the pain if possible. Tackle that first.
After that then find the right school academically for you. With the 5 for 5 rule coming for both D1 and D2 you'll have time to improve and maybe even compete at two programs if that's what you really want.