October and November really cramped my progress as a runner, dancer, and athlete. I finished my first half-marathon in September in Virginia Beach and finally hit my stride as a runner. That feeling you get after crossing the finish line has always been intoxicating; 13.1 in 2:00:13 was a huge personal achievement. I wanted another go at the half with long term goals of completing the whole. I got injured in a friendly game of flag-football on an unlucky day last month and had to rearrange my priorities. Fast.

The Richmond Marathon has come and gone. I must say I was nowhere near capable to even give it a shot last Saturday. After a closed concussion in mid-October, my football days were put on hold and I was thrown head first (pun intended) into a aggressive recovery plan.

I had spinal surgery in 2002, but being youthful and optimistic, I still found my body to be resistant to life-altering injury. I got my first tennis racquet at age 5, my tap shoes and ballet slippers about the same time. Thanks to my parents, I never looked back. Couch potato life was never an option in my household. My last name is Hunger; it would be far too ironic if we were overweight. Here's the problem: I refused to believe a bump on my head could get in the way of my active lifestyle or my ambitious career goals.

Pain is a bother. Severe pain can be crippling, especially if it is located in your neck and lower back. I will never take sitting, walking, eating, and driving for granted again. When normal daily activities become extraordinarily painful and difficult, its hard not to feel down or blame others for the state of your body. However, it could have been worse. Much worse. I ended up in the hospital for 13 long days, released as "recovered," and staying on my long-term post-accident care plan.

The last thirty days have changed my body drastically; I lost most of my running muscle and physical strength, my appetite for quite sometime, and control over my daily schedule. But here's what I gained: thankfulness for my life, family, and friends, an appreciation for what my body is capable of (in terms of healing), and mental strength/stamina that I get to carry with me the rest of my life.

I refuse to suffer. Pain is an issue, suffering is a choice. While it's never convenient to get hurt, put your job on hold, or stop your normal style of living, health care must come first. If you do not care for yourself, then no one else can. If you do not add value to your own person, then you can spend very little energy toward helping others, contributing to society, or focusing on your own goals.

I am thankful for my family those who helped me during a mentally challenging time for me; being stubborn and independent are qualities that I like about myself, but I have now learned these must be balanced with temperance and quiet confidence. My life has taken many unexpected turns over the last 5 years but I am so very grateful those who help me grow everyday.

Strength can be defined in many ways: pounds added to a bench-press bar, time spent running outside, or the ability to make it through adversity.

I like to think that I work on different types of strength-training everyday, even if I go nowhere near the gym.