Last October I was training hard, coming off the back of a half marathon and training for a 10k. I loved the thrill of pushing myself to go faster, run longer and prove what I was capable of. I was training with a club and coach, as well as my own sessions on the road and in the gym to build strength and fitness. 

The morning of my 10k came around, and something felt a little off. I was still fine to run but had a slower race than normal. After the race I felt a strange pain in my hip and leg. I figured I had just strained a muscle but the next day the pain was worse. Soon I could even walk never mind run without pain.

I ended up with 9 months of no running, multiple MRIs and a lot of physio visits. At first this was frustrating and I felt like I had lost everything I was training for. Sitting still was uncomfortable, not only for my body but for my mind.

But over time, I started to see my injury differently. It became a teacher. Here are some lessons I learned:

- Rest is not weakness: I always thought progress came from doing more. But recovery is also part of growth. Without rest, the body and mind can't get stronger. 

- Progress is not a straight line: Training, like learning, has ups and downs. Sometimes we move forward quickly, other times slowly, and sometimes we even step back. That's normal.

- Listening to your body (or mind) matters: Ignoring pain only makes things worse. When I slowed down I began to heal and come back stronger.

This experience reminded me of something important: mistakes and setbacks are not the end of the jouney. They are part of it. 

And I think the same is true for learning a language. Sometimes students feel frustrated when they make mistakes, forget words or don't improve as fast as they want. But just like with running, slowing down, resting and being patient are often the keys to real progress.

So if you're learning English and feel "injured"  by mistakes or stuck at a plateu, remember this:  you are still moving forward. Every step - even the slow ones- matters.

I would love to support you on your journey. In my lessons, we focus not only on improving English skills but also on building confidence. Mistakes are welcome because they are the stepping stones to success. 

I am happy to conduct different styles of lessons and conversation. If you don't see a time that suits, please feel free to reach out and I can help find a time that suits you.