I need to learn to listen to my body'

Thompson-Herah, who recently left Elite Track Club after less than a year there, has explained the critical mistake she has been making which has been contributing to her constant injury issues.

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah has revealed her biggest regret which has led to her experiencing a tumultuous last couple of seasons ever since her fantastic exploits in 2021.

Since her record-breaking performances in 2021, which included back-to-back Olympic 100m and 200m titles, Thompson-Herah has faced a series of setbacks, mainly due to injury issues, particularly involving her Achilles tendon.

Thompson-Herah’s injury troubles resurfaced in early June at the New York Grand Prix, where she sustained an Achilles tendon tear during the 100m race, finishing in an uncharacteristic 11.48 seconds. Speaking about that race, she recalled how the pain struck as she neared the finish line:

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“I felt something in the race but insisted on pushing through,” Thompson-Herah shared in an Instagram post on June 26. “A couple of steps before the line, I realized something was really wrong. I couldn’t apply any pressure on my leg and had to be carried off the track.”

Despite the severity of the injury, Thompson-Herah tried to maintain a positive mindset, hoping to recover in time for Jamaica’s National Championships, which would serve as trials for the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, her body didn’t cooperate. She was forced to withdraw from both the 200m and 100m events, further dashing her hopes of competing on the grandest stage once again.

Thompson-Herah now admits that her biggest regret is not listening to her body sooner. She revealed that her determination to keep going, even through pain, has only worsened her injuries.

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In a candid conversation on The Powells podcast, hosted by fellow Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell and his wife Alyshia back in 2022, Thompson-Herah revealed how pushing her body beyond its limits has contributed to her recent struggles.

The sprinter admits that her relentless drive to excel, even when her body was signaling for a break, may have led to her physical decline.

“I need to learn to listen to my body,” she said during the podcast. “That one day where I cannot manage, I need to listen to myself. If I listen, I might only be out for six weeks, four weeks, or even two.”

The sprinter reflected on her mindset, one that many elite athletes develop—a mentality that encourages them to push through pain in pursuit of greatness. “I regret that even last season (2022), when I felt the pain in my feet, I thought I could just warm up and push through it. But if I had listened to my body, it might not have ended up so bad,” Thompson-Herah confessed.

Despite her injury woes, Thompson-Herah’s competitive fire never waned. Even when not at her best, she was still running blistering times—regularly clocking 10.8 or 10.9 seconds, which are considered elite in women’s sprinting. But her determination to constantly improve and chase new milestones may have cost her dearly.

“I think it is a mentality we develop as athletes, especially at that level. It doesn’t matter whether you are feeling pain or not, you always want to try,” she explained. “I was not even at my best but still running 10.8 or 10.9. I remember the days when running under 11 seconds was a huge achievement. But once you break that barrier, you want more—you want 10.8, 10.7, and so on.”

In a major decision following her injury-plagued seasons, Thompson-Herah parted ways with Elite Track Club, where she had been training since her rise to international fame. She expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s inability to help her reach peak condition, which contributed to her decision to step away.

This move signals a new chapter for the sprint queen, who will now look to realign her training and recovery strategies. For an athlete of Thompson-Herah’s caliber, the expectation remains high, but the lessons learned from her recent setbacks might shape her approach moving forward.