Just a few days before the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, numerous well-known athletes pulled out due to illness and injury, shocking the running community. Molly Seidel, 29, also expressed her sadness at not being able to compete in the trials in an emotional Instagram post on February 1. Following her Olympic medal, the 28-year-old has had a difficult time getting back to form. She was diagnosed with ADHD in 2022 and took a hiatus from during the World Championships.

Although she experienced short-term relief following her personal record in the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Now the recent upset left many wondering: What prevented her from competing, and how did the Olympian’s goals get clouded yet again by recurring injuries?

Molly Seidel’s history of injuries

Seidel has faced several challenges in her journey since her historic Olympic bronze medal in 2021. The year began with the marathon runner breaking two ribs ahead of the 2021 New York Marathon. She struggled with eating disorders during her college years, and she is still in the process of recovering. In addition, Seidel was diagnosed with ADHD in February 2022.

She pulled out of the Boston Marathon in 2022 at mile 16 owing to a hip issue. She admitted that she wasn’t feeling well at a pre-event screening at the 2022 World Championships, stating the toll on her mental health. While battling through these issues, Seidel did not finish a major marathon event between November 2021 and October 2023. Following a significant period spent tending to her health, Seidel returned in 2023. But the setbacks didn’t stop there; she was forced to withdraw from the Japan Women’s Marathon in Nagoya because of a hip injury.

The marathoner put a halt to her professional training to recover following the Chicago Marathon and followed a different path in 2024 since she had her eyes set on the Olympic Team Trials Marathon in Orlando. However, she recently shared the news of a deteriorating knee problem in an Instagram video, after her committed attempts at cross-training. The news was upsetting for the marathon community who were awaiting Seidel’s presence on the tracks after adhering to a new approach.

The changed mindset

One of the most noticeable changes in Seidel’s strategy for pursuing her Olympic goals was her renewed dedication. Setting up a stark comparison between the 2020 Trials and the present 2024 Trials, Seidel stressed how vital it is to treat her body and mind with care. Looking back on her previous training, she saw the drawbacks of a rigorous, exhausting schedule.

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Her progress has involved learning when to push herself and when to ease off, which shows that her athletic approach has matured. It was “the biggest thing that I’ve had to learn,” she confessed to NBC.

The issue that lurks as Seidel strikes a delicate balance between self-care and ambition is whether her sustainable strategy may lead to another victorious return.

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