Elite sky runner shares her journey through injury and recovery

CurraNZ ambassador and elite trail runner Jess Campbell is no stranger to the highs and lows of competitive sport. This year, she's opened up about a challenge many athletes quietly battle - long-term injury. In this candid piece, Jess shares the realities of recovery and the mindset shift it took to prioritise her long-term health over short-term performance.

"As an athlete, I’ve always strived to do better and be better - but sometimes, that’s come at the expense of the very thing that helps me achieve those goals: my body."

For years, Jess had managed to “get by” through pain and recurring injuries, racing internationally despite ongoing tendinopathies. But after a tough stint in Europe, she knew it was time to change her approach.

“I realised not being able to run at my full potential wasn’t much fun anymore. I was able to run up and down and across mountains but my body was just compensating in ways it shouldn’t have been.”

Hitting Pause to Move Forward

Returning to New Zealand, Jess made the bold call to stop racing and focus entirely on healing. What she thought might take a few weeks turned into a six-month journey - starting from the basics.

“Six months later, I’m only just up to running 20km a week. It’s been anything but a linear journey, with many ups and downs, improvements and setbacks.”

She discovered the root of her problems: instability in her pelvis and a lack of core strength. Her solution? A patient rebuild through bodyweight movements, balance training, Pilates, and even aqua jogging (“it’s not just for old people!”).

Fueling Recovery with the Right Support

Throughout this phase, nutrition has been a non-negotiable - and so has CurraNZ.

“Even though my training volume dropped, I knew my body needed nutrients to heal. That’s included taking CurraNZ daily to support my recovery.”

The Mental Battle

Perhaps the hardest part of injury? The mental side. Jess admits the frustration of watching friends compete and adventure without her, and the difficulty of letting go of timelines.

“Probably the biggest challenge has been the mental one. Trying not to compare myself to everyone and not setting expectations for a time when I’ll be able to compete again. Pushing through pain is too often glorified and can lead to detrimental outcomes.  We need to listen to our bodies and find that balance between exploring our limits and hurting ourselves.”

Looking Ahead

Despite the setbacks, Jess’s passion is far from dimmed. Having earned selection at the World Mountain Running and Trail Championships in September, the Christchurch-based athlete has a renewed focus on smart recovery.

“These past few months have made me question myself as a runner - but I know I still have the drive. If I keep doing recovery right, I believe it will all pay off.”