W8R1 ankle roll... shuffling off to the IC...

[Amandana]

Yesterday I set out to do w8r1 on a trail - it was lovely, sunny and about 17 degrees, perfect conditions for a shady trail run! There were geese and ducks out on the water, little squirrels scuttling about and birds hopping and fluttering away from the trail when I came near. I was a little concerned about bears as they've woken up and there are lots of reports of sightings (I'm in Canada), so my eyes were less trained on the trail ahead than usual, and were scanning ahead to make sure I wasn't about to surprise a mama bear with cubs. About 7 minutes in, I rolled my ankle when my toes caught on a tree root that was well disguised by shadows. UGH!

Cue immediate thoughts of "Noooo... I'm set to graduate this month, this isn't happening! I was going too fast, wasn't I, that was dumb. I wasn't watching my footing. No look, it really is hard to see... it could have happened to anyone. But not anyone would have sprained their ankle, why me, why does the universe not want me to run? Its going to be fine, everything will be fine, chill out. First my knees, now this... am I meant to run? Even real athletes get injuries, and they get over them, it's going to be fine."

It hurt enough that I sat for a couple minutes to assess what I'd managed to do to myself, I could walk on it with only a little pain and decided to walk back out. I did have a fleeting moment of thinking about how embarrassed I'd be to call my coworker friends near by to come rescue me if I did have a significant injury. Today it feels like the outside of my ankle is bruised but it isn't... think I've done something to a tendon, there is a mildly uncomfortable pulling sensation when I walk, but it isn't painful to weight bare, no swelling, so I'm hoping that's a sign it's pretty minor.

I'm going to head over to the IC for now, sigh. I know I'm doing the right thing not to run on it, but I really wanted to graduate this month!! I'm planning to be out of town this weekend and thinking I'm going to leave the shoes at home to avoid temptation and see where I'm at next Tuesday and go from there... back to running or to the physiotherapist

In the meantime, I was able to do yoga this morning with no pain at all, so I'm glad I have some alternate movement I can continue with.

Feeling worried that my cardio is going to go down and that I'm going to lose some of my hard earned progress. Sigh!

[Ripcurlrana71]

Oh no Amanda - sorry to hear that! I hope you are better soon but good not to risk damaging it more. Your run sounded idyllic until disaster struck!

[Amandana in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thank you.

It really was a great day to be out there!

[Tbae]

That’s awful and after your fabulous result last week.🙈

Sounds that you are on top of things.👏👏

What you have in your fitness bank, is going to repair you quicker.

Don’t worry, sort yourself out and these lovely continuous runs await

You on your return.

Take care of you,🌟👏👏

[Amandana in reply to Tbae]

Thanks for the kind words. I feel like I’m a bit older and wiser than I used to be... definitely would have pushed on 10 years ago. This definitely is a very up and down journey!

[Tbae in reply to Amandana]

Yes it’s a roller coaster Amandana in many ways.🤔

Maybe more correctly it is a endless journey of continuous improvement and continuous learning.

But the good thing there is so much support and information resource to find what is needed for us all.One size does not fit all, we all have different needs.

Just reading today, and excluding unfortunate injuries, a good running improvement regime is realistically acknowledged by experts to be two steps forward and one back.At elite level,🤔 1 day a week rest, and 2-4 weeks a year no running.

Atb.,

From a very senior and very novice runner.

Keep believing and keep smiling.🌟👏👏

[Bridget007 Graduate]

Oh no! I hope you recover quickly, you won’t have lost all your strength by next Tuesday you will have just recharged your batteries 😊 you’re very brave to run where there might be mother bears 🐻 although I bet the little cubs are gorgeous 😍

[Amandana in reply to Bridget007]

Thanks!!

The bears where I am are black bears which are not too aggressive - usually you make a loud noise and they take off. I should take a bell with me though so I am making enough noise not to surprise them.

I live in a city that’s very spread out with lots of natural green space or “bush” as we call it, so the bears make their way right into town as well as the parks. Friends have posted videos of them wandering through front yards or eating birdseed from a feeder. Beekeepers have electric fence to protect their hives. We had something I can only assume was a bear knock down our bird feeder before and now put out only the seed they don’t seem attracted to. We’ve seen young bears (yearlings) in my neighbourhood but thankfully no full size adults yet. Garbage day is of particular interest to them!

[Bridget007 Graduate in reply to Amandana]

It sounds wonderful 😃 I love animals 😍

[JennyH10 Graduate]

Oh no, I hope it’s very minor and doesn’t keep you out for long. I pulled a muscle in week 7 a few years ago, whatever you do don’t rush back out there until you’re sure it’s ok but also don’t let yourself get out of the habit either. I’m sure you’ll be out there again in no time 🤞

[Amandana in reply to JennyH10]

Thank you, I hope so. I know running is pretty hard on the body so definitely no rushing! I’m in my 12th week of training and only week 8 of the program after a slow start with my knees.

Glad to hear you didn’t let it stop you!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

You don't lose it that quickly...

Keep the ankle moving gently and do those other exercises to keep everything going

Make sure it is properly healed before heading out and remember.. the runs will still be there... waiting

Heal well x

PS

Tree root preferable to a Mama and cubs!! Eeek!

[Amandana in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss - very true, week 8 is there waiting for me whenever I'm ready!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

So sorry to hear of your injury Amandana, frustrating indeed. Don't despair though, you'll be ok after a short break. It's a blip and your fitness shouldn't be impacted. Sometimes after a short rest, you come back even better. It sure sounded like a great run....up to the sneaky tree root tripping you up

[Amandana in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks Alliecat! Glad to hear you and others say it shouldn't impact my fitness. I'm keeping my chin up and taking it as it comes

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Ouch! I’m trying to get off the couch to make space for you. There’s a foot stall somewhere if I can just find it...