I started the C25K many weeks ago now, and was delighted with my progress, had made it as far as run 3 of week 7. Which I even did on a remote island in Ireland complete with hills and heat and bemused looking cows. So I was feeling pretty pleased with myself, until I turned on my left foot and sprained my ankle. Not even running at the time, I just slipped on some grass. It was quite bad, there was a crunch and I nearly fainted. That was five weeks ago now. I NICEed as much as possible, and have been doing stretches and exercise to regain strength and flexibility in the joint. But I'm just so disheartened by how long it's taking to recover, and feeling so scared that I won't get back to it, my motivation will evaporate, it'll never heal properly etc etc... I tried a gentle Week 5 jog twice last week, with a strap on the ankle, but the site has got swollen and sore again as a result, so I'd better rest it for longer. But How Long?! Is This Normal?!
Oh poor you! I've been out of action for two weeks with an ankle injury now and it's driving me mad! It sounds to me that you did too much on the first time out, keep icing it and just go for a brisk walk when you have no pain then take it from there. That's what I plan to do. I'm also going to go to a sports physio and get a proper assessment. Good luck!
Sorry to hear about your accident Clara, ankle injuries can take a while to get sorted due to the weight they have placed on them. Whenever possible try and elevate your damaged leg and rest it as much as you can. By the way who said it was a bad sprain, did you get an xray done. If it doesn't settle down soon I would get it checked out by your doctor. Good luck and take care.
I had physio, the advice was about increasing the proprioception of the joint and improve the muscle strength (I have damaged my tendons and ligaments so badly there is no way that part will recover fully - I've properly twisted about 20 times over the past 3 years). Exercises were fairly simple, Stand on the bad ankle while you brush your teeth, when you can do that without falling over close your eyes. Also things like doing one legged squats and throwing and catching a ball on the bad ankle.
As for the time it takes to recover... as long as it takes I'm afraid - Don't push it too hard, keep doing what you are doing and maybe see your Dr or get a referral to a physio to get it checked out.
I hope I've not been all doom and gloom - it does take time to recover, be patient with yourself, get it checked out and don't give up - I made it with a dodgy ankle! You can too
Good luck
Thank you all for the really helpful advice. I haven't got it checked out professionally, I think that's probably the next thing to do. Btw, I meant RICE of course, not NICE. Durr.
In the meantime Clarabow you can do pool running (no impact) or if even that is too much, just get some good aerobic swimming sessions under your belt. It will help with your cardio fitness once you are back up and running (sorry, bad pun!) I know how it feels to be out due to injury and it is very frustrating for you.
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Ankle Injury Update
Ankle injury 
Pain (sprained ankle) 
Week 6 Day 2 - injury! :(
