76 and holding

Injury Derails 100 mile challenge

Last Monday actually, it’s been a month now, I went out to start my 76-mile. The day after I had run 5 miles for the first time.  I was just going to run a "quick" miles.   I got .40 of a mile, fell and sprained my ankle.  We went to the ER.  They prescribed R.I.C.E., Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.  They gave me crutches to use for the first 3 days.  I did.  I even used the special Wal-Mart scooter.   The first two days all I could think about was when am I going to be able to run again?  Then I realized the immediate problem that was in front of me was that we leaving for Prague exactly a week from the time I fell.  I went from when would I run - till I hope I can make it through Prague.  I hope my ankle doesn’t re-swell on the plane.  I hope, I hope, I hope. 

Made it through Prague with the ankle holding on.   It was absolutely beautiful.  Amazing!  I could write many a blog post on beautiful Prague.

The day we got home I called the Orthopedist.  My ankle was still slightly swollen and sore. I got an appointment (a week later).  He gave me a better brace and sent me to Physical Therapy.  I have Googled everything about sprained ankles.  How long does it take to heal?  Running after a sprained ankle.  Recovery of a sprained ankle.   Treatment.  I really got no great answers.  Honestly, the ER lead me to believe I would be good to go in about 2 weeks or maybe that’s is what I wanted to hear.  Now they are saying 4-6 weeks.  I’m doing my exercises; icing it, take my ibuprofen and going to therapy.

I took me a while to get the words down for this.  I sound dispassionate writing this but I was so devastated.  Running is a release for me as I am sure it is for many.   It helps keep me grounded as well as my weight in check.  I was running and getting better each day with longer runs - then BOOM!  

I’m starting back to school tomorrow.  Summer vacation is over!  I am going to do everything I can to get this ankle better.  I know there are thousand of worse things than my little sprained ankle.  I’m just trying to positive.