I originally went to my Foot & Ankle Specialist doctor on 11/2. He took X-rays and didn't find anything crazy except for some mild swelling and irritation above my toes. Went home with some orthotics and scheduled a re-check for 2 weeks. After taking a couple test runs and extra rest days, my right foot began to feel better. I still had a few sharp pains, but they were getting less intense. I began to feel really good and a lot stronger.
Flash forward to the Thursday before my re-check. I ran 3.5 miles on my treadmill. Hopped off and did some weights, lunges, jumping jacks, and stretches. Made a quick pit stop. I was feeling great so I decided to hop back on for a few more miles. I ended up with a 7.5+ mile run. I was really starting to pick up my pace and feel good. After my run I showered and went into town to run some errands. I was dropping something off for a friend at her house. I left it inside her screen door, turned to go up the concrete steps, and BAM!!! I was flung to the left and on the ground. It happened so quick that I was up immediately and in my car in seconds. I was hoping no one in the neighborhood witnessed my graceful trip to the ground. I still have no clue how I could have twisted my ankle where I did. I had to have stepped in the only place possible. I doubt I could even reenact the event. As my left ankle twisted all the way to the side it made a terrible sound. I have twisted my ankle far worse in the past so I wasn't really too worried. I figured I would just rest it until the Half in Seattle that is coming up this Sunday, 11/25. I went to the grocery store and when I got out of the car it was extremely sore...not good. I used the cart to finish the trip, picked up my girls from school, and then quickly got home so I could get it up and start icing it.
I got up Friday morning and it was sore but way better. I really didn't think much of it. I just figured they could take a quick look at it when I went in to re-check my other foot. I got to my appt, told the assistant what happened, and they immediately wanted to do x-rays. I seriously thought it was a waste of time. It was feeling better. After the x-rays I went back to the exam room to wait for the doctor. While I was waiting they had one view of my x-rays up. I didn't see anything to be concerned about so I just sat back and waited. My doctor came in pretty quick and got the story, as I start rambling on about how excited I was that my right foot is better and about running the half in Seattle, he starts looking at all 3 views of my foot. INSERT OMINOUS MUSIC HERE........
I saw his face change and his next words were, I've got some bad news. My heart instantly froze. Then I began to panic inside though my doctor and his assistant didn't have a clue. He told me that not only did I have a fracture, I had two fractures along with a tendon being torn away from the fibula. What??? How was this happening? Before I could blink, they had me in an aircast boot. Next came the dreaded words, rest, elevate, and ice. Also as little walking as possible and definitely NO RUNNING. I have a 3 week re-check appt on December 7th. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good news at that one. Is it too early to make a Christmas Wish? All I want for Christmas is to be able to run again on strong, healthy feet.
Friday was a blur. I look and feel awful trying to move around in my boot. Saturday was a true pity party. I probably broke down and cried every hour or so. So many emotions but mostly fear. I'm so scared that this won't heal and I'll have to have surgery. Since being called obese back on October 2nd, I have successfully worked off 18 pounds by just focusing on eating healthy, smaller portions, and slowly increasing my mileage. Now that is gone. I don't want to gain any of it back. I'm frustrated that I will have to start over. I don't want any of my bad habits to return. Running is as beneficial to my mental health as it is my physical. I have not been without it since I started my journey in 2006.
I'm beyond sad to know that I will not be running the Seattle Half this weekend. I was so pumped to tackle the course and the weather. I was feeling so good about it. I'm also very sad about being out a medal that I know I would have earned. I love my race bling. This will be my first ever DNS and I hope it is my last.
My blog and all the amazing friends I have met from it are going to be what gets me through. We have had crazy weather here and several power outages which has made updating all of you hard. I also have to sit at my desk which makes my foot hurt. I finally got an opportunity to catch up today and took it. You will probably be hearing a lot from me since I already have cabin fever.
I'm asking for any and all advice I can get. I want to stay as active as possible without hurting my foot/ankle. Any thoughts??? Anyone else have this kind of injury???
Thanks again for all of your support.
Good luck to everyone running their turkey trots, running Seattle, and all the other races that are happening over this Thanksgiving Break!!!
14 comments:
0h goodness... I hope it heals quickly! Injuries suck so much ass!
I can totally sympathize with you. I head back to PT for the 3rd time this year on Monday! I just want to run healthy, too!! I have a buddy who went from running mega miles and FAST to running nothing. He had multiple foot fractures from an accident. He's been logging time in the pool doing water jogging and then when he could without pain, he was cycling. He has the ok for running, but he still has pain, so he's back in the pool. It's been about 4 months for him. I've been bac to runnign quick with 2 partially torn adductors (well 1, then aggravated it coming back to quick), shin splints brought on by rhabdomyolysis (caused by severe dehydration from running/ doing a ton of yard work and not drinking...)and now a partially torn/ strain in my left groin from playing softball.
I hope this latest injury for you will be over wuick!
I have been sidelined for almost two months now. It's been awful. But what I have learned is that running does not control my weight (although, it certainly had a big hold on my mood!). I have maintained my weight. I noticed that I was gaining back a few pounds and so I was very intentional in my eating. I couldn't do ANY cardio.
You won't gain your weight back...just be smart. The better you are to your ankle, the sooner it will heal. Thinking of you!
that sucks. get better soon!
I'm so sorry! That totally, totally sucks. I wish I had some advice on what to do to stay active, but even biking would put pressure on the foot and ankle. I hope you heal soon.
You will come out stronger in the end. So sorry that you are having to go through injury. so frustrating. speedy healing!
Sorry to hear about your injury. Stay off the foot as much as you can. Listen to the doctor :)
oh no! I hope you heal quickly!!
That totally sucks. I'm in the same boat of constant injury. I had two surgeries this year and I gained so much weight during the first surgery. So, the second surgery, I was bound to not go overboard with food. I bought alot of salmon burgers and turkey burgers and healthy, but easy things to make (like sweet potatoe fries). It did help alot. However, I couldn't exercise at all from the second surgery.
Since you have a fracture in your leg, I would suggest doing arm workouts and if you can, ab workouts. Iw ould only suggest swimming and/or cycling later on when after a couple of weeks.
But totally sorry.
Did they ever find out about the toe? Mine comes and go.
Anything new? I have new news: no more long distance running, no more high mile weeks. My hip has a birth defect and if I continue as I am I will continue to strain/ tear the muscles that have been injured on and off for 14 months. It will also accelerate arthritis big time and a replacement will be needed sooner rather than later. So, I focus on triathlons again with running about 3-4 times a week, short and fast (2-3) or long, slow (3-5).
How are you doing these days?
Brand new to your blog. I can't wait to read past posts!
I wish I had some advice for you! Maybe some ab, arm work & then swimming once you get the go ahead from your doc? I hope you heal up soon!
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