When You Go Down....When You Go Down Down...

With an injury that is! (But yes...Flo Rida has made his way onto my play list...and get your mind out of the gutter will ya?!)

As we all know I have come close before, but this time I really did it.

The run on Thursday started out perfect (like most do). The park was dry and fast...leaves crunching under my feet as I weaved my way in and out of new trails. The sun was shinning and it was unusually warm...so much so that I was able to wear just a t-shirt and pants. My time was fantastic and I was getting quicker with each passing mile. I was on top of the world chasing the sun as it started to set in the distance.

On top of the world that is until I finally hit the pavement heading home. Just as I started down the main stretch past the dog park and playground I spotted a young kid on a dirt bike in one of the fields. I really don't know what happened after that. All I remember was thinking "huh...that kid is really tearing the place up" when I felt a "pop". The pain that rushed thru my foot...ankle...knee and hip was like nothing I have felt before. It was like for one nano second I had lost all control of my left leg as it made this gross "slow motion" bend that I could not prevent mid stride. It was like that replay on TV where the guy twists his ankle and hits the ground. The one where everyone in the room almost throws up in their mouth a little as the announcers play it over and over again (yeah....you know the one!)  It scared the crap out of me...I literally could not breathe for a few seconds.

Now, you are probably thinking "didn't she do this before on her way to the brewery?"

Why yes...yes I did....but this time it was different. I did not fall. As we all know...I am a terrific faller....and if I had managed to do that I probably would have been O.K. Instead I think I tried to "over correct" and catch myself. I was successful and ended up just standing there in unbelievable pain staring at that kid and his damn bike.

Of course, the first thing I did was turn around to make sure my foot was not laying in the road a few feet back. After determining that it was still attached I took a deep breath and looked down. I thought for sure a bone had to be sticking out somewhere. To my surprise there was no blood...no bone....nothing too gross....just some slight swelling. I took a look at both my ankles next to each other and made the decision to call off the run and head home.

The pain walking was so bad that for a good 1/4 mile I contemplated calling to get a ride. After about 1/2 mile my foot had started to go numb...but my knee and hip felt fine. I did the only thing I could think of. I tried running on it. I crossed the field by my house and found the mowed grass trail to follow. It may have been hurting like a b*tch but at least I could put pressure on it and get a half way decent stride going.

Upon my return home I was greeted with a "that does not look good...get some ice" by multiple people grilling out.

And ice I did. It helped some....but it prevented me from running for a few days. Those were not a fun few days. I watched and read as everyone got out on their runs and I just had to sit around and think about running. As we all know....I should not be allowed to sit around and think. I think I thought about everything....training runs....running with friends....running in the park...on the trails....my trail runs that start in a few weeks....skiing...snow shoe running....the 1/2 marathon in March...the brewery. It was ridiculous. I can never get injured again. At one point I was ready to call it quits and even shut down the blog.

Today I finally made the decision to get out and test it. It rained all day so I decided not to do the trails or park and just stick to a paved trail. I tightened up the ol XR Missions and headed out the door. It was pouring...but it was almost 60 degrees so I was golden. I love running in the rain and it showed...I had a PR for the first few miles. I could not believe it. I thought I was going slow so as to not injure myself on the wet concrete but I was flying. While there was still swelling there was no "active" pain while running. I got home...stripped down....hit the shower and noticed that while the pain was returning...the swelling was not all that bad. I was as happy as could be!

Now, I know I should not be doing something that causes pain....but I think I can run thru this one. There is no bruising and no real pain to the touch. I think it is just a bad twist...but it is something I don't want to do again. In the morning I am going to head down to John's Run Walk and look for a running brace. This is the same ankle that twisted on the brewery run a few weeks back, so I think something may be up and is likely to happen again. The last thing I want to do is have this happen at TOPO....but then again....it only seems to happen on concrete...I am like a friggin gazelle on grass/trail :)

In other news...this accident happened while O-Zone was playing so they will have to leave the play list for a little bit. I am superstitious like that. But I am not worried since I read some time in the near future Zikali will be releasing their amazing music from Summits of My Life/A Fine Line for purchase!!! I can fill the play list with that. It is such beautiful music...you will want to do everything while listening to it....run...dance....cook....make love....dream...drive....you name it....it has you covered...google them and try to find some of their stuff on SoundCloud! It reminds me of the music my mother played for us growing up.  Actually....better yet...here...here it is:

https://soundcloud.com/zikali

Also...I was excited to find quite a few open trails for XC skiing during our trip in a few weeks. I think I am going to spend most my time doing this...after all I don't want to show up the group too much on downhill. I would hate to have to leave them early so that I could join the X-Games or something (that is a joke...I don't want any of our international readers to translate and be like "woah....she is a champion!") AND...I figure it would be a really good workout. I have never tried it but hey....what is life for? I will master it before I leave those mountains!!

And if anyone has recommendations on what month is best to head out to CO let me know. I know quite a few of you head out there in the spring/summer. I want best running conditions!

Oh...and here is "transparency"....me running in the pouring rain. I don't know if you have tried it but it is hard to smile in the rain while wearing a visor and taking a picture. Give me a break :)