Frustration

I severely sprained my ankle over a week and a half ago, missed 2 days of hiking, went to Canada for one day, then was back to hiking without much problem. I flew home Monday, July 2, and I have been aching ever since. I think that the flying caused it to swell and the humidity has slowed it down from shrinking. I don't know why it hurts, it just does. I had hoped (way back) to try to walk some of the 15 miles this Saturday, but I already know I won't be doing that. I do plan to come out and cheer a bit though. I want to test out riding a bike, but right now I don't even think that would be very comfortable.

I'd also like to start back running this coming Monday, but with it aching like this, I'm not sure that's a great idea either. I'll wait and see. I'm trying to stay off of it as much as possible, but lying around with it elevated just makes me feel more lazy. It is not as swollen today, but still aches. I have a brace to wear, but it gives me a heat rash.

I haven't even finished unpacking and washing clothes yet (that would be something I'd normally do immediately upon return). I think I'll go take a short nap and then try to get up and do a few things around the house. I'm not hobbled for normal stuff, I'm just trying to stay off of it a good bit to get it back down to size. I'm hobbled for running right now, not for life's stuff, but this is frutrating. I'll not be missing the marathon, but really need to get back into the training. Although I've hiked a good bit, I feel like I'm having two weeks off since the half marathon. Not good.

Either way, I'll see y'all Saturday morning. I may not make it at 5:30 to see you off, but I'll be there to see you back in. We'll see, I might even run a few steps. :-)

I'm back!!

Thank you so much to all of you who sent well wishes after my fall and ankle sprain. I got back home late last night, to much humidity and more ankle swelling. I'm trying to take it easy, but had to hit the ground running (figuratively) today. I'm going to take it easy the rest of the week and think it's wise to miss the 15 miler this Saturday, just so I can get better. I'm hoping if I rest well and ice it, I'll be ready to get back into shorter runs next Monday.

As for the remainder of the trip, I missed two hiking days, the first of which was almost a blizzard (and I napped through it), and the second of which was quoted by the hiking book as "insanely steep" due to bear activity closing our other alternative exits from that trail. So I lucked out with what I missed. We went to Canada the third day, and after that, I hiked the rest. We didn't get to do the longer trails we love so much because of either the access road being closed due to late snowfall or trails being closed for bear activity. It worked out just as well.

Since this is a time in my life where I'm paying much more attention to the journey than the finish line, this was a great trip to remind me of that. These friends on this trip were so great, helping, thoughtful, etc. And when I was able to walk into our meeting room without crutches after a couple of days, everyone cheered. What a close group of friends. We had a blast.

I walked out of the airport last night at 10:30 thinking "tell me again why we live here with this humidity?" Oh yeah, it's the friends. Thank you all for your thoughts and wishes, they worked!!