Monday, November 5, 2012

I hate unhappy endings

Alternate titles:  Life sucks, Not again, Clumsy Idiot, Hidden Dangers Under Leaves, Trail Running is Dangerous...

I'm the kind of girl that likes a happy ending.  Especially in movies.  If you can't get a happy ending in a movie, there is no point in watching it.  There are enough unhappy endings in real life that I won't pay  money to see that in a movie!

I had a glorious running week.  I was pretty sore from the half last Saturday so Monday I just hiked 4 miles with a friend and really enjoyed myself.  Tuesday I ran some of fastest 6 miles ever and loved every minute of it.  



Wednesday I ran again and had a fall snow globe moment.  Really, it was magical.  The sun was just coming up over the mountain, the tall line of poplar trees lining the streets were lit up from the sun making their yellow leaves absolutely shine.  


Then a stiff breeze came along and the loose leaves from the trees started raining down on me.  I stopped in my tracks, looked up, and took the moment in and drank it deep.  The wind swirled the leaves on the ground all around me and it was really one of those magical moments that never would have happened if I wouldn't have stepped out the door that day.  



I had a smile on my face for the rest of the day. Funny how something so small made me so happy.  Thursday I went to spin class and Friday I rested anticipating a long run with my brother the next day.


Saturday started early in Mantua with an Eagle Scout and his crew building new trail on the mountain bike/hiking trail that our city is building.  


He had quite a group there and they made such good progress.  We're in the trees now and it's beautiful. 


The view isn't bad either!


I ran home, ate a snack, and my brother arrived.  We headed to the canyon that I love and couldn't wait to share with him.


We decided to take the White Rock loop which is about 10 miles.  Only we ran it backwards from the only other time I've ran it, so I was questioning myself the whole way until I finally figured it out.  We climbed to the top of the big rock at the half way  mark and enjoyed the view.  




I really love running with my brother.  He really tolerates a lot from me.  He doesn't complain when I have to walk or when I stop every couple of feet to pick up or look at a cool rock.  (I found one that looked like gold that I brought home to Logan! It was very cool!)  After about 8 miles and on our way back, we were booking down the trail pretty quick.  The thing about trail running on leaves is that you can't really tell what's underneath.  I roll my ankles often and it never hurts.  I kind of pride myself in having strong ankles especially after last year.  But as I rounded a corner a little too fast, I twisted and rolled my ankle and it stopped me in my tracks.  After a few minutes I walked it off and it seemed o.k.  And I started running again but slower.  Pretty soon we were back to normal when I hit something else and that same ankle just collapsed.  I went down.  It was some pretty brutal pain, enough to make me cry a bit although the cramp in my abs as I went down was almost worse.  I had my brother help me get up so that I could stretch out the ab cramp and then get my bearings.  It really hurt.  I couldn't put full pressure on it.  But I didn't hear it pop either.  We made our way down slowly the rest of the mile or so that we had left.  I was bummed but not devastated. 

I've done most of the traditional stuff like elevating it, resting it as much as possible, wearing my compression socks, soaking it in an Epsom salt solution, and even taking a Celebrex.  I did ice it the first day for about 20 minutes but have decided that I'm not doing that anymore.  I've come to the conclusion that inflammation can be good.  It might hurt, but isn't it the body's defense system kicking in to help it heal?  I've also been ultra sounding it twice a day.  I got that little handy dandy machine this last winter to help heal my stress fracture.  I really think it works.  My cankle is pretty nasty.  It is bluish in areas and the swelling has just sort of moved around to the inside of my ankle as well as the outside and onto the top of my foot.  It still hurts and I probably will go get it checked out, but I'm hoping that it won't be long until it's back to normal.  But since I've never done this before I'm not sure how long it will take to heal?  Anyone out there with similar experiences?  

One of these things is not like the other.  Sunday.

Monday morning
Until then, I got my bike back downstairs and as soon as I can wear that shoe for more than 10 minutes I'll be back on it for as long as I can stand it.  I also can concentrate more on lifting my upper body as well.  I guess being injured earlier this year has taught me that it's not the end of the world and I can find things that I can do in the meantime.   


I do have to say that things are just not lining up for me the way I thought they would.  I had this plan to do the Grand Slam this year and really get good at the marathon.  I got on the website and it's already sold out.  I entered the Ogden Marathon lottery and didn't get in.  Although I know there's still hope, it just seems like my plans are not working out.  I just started a new training schedule last week.  Is there a pause button?  Time to come up with a new plan and hope for a happy ending.  

Oh, and if you come up with a clever alternate title for my post, please share.  I could use a good laugh about now!

15 comments:

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

LOVE that yellow shirt, what brand is it? Beautiful pictures, looks like an awesome place to get to go. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Cory Reese said...

Been there, done that (except playing basketball). My ankle was black and blue. The biggest mistake (typical of a runner) was pushing a comeback too quickly. Dumb.

Give it plenty of time to heal and I really don't think it will set you back too much.

Your pictures (aside from your bum foot) are amazing!

Penny said...

So sorry you hurt your ankle. DARN IT ANY HOW. Stay strong hopefully it will heal fast. Your pictures are amazing. What a great brother you have.

ihaverun said...

Oh Jen! I'm so sorry about your ankle. There will be a happy ending. I just know it!!

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get in to Ogden after the registration deadline for the lottery entries that got in!!

Teamarcia said...

Gorgeous pics! Well maybe not the one of your poor ankle. Ouchie! Hope it heals up quickly. SOrry things aren't falling into place the way you wanted. I'll bet you'll find a great alternate plan though. : )

Michelle @ www.movinitwithmichelle.com said...

If you look at all the amazing pics in this post, know that a happy ending is in your future. Sending prayers for a quick recovery!

Jeano said...

For a positive spin, how about, "cankles are the new pink!"? That really sucks, though. Hopefully you're up and running in no time!

Tasha Malcolm said...

I think running on the trails is pretty, but I tend to not pay attention to the ground which is why I fall. Which is why I avoid the trails. I only needed stitches once to learn my lesson. I still have the scare to prove it. I hope that your ankle gets better soon. Ice, ice, ice. :-)

Average Woman Runner said...

Wow - your photos and comments are stunning. Quite a magical place you live in! So very sorry about your ankle. Turned ankles can take a while if you don't give them rest. COMPRESSION and ice will help a lot. Get an ace bandage & keep that thing wrapped until the swelling goes down.

Johann said...

I've had some bad falls but never injured an ankle or knee or something else. I hope everything gets better and better soon. Hang in there!

Erica Gorman said...

Okay, I am officially jealous of all your wonderful views! What a gorgeous place to run and with all that beauty, how can you not stop and look?!

Mommy Run Fast said...

Oh no, Jen!! I rolled my ankle last winter and took two weeks off... it was still a little sore, but then I went to the dr for a bad cough and asked about it and was cleared to return to running... so I guess it depends where it is, and how bad, which is hard to say... I hope you're back soon!

Unknown said...

I can totally relate Jen... go here for my tale of ankle woe! Love the blog. Love the pics. Mike

My tale of woe is called "The View From Here"...
http://www.seemikerun.ca/2011/05/view-from-here.html

Kenzie @ Life According to Kenz said...

Loving the pictures in this post! Loving your blog as a whole, actually. :) Followed you on IG a while back and now happy to be following you here!

You inspire me!

Anonymous said...

Ouch - that is quite the bruising. Remember the B-R-I-C-E method. Beer-Rest-Ice...