Train Like a Mother Club Coach and Another Mother Runner Podcast Host Amanda Loudin finds herself in a holiday hole. Literally.
A decade or so ago, I began a long streak of injuries, seemingly one after the other. It was frustrating, heartbreaking, and maddening. I finally landed on a wise PT who helped me break that streak; however, and with lots of dedication to strength work and pre-hab, I have been injury free for more than three years. When I say that, it doesn’t include taking a week or two off here or there to nip something in the bud, but for the most part, it’s been a good run (pun intended).
So it was incredibly disheartening to me 11 days ago when out on a run, I stepped into a hole, badly spraining my ankle. My first, immediate issue was getting home. I was about a mile out, but could not even consider walking that far on my rapidly swelling ankle. I don’t carry a phone with me, so I had no way to reach out to anyone. I had no option but to sit on the side of the road, waiting for a good Samaritan.
The first potential ride came in the form of an older gentleman who encouraged me to hop into his car. I asked if instead he had a phone I could use, and when he told me he couldn’t find it, I decided I’d wait in the cold mud for another prospect. Soon, a nice lady came walking along, phone in hand.
Issue number two: who to call? My husband was out of town. It was 9 a.m. on a Thursday, so none of my friends would be home and, besides that, I no longer know anyone’s phone numbers. (Sidenote: does anyone these days?) But as luck would have it, I was not only a mile from home but a mile from my PT’s office. I could look a business number up and call.
So I dialed my PT and he picked me up, taking me directly back to his office for treatment. He estimated I would be looking at two to three weeks off of running. I believed him at the time, but as the day wore on and the swelling and discoloring increased, I became skeptical.
On my PT’s orders, I didn’t do much but sit with my foot elevated for about three days, with a little dorsi- and plantar-flexion thrown in to keep the ankle mobility intact. I avoided ibuprofen to allow my body’s inflammatory process kick in, knowing this was the speediest path to healing. On the fourth day, I was able to drive to a soccer tournament about an hour away and catch my son’s game.
Since then, I have progressed at an amazing rate. At a week in, I hit the pool and took the dog for a mile walk. Nine days after the sprain, I was able to do a CrossFit work out at my PT’s gym, with some modifications. Joining others and getting my heart rate up again was the mood boost I needed.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel — I think my PT was right and that I will be back to running sooner rather than later. While suffering an injury initially took me back to a dark mental place, being able to see daily progress has made this one much, much easier to take than those I dealt with in the past.
Injuries suck, there is no two ways about it. But with the exception of acute injuries like an ankle sprain, there really is a great deal we can do to avoid them. There’s also a right way and a wrong way to recover from them — and following a trusted practitioner’s advice wins every time. I won’t run a day earlier than my PT’s recommendation, but I’m confidant that will be soon thanks to his guidance.
I wish you all an injury free holiday season!
Youch! Glad you’re healing so quickly! Please, please take a phone with you from now on. Safe Like a Mother Runner right? #SAMR God forbid it’s more serious the next time. Your family wants you home safe and sound. I used to leave my phone home. A few years ago I broke my ankle on a trail I run every day. I was only about 30 minutes in-it took me 90 minutes to get out on hilly, rocky terrain. I take it with me every day now. You just don’t know what could happen. :)
Great post! Thank you. I know I’ll be remembering this the next time an injury/issue pops up. And yes, like Barbara said, take your phone (and whistle & mace). You may need it yourself but you can also help someone else (like the woman walker who helped you). #SAMR So glad you’re healing quickly!!
Coach Amanda my heart goes out to you!! Monday on my run It was a beautiful snowy morning. About an inch or so of fresh on the ground the perfect temp, mid-20s. The snow covered where the asphalt and ditch change maybe in inch difference or so and I caught that edge just right (or wrong) and sprained my ankle. Not quite as badly as yours but it hurt(s)! I was able to get the 1/4 home and I am a PTA so my co-worker taped me up and I made it through my day. Took the next day off and went to the pool yesterday. Today My swelling is about 85% gone and no bruising. Am going to go out for a mile recovery run and see how that goes. Every day is getting better!
Ouch!!! Thank you for this reminder! I have kicked the same piece of wood (or something) on my last two dark morning runs. I’m going to make sure it is well out of my path tomorrow morning since I obviously didn’t kick it hard/far enough yesterday morning. And, oh my gosh! I know running phone free is liberating, but please take a phone!
Owie!!! Glad you’re on the mend!
Oh, ouch! Had a similar injury last year and recovering can be such a frustrating process. Wishing you all the best and quick healing!
I am looking into getting one of these https://www.bestbuy.com/site/run-angel-personal-safety-wearable-alarm/5973202.p?skuId=5973202
you can push a button if you are in trouble and it will notify your contacts that you need help