Weekly Rundown- Licking My Wounds
After my fiasco last weekend, this week was all about healing (mentally and physically.) For my ankle, I did what I do for every injury- figure out what I can do without pain and do as much of that as possible. Movement=Blood flow=Healing! I’m linking up as always with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Rundown. Let’s go all the way back to the day after my race. Sunday After sleeping TEN HOURS on Saturday night, I woke up in my hotel bed. This day was all about packing up my things, loading up the car, and driving home. All easier said than done when you have an ankle injury! Luckily it’s my left ankle. I was able to get my shoe on over my swollen foot, which I considered a victory. And after a 3 1/2 hour drive through the pouring rain (I never want to see rain again) I made it home safe and sound. Monday When I planned this race months ago, I requested this day off work. BEST. DECISION. EVER. My daughter was off of school so I was able to sleep until 8:00. I rested with my foot up for a large part of the day, but I started moving it as much as I could- circles, tracing the letters of the alphabet- it didn’t want to move much to the side, but I did what I could. Tuesday Sigh. I might have been tempted to wallow for one more day, but my daughter had school so we were up at 5:30. After that, well, I might as well go to the gym, right? The good news is, I could put weight on my foot and walk very slowly. Moving it side to side was painful, but I taped it up and carried on. 45 minutes on the bike while listening to this podcast. They interviewed a woman named Angie Moses, who recently completed a 100 mile race. She said running is like a video game. Every time you try a new distance, it’s like moving up a level in the game. You might not beat the level the first time, but then you go back and try again- and you get as many tries as you need to complete that level. WELL. I liked that! I had to go back to work, and I was nervous about that (since I’m a massage therapist… I need to be able to move!) As long as I moved slowly and carefully, it was okay. Not ideal, but okay. Wednesday Let’s try some strength! I did upper body, abs, and decided to try the leg press machine. My foot felt a little achy, but I could do it. This felt good! Thursday Back to the gym, where I did 50 minutes on the bike. Unlike Tuesday, when I just pedaled to get my heart rate up a little and the blood circulating, I made this a harder workout with intervals. Have I ever mentioned that I hate the bike? I wanted to quit after 10 minutes but managed to stay on for 50. Friday Gym again, obviously. I did a lower body workout using machines. Normally I like free weights, but times like this are what machines are for! That felt good, and gave me a break from the bike. Saturday Off! Well, I had no choice. The gym doesn’t open until 8 on Saturdays, and I have to be at work at 8:45. I may be dedicated to working out, but I don’t go to the gym AFTER work- I have to draw the line somewhere. Sunday On tap- for something completely different, I’ll be… going to the gym. I am hoping to graduate from the bike to ANYTHING ELSE. We’ll see. Soooo… how’s that ankle feeling? BETTER. Being on my feet all day at work is hard, so I try to change up my position as often as possible. Now I’m able to raise up on the balls of my feet, and go into a (slight) lunge. The main area that’s still painful is the peroneal tendon, which goes down behind the outside of the ankle. I feel like I’m so close to being able to walk normally, and yet so far. But there was tremendous progress this week- let’s give it another week and see where I’m at! How was your week? Any good podcast recommendations for my gym workouts?