Decisions, Decisions…

Last week before my icky, sticky afternoon run, I rolled my ankle a little. Since it didn’t bother me I ran anyway. And really, it hasn’t bothered me much at all. Except for two days ago, when I ran my first three consecutive miles. It didn’t hurt at all during the run, but afterwards throbbed like mad until it was relieved with ibuprofen. That was the last I heard from it until this morning. This morning I ran a little over three miles. I knew that my ankle would not be pleased, but once I started I just kept stretching it out and stretching it out. Before I knew it, I was at 3.6 miles, so of course I stretched it out to 3.75. I was rewarded with some serious, limp inducing pain from my ankle for about three minutes. Really, I thought I was going to cry. It didn’t hurt right away, I think it wasn’t speaking to me, but the more I walked during my cool down, the more it throbbed. At one point I considered calling my husband to come get me. And then it sort of backed off, still aching, but not anywhere near as bad. It is a little bit bruised on the inside and a little swollen. I sat for about fifteen minutes with ice on it and felt much better. I was fine until later in the day I had to drive for about an hour. It is my right foot so it is the one I use for gas and breaks. For some reason that made it angry all over again. Presently, I am sitting with it up, wondering if maybe I should just bike for a few days and give it a break.

And here is where the decision process really comes in, and the old me is sneaking up the sidelines. The day after tomorrow is The Fourth of July. We potentially have three parties to attend on three different days, all of which will include adult beverages. My original plan was to pick one and coordinate a planned rest day with the day after the party. Buuuut, if I can’t run anyway, maybe I should just take a longer rest and enjoy all three. I haven’t lost any real weight in over five weeks (maybe two pounds) and it is only three days and it would probably really help my ankle. Although, I don’t think biking is bad for it at all. But then, I am so worried I will lose all progress. That I won’t be able to run again, and I will be back struggling to go a half mile. And it isn’t about the weight, it is about getting stronger. And, except for my ankle, I am getting stronger. A lot stronger.

Maybe if I just give it a some more ice. And buy more ibuprofen.

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