Hurdles

"Next ankle sprain and we send you for an MRI. I am concerned that your tendon may lose its connectivity and we'll have to check it."

My wife had to comfort me for a couple hours after my physical therapist made that statement. To a runner, those words were like a sledge hammer pounding through my granite will.  My goals suddenly seemed in jeopardy.

"If I can't run trail, I won't run at all"  were words I've said on numerous occasions...and flashed in front of me  Do I really mean it?  If I can't run, what will I do with myself.  Heather has already learned, I am a real SoB when I take time off.  I need a milestone to go after. The fear of going where runners go after retirement,  the road bike, was flashing warning signs.  I need to do something to elongate my ultra running career.  Missing out on WS100 is like missing your own graduation.  Putting years of training and building a legion of coherts - can't end because of an ankle sprain, can it? 

My physical therapist suggested I pick up an ankle brace from CVS.  I had several therapist suggest the same back in August.  I avoided it, for fear that it would cause an issue during the run, primarily blisters.  This time, I went out immediately and have worn it for several days now.  Against PT orders, I even jogged a few feet to see if the brace inhibits my running gait. I am thrilled to report, this brace doesn't appear to hinder me one bit,  and provides solid lateral stability.  Final test will be on a grass run in a week. 

The bike purchase can wait...