Our plan was simple. Let’s run Powderface Ridge then hang out a bit more at Iron Legs.
However if you follow this blog you know that even my simplest plans have a knack for taking unexpected turns (figuratively and literally).
Just three kilometres from the end, we were cruising through a pleasant stretch of trail when a gopher hole seemingly appeared out of nowhere, snagging my left foot.
I heard a “snap” and I immediately starting cursing between “ouch ouch ouch’ before hobbling to the side of the trail to have a bit of a cry. What a buzz kill. Erin and I had a lovely morning volunteering then heading up Powderface.
I couldn’t really run after I rolled my ankle so I painfully and slowly walked down. I iced the foot at the aid station for the race then later the medic for the race taped up my foot. We thought it was just a bad sprain.
However at 4 the next morning, I was awakened to searing pain and confronted with an ankle twice its size so I knew it was time to see a doctor.
I drove to Cochrane Urgent Care where the doctor confirmed my ankle was broken – avulsion fractures tip of lateral malleolus and lateral aspect of the talus. In plain English – the side of my ankle. I was fitted with an Aircast that I was instructed to wear 24/7 – even sleeping. Instructions: rest and stay off my feet.
What have I been doing with my broken ankle?
I’d like to say I have been somewhat productive – reading or writing or all the things I neglect when I am in the mountains every weekend. Thankfully we are now living in a streaming world. To pass the time, I have been marathoning Game of Thrones and Succession. Time does fly when you are streaming Netflix and Crave.
Seriously it’s been okay to slow down slightly. I don’t want to do anything that is going to extend my recovery.
Wearing an Aircast to protect my broken ankle
Remember those old sneakers that you could “pump up” Air Jordans? That’s what I think about when I pump up my Air cast. Besides looking super cool, an Air cast basically keeps your foot snug and promotes healing. Admittedly it took a few days to get used to it but now I walk around with my own brand of comical relief for those who see me.
I have to say I am very surprised at the unbelievably kind and caring reactions I am getting from strangers when I am out and about. People have gone out of their way to talk to me about my foot or to offer words of encouragement in passing. (This is on top of the usual – you go ahead of me in line kind of thing. ) Who knew?
How’s my mental health?
Quite frankly I am fine. It’s definitely a bummer because I am deep in my annual vert challenge and I am 5 mountains away from completely my 23 new mountain challenge in 2023. Them the brakes (ha ha) as they say. It could have been a lot worse and I could be out for months. (I won’t be. Knock on wood.)
To be honest. The only real annoying this is explaining how I broke my ankle. It’s not a cool story. I broke my ankle running downhill on a nice patch of trail and not on some rocky, technical bit or on a fun, narrow ridge. Nope. A gopher hole.