Aagh me ankle

Last Saturday was a fairly inocuous weekend day. Milling around doing family stuff then a late afternoon trail run to break the legs back into training for my upcoming half marathon after the OMM (well semi-OMM due it being cancelled). I drove to a nearby country park with some lovely hilly pine tree lined trails and headed off feeling sprightly in the slight drizzle of rain. Up the first slope then gently down amidst a lovely tree grove, through a fence then crunch aaagh and I had to sit down urgently. An effing tree root. I'd went over on my right ankle badly and could only sit there growling loudly, clutching at my ankle as what seemed like an endless series of waves of pain washed over me.

Arse, I've broken it I thought. My right ankle you see has been the site of a fair few 'over on the ankle' injuries after I tore ligaments and muscle badly in 2o01 in an off piste telemark ski-ing accident 4 miles from the nearest road, 10 miles from the nearest town, 3000' up a mountain in -17C in the arctic circle in late February with less than 2 hours of light and therefore relative er warmth left (as you do). My ankle has been a little floppy since then as they never really recover from ligament tears.

After about 3 minutes of writhing the pain began to subside and I began to wonder how will I get the 1/2 mile back to my car. Do I wander a further 300m to a conveniently located but quite possibly closed British Legion club, try to hobble back myself or just sit and wait, hoping for some sort of rescue. I opted for number 2 and gently got myself to my feet, testing the mobility of my foot when I was steady. Full movement waahoo, not broken so I hobbled away, taking 20 minutes to cover the distance, some sort of record surely.


Off to A&E to check for breakage I was amazed to have luckily hit a real lull and was processed with x-ray in an hour. Anterior talofibular ligament (the one in front of ankle joint) tear but no bone issues. Good news in one sense but 4 weeks (ha that'll be right) off running I was advised.




My large et puffy ankle about 2 hours post injury

The swelling has already almost subsided in a bout of amazing healing, but there's bruising down to my toes now. I'll hang off the running this week and next, but try a few exercise bike sessions next week instead. I need to work off the calories you see in preparation for the upcoming England vs Australia rugby match at Twickenham on the 15th November. I've been invited into a corporate hospitality box for the day with a champagne and canapies starting at 11:15am, then nice 3 course lunch, match then open bar. Great!


As a Scot married to a Queenslander, do you think I'll be supporting the home team?