As much as I wish I were a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal, I’m not.  I’m a planner, a plotter, a strategist.  Following a schedule, especially when it comes to marathon training, makes me feel (somewhat) secure and as though I have some sense of control over what is coming.  So it really is not at all surprising that this training injury has me tailspinning into inner chaos.  I hurt myself doing what I was supposed to do, and now I can’t do what is necessary in order to finish preparing for this event.  I could run on a swollen ankle, but it wouldn’t be wise.  I should be tapering, but not sitting sedentary.  SHOULD-A, WOULD-A, COULD-A.  What I really need is a… mind numbing stiff drink or a fast healing ankle transplant backup plan.

I kept my scheduled training appointment with Heather both because she promised to work around my injury, and since I otherwise would have spent the day on the couch feeling sorry for myself.  (I’m not sure if this setback has been harder on me or my family.)  I’m aware that my fall could have been much worse.  Imagine if I broke a bone, got run over by a cyclist or the absolute worst thing possible- face planted!  I’ve mentioned that I’m a little on the vain side and while it probably would have made me look bad-ass, I’d prefer not to be seen around town (or in marathon pictures) with a messed-up, bruised and scabby face.  So yes, I got off easy as far as injuries go and I should really shut up about it already, except that I can’t.  Not knowing what to do with myself to maintain fitness and not physically digress in these days leading up to the marathon, is driving me bonkers.

Today’s session was the equivalent of being taken by the shoulders and shaken in to sensibility, but in a great way.  Heather kindly yet firmly laid it out for me- if I don’t want to make my ankle worse, I am not to run for the next week.  Easier said than done, but entirely possible when presented as a plan!  Immediately my spirits lifted as she helped me to craft replacement workouts for my upcoming prescribed miles.  Spinning instead of running, seated strength training- all kinds of out of the running box options to keep my leg muscles from atrophying and turning to mush before October 6th.  I would-a jumped and clicked my heels together if I could-a, but instead I limped back to reality high on endorphins and strategy.