Back on the hills, but was that a good idea?

I was getting withdrawal symptoms when I decided to not run for a bit to spare my sore ankle. If I don't run, I am very dependent on my commute. I have been taking roads with unnecessary verticality to get at least some kicks. I find it really hard at the moment to motivate myself to go biking in the weekend. I should just do it anyway! I have a standard route. I don't have to think too hard about it.

But why not run? The physio had said I could run with this ankle! But I was a little bit hesitant to do that. I take tendons seriously. And the first Thursday after seeing the physio I couldn't run anyway, as I needed to bake a cake. But then there was the second Thursday after seeing the physio. I was itching to run again, especially with the Hill crew!

When we set off I felt it didn't feel very good on my ankle. I was wondering if it would get better along the way; maybe I would just warm up a bit and things would get better? But that didn't really happen. Should I have bailed out? Maybe yes. But I didn't. I knew my ankle was protesting a bit, but I didn't really know how serious that was. Maybe the next morning it would be okay again.

Evening views

After the run I went home. I was tired. And the next morning I woke up and I knew that this was the crucial moment. Would my ankle be okay? And the answer was: no. It was worse than it had been after the 10k! Which I didn't expect, given that I was going full pelt during the 10k. And one does not go full pelt on Thursday. If it's steep up you can't go fast, and if it is steep down you can't go fast. And we especially seek out the steep bits. Of course you can go full speed on the short flat bits, but that would totally not be comparable with going flat out for almost 45 minutes.

I felt very old coming down stairs that Friday. The worst thing for my ankle is bending my foot up, and that is what you do if you walk down the stairs. Walking up you don't have to. 

Next Thursday I can't run, as I am otherwise engaged. I really hope that another two-week break will do my ankle some good! It's very frustrating being so old and so injury-prone. First the knees, and then the ankle. I want to get rid of this issue and just run! But I have to be sensible and play the long game. Wish me luck…