Injuries at the worst time

Why do they happen at the worst time possible? I am doing my first triathlon on May 27th, and of course, this weekend I twisted my ankle while running. Before this happened, my body had finally decided to accept this foreign thing called running, and I have finally been able to get up to 5 miles and feeling like I could go some more, instead of 3mi and wanting to die at the end.

Anyways, this weekend about 1.5 mile into a 4 mile run, I rolled my ankle pretty bad, but since it was just a dull ache, I went a head and finished up my run. It started to get a little worse that night, so I took an Aleve, iced it, and wrapped it. Monday morning it was still sore, but by that night it felt fine and has since then. I figured it would be fine to go and bike today, but boy was I wrong. I was going great, making better time than I had in a while and having a relatively easy time with first hills, which were mainly of the short and steep variety where I stand up and sprint over. A little later, on one of the long hills that I spin up, my ankle started to get a little sore. The next hill like that, it was pretty bad. I decided to cut the ride short and headed back, had to go in much lower gears, and even with that, I ended up doing a 3 mile one legged drill at the end. And of course, the ankle that I hurt is the stronger one.

I just had to let out a little frustration here, I just don't have time for this. But I'm taking my bike in for it's tune up today so I can keep myself off it for a few days while I heal. Now I just have to hide the running shoes and keep the swim suit in site.

Right there with ya -- I injured my shoulder snowboarding a couple of months ago and am in physical therapy now (rotator cuff, sigh). At this point, I am banned from biking and swimming (along with lifting anything heavy), and had to ask very nicely to even be able to run :)

My best advice is to take some anti-inflammatories (my mother in law, a nurse, recommends Aleve) for a few days to help it heal, ice it for 10-20 minutes at a time (before bed maybe), and take it easy for a bit. Hopefully you'll be good to go -- or at least better :)

Well, I did exactly the same thing.

I was 1 week into my 10-week Tri 101 program and rolled my ankle while I was running. That was February.

The first thing I did was go to a doctor and get x-rays. After the Dr. saw me and said I was OK to run, with a brace... I felt better about training.

I ran with an ankle brace for about 3 weeks, and then decided it really wasn't helping that much and started to run without it.

I also biked with the ankle brace on, but unfortunately I couldn't swim with it on... and it HURT to swim for a good 2-3 weeks. My foot flopping around in the water was not good. And, I couldn't push off the wall with that foot.

Yes, I had pain and swelling... and yes, there was some mild discomfort... but I just went on about my business.

The pain has never really gone away... and when I do something like... running drills... the pain flares up again. It is not accute pain, so I just work through it. Mild pain is just... annoying. And let's face it... doing this sport requires some bit of pain tolerance.

I would strongly suggest that you go to a Dr. and MAKE SURE that you didn't SERIOUSLY injure yourself, before you continue training. There is no reason why you should risk permanent and extended injury.

Good luck, keep us updated.

I am going to take a few days off, and already have the Aleve in me and one session with the ice. I tried to get in to see my doctor after I rolled it, but of course they said they couldn't get me in for over a week. Figures, huh? Maybe I should just walk in and refuse to leave until they see me :D

I'm usually pretty good with pain (I kept training and showing horses through a broken arm and 2 surgeries and a broken foot), and this wasn't bad at all until the second 1/2 of the ride, then it just got to be too much. For some reason, though, walking and running really doesn't bother it, and I thought it would be the opposite. We'll see about swimming tomorrow.

I am sorry about your ankle. I hope it makes a speed recovery.

For what it is worth, I understand your frustration. My season's first tri is next week and I have a respiratory infection and probably won't be able to do it. :mad:

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Originally Posted by Lifesgreat

For what it is worth, I understand your frustration. My season's first tri is next week and I have a respiratory infection and probably won't be able to do it. :mad:

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I'm so sorry about your infection. Maybe you'll have a miraculous (sp?) recovery and be able to do it.

I'm sure I'll be fine and able to do my tri, it's just frustrating since I have no tests this week, but 2 next week, so I needed to take most of that week off and train hard this one. Oh well, what happens, happens.