Sometimes you have to fly like an eagle… or at least try to get yourself up off the ground.

On day #38 after badly spraining my ankle, I could not take the seemingly eternal days of no running any longer. Eight days after my second visit to the orthopedic doctor, in which he said, “I don’t recommend any impact exercises for three more weeks,” I was eager to get moving. With 13 physical therapy appointments under my belt and with huge progress made, I was ready to step out and test the ankle. It was time to fly.

I found out about a 5K cross country race at a park in Morris Plains, which is not far from my home. The price was right, only 10 bucks. The weather was gorgeous, low humidity. So, I tested the ol’ ankle out by running, very gingerly, back and forth on the driveway. It didn’t feel too bad. I decided to go to the race.

Here is what was driving me. A few months back, I signed up for my first 50K trail race. I’ve been psyched for this big time. That race is now only 10 days away. It’s a 10 mile loop in the woods near Rockaway, NJ. I signed up for 3 loops. My thinking was, if I can successfully, however slowly, run a 5K at this point, MAYBE I could do at least one 10 mile loop in 10 days. No, I don’t mean it will take me 10 days to go 10 miles. You know what I mean. This 5K was my test which would enable me to make my go/no go decision for the bigger race.

I am more than happy to report that the decision is: GO! My performance in the 5K was satisfactory. The pain level was bearable. I compensated for my compromised ankle by shortening my stride and slowing my pace. I was able to run the first two miles steadily. After that point I had to walk several seconds a handful of times. I finished the race at 31:02 and I wasn’t last! After all was said and done, my ankle was no worse for wear. I went home and iced. The next morning it felt better than the previous day.

After running the 5K, I would say that this injury has 1.) made me more mindful of my form, and 2.) increased my focus while running. To the first point, I had to keep my form as correct as possible (good posture, engaged core, no heel strikes, etc.) in order to run at all with this weakened ankle. To the second point, I could not afford in mishaps due to carelessness. The ankle is still tender. I knew that tripping on a root or a stone, or slipping on gravel could bring me down. I knew I was taking a risk. Increased focus made that risk manageable.

I wasn’t exactly flying like an eagle in this race. But I did manage to test my wings a bit. And I got an awesome selfie with a gigantic eagle. I wasn’t quite ready to soar yet. But I did get off the ground for a bit. Mission accomplished.