Old Habits Die Hard

The long snow thaw I had anticipated was dispelled by an unexpected week of warm weather. The snow melted in early to mid March which is much earlier than usual; especially surprising considering the large accumulation of snow. I'm quite pleased that everything is clear now, and the weather has been 45-70 lately, which is great for outdoor running. My training progressed slowly through March and the beginning of April as the sore spot on my left foot kept me from doing anything too long or fast. With some more research, I think it might be bursitis and not a bunion. Bursitis is an inflamed bursa (a sac or pad that develops to lessen impact) but by being more conscious of my running form and trying not to favor the outside of my left foot, the discomfort is gone for most part. Just when I was thinking I could start ramp up to a 10 mile+ run I got a rude reminder: my ankles suck, especially in my old running shoes. I went out to play disc golf a couple of days ago with some friends I haven't seen in 4 to 5 years and afterward we played hacky sack as a throwback to our youth. Long story short I came down wrong on my right ankle and now I'm going to be off my feet for a week or two. I heard a popping or snapping sound, but I don't think anything is broken though, because I can still put some weight on it to hobble around. The incident has reinforced what I already know: shoes are magnets for ankle/foot twists. Its like wearing cinder blocks on your feet and if the block comes down on edge, it might roll the wrong way and take your leg with it. That's the last time I'm playing hacky sack, that's for sure.

As discouraging as it is, I think the sprain is not quite as bad as I initially thought it might be, because the swelling and pain is more in my forefoot than the ankle itself. I can move the ankle forward and back without discomfort; side to side and supporting weight is more difficult. I will hit the bike for my running workouts until I get back on it. I've got plenty of time before I need to get serious about training again.