From athlete to gimp

With one clumsy misstep on the stairs, and the snap of a metatarsal bone, I went from athlete to gimp.

It's been tough.  I am in an orthopedic boot. I can walk short distances in the boot, but anything longer and I use my crutches, because I've found that walking too much leads to quite a bit of pain. I am taking ibuprofen 800 mg three times a day, and an occasional Percocet.  My foot is still swollen, but it's not quite the blue swollen mess with five sausage-like toes as of just a few days ago.

Other than a short weight training session, I have not been exercising. I'd love to do some nonweightbearing exercises with the boot on, but even shaking around the foot with the boot in place gets to be uncomfortable. And I am afraid to get in the pool to swim for fear that my unprotected foot will hit a wall, the lane marker, or even my other foot. Even the slightest touch to the foot can be uncomfortable.

It's been six days. I feel different. I definitely feel more tired. I have a lot more free time. I'm trying to free time to good use by reading. I'm also getting more sleep than I did on my typical two workout days.

Then there's the emotional impact of all of this. I envy my friends and teammates who are racing.  I wish I could be out running swimming and biking with them. I fear what will happen to  my body without exercise.  I worked so hard earlier this year to get into the good shape that I am in and I don't want to lose it.  I am trying so hard to eat less so that I don't gain weight.

I am so fortunate to be surrounded by good friends, family, and an incredibly supportive boyfriend.  From coming over and bringing me dinner to taking out my trash cans, or hanging out and watching a redbox movie or just being a sympathetic ear, I couldn't ask to be surrounded by better people.

It takes only six weeks for this fracture to heal, but it feels like an eternity.  And I am trying to be positive. But it's tough.