Well… this past week was a time of highs and lows. The short version is that Saturday morning, while setting up for WordCamp Buffalo, I twisted my foot. Actually, I fell off the side of my shoe. It was an accident, but I’ve been so careful and hindsight tells me that sneakers would have been a better choice over my comfy Dansk can wear and walk forever shoes. Next time.

The sound my foot made when it twisted gave me the willies. Encouragement soared because there was no immediate sharp pain. It hurt… a lot, especially when I was standing on it (of course… right) but no something-broke, sharp, stabbing pain. The skin was intact but sore. Could move my toes and foot, it just really hurt. Hopefully a strain or sprain.

Of course, WordCamp is a lot of running around and my session was 30 minutes away… Life’s just like that sometimes…

Between the pain and seeing this goal we’ve been focused on all summer (really much longer) disappear, I was crushed. Thankfully, I had to shift gears and talk about the WordPress Template Hierarchy. The start was a little shaky, but think I pulled it together.
The problem was that I’m one of those people who can’t sit still, unless I’m asleep…
Presenting means much pacing and the pain spiraled. I was so glad when we wrapped. But I loved the topic and the great questions and the crowd, a strange dichotomy. Honestly, I don’t remember much about the presentation – other than wishing it was over while wanting to keep going. Thankfully, the feedback was positive, so autopilot worked and I didn’t waste the attendees time.

The hard part about sports is that one second can make or break you… one second, even BEFORE your take the field/track/course. That you’re dependent on your body, on humanity. On any given day…

Thankfully I immediately iced and had the help of a friend with a compression sleeve before running home for a quick wrap, shoe change and Aleve. My heart plummeted seeing the swelling and bruising and then as the pain increased through the afternoon. I was crushed… until Eldest called and had a coaching session. Remember, I’m not a life-long athlete. I’ve talked about how hard it is to gauge an injury when tendonitis hit last January. Is it a show stopper or simply a few days of inactivity? Well, the more I do, the easier it is to gauge. This I have no idea.

Eldest gave me some great advice. As soon as I could, RICE. Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate. He helped me to remember that it was taper time anyway and to not pay so much attention because one injury will make other aches seem larger. It made sense to stay off of it and see where I’m at in a couple of days, to see if anything else is needed. Thinking(hoping) it’s just a strain or a sprain. that rest will tidy up.

Opted out of the after party because it was at a really cool place (WNY Book Arts Center) unfortunately with few seats. It would have been much easier to focus on something else, not my foot and the next seven days. Needed more ice, Aleve and sitting. A very good choice.

Yesterday was mostly off my feet… omg this is so hard. There is so much to do.

Priorities.

Hoping that by doing what I need to do will get me to the finish line Saturday.

Ohhh… the humanity that is running life.

Keep your fingers crossed for me and I’ll keep an amazingly positive attitude (and stay off my foot).

~ The Good Patient!