So the weather has been beautiful here lately. On Sat. I decided to take Windy running down the riverwalk. It was our first official run of the season and we were both loving it. She's a really good running partner normally, stays right near me with the leash slack between us. She had a couple dips in the river and was insanely joyous. We ran up a leaf-strewn trail that went up a ridge quite easily. I made a point to constantly watch the ground a few feet ahead to spot any trouble. I really respect how potentially dangerous running on uneven ground can be. On the way back down we were near the end of the trail when we saw 3 guys walking up. They stepped off the trail for us to pass, Windy balked as we approached, but ran ahead at my urging. Something spooked her after we passed and she lunged off into the woods. My foot slipped on the leaves and I took a terrific tumble. I fell to the left and my right ankle turned under and rotated onto the top of my foot. In my mind it felt like my ankle dislocated and my weight landed on my legbones. Not truly what happened, but that's what it felt like. Most of the rest was just scrapes and mud streaks on my shins and forearms. I had to sit on a rock for about 5 minutes rocking back and forth until the pain subsided enough to walk again. I saw my ankle already swelling over the lip of my shoe.
Unfortunately I was about 1.5 miles from my car, but at least it was on the paved path. By the time I got to the car I was able to walk with barely a limp. I went home and plunged my ankle in a bucket of ice water (better than putting ice on it), then bound and elevated it. Been pushing 800 mg of ibuprofen too. But today my foot looks like a zombie limb. 
The entire area between my ankle bone and the bottom of my foot is purple/grey, thick and hard, with shiny skin on it. My whole foot is swollen, grey, and my toes look fat. There's a pinpoint bruise behind my ankle bone that I think was an internal point of impact, and some bruising runs up my leg a few inches. Nothing's broken, but it's pretty ugly just the same.What sucks most (other than my lack of mobility) is just how long this is going to take to heal. Ever since I started running I've been pleased how strong my previously-weak ankles seemed to be. Running is clearly out for the next month or so, as is the aerobics class I've started taking. I'm hoping swimming doesn't hurt too much, or maybe the elliptical machines will be ok soon. Grah!
