Life is what happens when you make other plans

Guten Tag! 

Glad to be able to still get around...

What an interesting and challenging few weeks Mike and I have had!  After finding that I actually broke my ankle (lateral malleolus fracture) in a training crash at the World Cup in Quebec, Mike and I had some serious refiguring to do…  Despite the emotional roller coaster, there were many new logistics we needed to figure.  What were we going to do?  With races planned, airline tickets bought, RV rental arranged, ferry tickets booked, focused training for months in full effect… dang,  to have the rug pulled out from under us, so to speak, threw us for a loop/belly flop.  I could hobble around but I was surly not going to be able to race the world cups that I was so carefully planning my energy and time around.  It was very disappointing to not be able to perform at the races as I had hoped to.  

Ice bath for me...

Despite the stress of spending 6 hours in the ER the night before with me, Mike had a strong performance at the World Cup in Mont Ste Anne!

I have a tendency to quickly look to the positive to see how I can move forward or sideways, because there are always positive things to focus on…  Perhaps I would now have time to catch up with some of the lingering office duties I have not had time for?   Mostly I felt very lucky that the injury was not bad - no surgery, cast or even crutches.   The doctor said 6 weeks until complete healing - and I am imagining being well enough in 5 weeks to race the World Championships in Norway… and to be healthy and strong for some exciting late season races.  I can always hope, but the reality of my situation is to be revealed one day at a time…  

I am hoping the first 2 weeks have been the most difficult.  The pain was telling me to STAY OFF my ankle and elevate it.  Not only broken, but also the other strain of the ligaments and tendons from rolling it has been pretty painful, stiff, swollen, purple.  We decided the best place to be was home - despite the busy bee in me trying to keep on top of kitchen duties, laundry, etc, I have spent the past 2 weeks in a chair with my leg up.  It throbbed, it ached, it needed to be iced, heated, rubbed with oils and tiger balm.   Wrapped, supported, moved and stretched.  It was amazing how much time my new part time job of caring for my injury took.  I aim to do everything I can to recover to my full potential as quickly as possible.    Setting my goal to maintain my fitness and be ready to race for world championships will be a big challenge.

Focused on range of motion has helped speed my recovery

Spinning on the trainer...

Days after the injury I got back to some semblance of my workout routine.  I could still do sit ups and push ups and many of my yoga moves.  I could ride the stationary trainer, but after 30 minutes… I felt I needed to stop.  Doc said I could ride with a special ankle stabilizing brace up to pain tolerance, so I have been carefully listening to the pain, no longer masking it with ibuprofen.  Soon, after a week, I was able to go outside and ride smooth surfaced roads and trails on my bike, up to 90 minutes - but not able to put much if any pressure down.  I have needed to use flat pedals because the sideways motion of clicking out of my pedals hurts.   

Stoked to be out riding!  And envisioning improving my pedal stroke and technique with flat pedals.

I am grateful my recovery is going well… but will still take more time and careful consideration.  Being patient with the process and being realistic about our goals is where we are now.  Since the healing time should be relatively quick, we decided to continue with our plan to go to Europe.  

This guy - my rock - has been an incredible support!  So glad to share this epic journey together!

We made it to Germany and the travel here went smooth, despite my condition and us bringing more than usual oversized luggage.   We are packed into the RV once again, enjoying a few days in our host town, Ingolstadt, where the quiet bike paths and beautiful countryside are the perfect medicine for us right now.  I was especially psyched to go out for a 50 mile road ride (on mountain bikes) with Mike, without pain and it felt good to push the pedals a little!  So almost 3 weeks post injury I am feeling the small increments of improvement each day, and the simple act of just spinning my bike outside makes me so happy - it is like I am free again!

Next stop, Eurobike!  Looking forward to catching up with many of our great partners and seeing what exciting things the bike industry will be turning out for 2015…

Hope you are all managing to keep a positive outlook too… despite the many challenges life brings!

Wir wünschen euch einen wunderbaren tag!  (wishing you a wonderful day!)

Mary and Mike

Team KENDA-Stan's NoTubes 

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