it's not luck

I've finally got in to the new physio who is a) not leaving town, or so she says, b) kind and c) straightforward, and got the (ahem) good oil (as it were) on my poor sad ankle.  It seems that becuase I couldn't get anyone to listen to me or help me with how to look after it while we found out what was wrong with it ( will resolve in 6-12 weeks, no appointment necessary anyone? BASTARDS), I now have ligament damage as a result of the untreated fracture not being immobilised.
Short version part 1: minimum 8 weeks before I can think about starting to run again.
Short version part 2: ....whimper.....sniffle....
Long version:
Step 1- strap it and stay off it like it was my job for 8 days then go back to the physio to see if that helps.If it doesn't,
Step 2 - 2 weeks in a boot to try and settle things down. If that doesn't work
Step 3 - don't think about step 3.
The physio remarked it's lucky you've got swimming and your bike on the roller and your strength and core work to do. I regret to say that my rather curt rejoinder was it's not luck, mate. It's work. The stuff I have put in place is there becuase no matter how dismal and despairing and frightened and abandoned I might feel, I will Do What I (physically and emotionally) Can. I Will Not Give Up (or not for any great length of time anyway).
I am sad. Sad, gutted, forlorn, despairing. These emotions will pass, I know, but until they do...

WHAT NOT TO SAY TO AN INJURED ATHLETE, especially one who has just had bad news
NB These are all actual things people have thought appropriate to say. I have added my (mostly) unspoken reactions for your reading pleasure. The LBTEPA Publishing Division would like to assure readers that no capital letters were harmed in the writing of ths post.)

I told you exercise was bad for you, and you can't even drown your sorrows LOL
IF I HADN'T KNOWN YOU FOR 25 YEARS YOU WOULD SO BE UNFRIENDED
You still get to go to Queensland, and you'll come back refreshed!
NOTE TO SELF: DON'T OPEN UP TO THIS PERSON AGAIN
There's always Pilates you know
That'll fill the void. not.
You just have to see this in a more positive way
NO. I. DON'T.
We all have our little setbacks in life
THANKS FOR TOTALLY FAILING TO COMPREHEND ANYTHING I WAS SAYING
There's always next year's marathon
NO SH*T SHERLOCK. I WAS TRAINING FOR THIS ONE
Well at least you can still swim
OF COURSE I CAN F***ING SWIM. IF I WANTED TO SWIM I WOULD SWIM
I don't know why you want to run anyway, I hate running
I HATE YOU
Do you think your body is trying to tell you something?
YES, TO PUNCH YOU IN THE FACE. I TRIPPED OVER A PIECE OF CONCRETE WHILE I WAS BUYING PRAWNS YOU MORON
Have you thought about what you'd do if you could never run again?
WHY ARE YOU SAYING THIS TO ME?

Look, I know that in the big scheme of things this is extremely minor. No-one has died, no-one is hungry or homeless or has cancer or lost her job. But it's my lost self and lost joy and my grief. If I can give you one thing to take away from this post, it would be this: don't tell other people how they should feel. You are more than welcome to have any sort of opinion about how valid their feelings are and what la-las they are with their lame first world problems (not that any of my five faithful readers would harbour such unkind notions) but keep them to yourself. Nothing says I'm not listening to you louder than you'll feel better when you (do what I say/agree with me). And nothing will make the person feel more lonely and as though no-one understands.

WHAT TO SAY TO AN INJURED ATHLETE
Oh no. That's awful.
How are you coping? (only say this if you actually want to know. The athlete will be so overwhelmed at your understanding and sensitivity s/he may actually tell you, and this could take quite some time).

But out of the darkest clouds comes the silverest lining, and you will be very proud indeed to note that I remained steaddfast to my vow of abstinence* despite what even the harshest critic would describe as rather provoking circumstances. On the way home from the physio I drove past a pub; my knuckles may have tightened slightly on the wheel, but I kept on going! Go me!

More anon, tiger-tamers!

*If you did feel inclined to sponsor me for Dry July, please click on the logo in my sidebar. It's for a great cause. Thanks!