Break point.
Set point.
We came back from 4-2 down. It was 5-4 to us, 30-40, and I was receiving.
It was a competitive game, it felt important to take this chance. A moment or two later, nothing could be less important.
Paddy played a great shot into the corner of the padel court behind me. As I moved quickly to dodge the ball first, then position myself for the rebound off the wall. It was reflexive, aiming to return the shot any way I could.
I ducked, leapt, swiped, clipped my knee with the racket whilst airborne in a Keanu Reeves’s Matrix move (this is my story, I get to shape it).
There was no graceful landing.
I heard a snap straight away. The ankle couldn’t bear the load on impact.
Break point turned into Breaking Point.
Then the pain surged. Dramatic footballer scenes followed. I’d hate to see a video of it!
I felt nauseous. Apparently I was ashen faced.
Feeling the cold after I don’t know how long on the ground, I wanted to get up. The lads helped me off the court and that’s when I knew it was more than a sprain. The snap sound replayed in my mind. Any movement in any direction hurt. Fearful thoughts…
…then….Optimistic thoughts….
It could all calm down shortly. Maybe this is a moment of drama I’ll be slagged about for years to come.
Ciara collected me and we decided to head home and reassess. Paddy followed and helped me out of the car.
We all knew pretty quickly that I needed to get this seen to. No sleeping it off. No waiting for swelling to go down.
There was a trace of blood seeping through my white sock, and something felt wrong. My whole body felt a strange dissonance – it/I was shaken, not just my ankle.
After a quick trip to Laya Healthcare, I ended up in St Vincent’s. X-rays in both places confirmed a double break and displacement.
As I write this on Wednesday morning, I am waiting for surgery.
A couple of plates and pins will sort it all out!
Funny how so much can change in an instant (which I actually mentioned a couple of weeks ago).
On Tuesday morning, I had drafted a six week training plan to build fitness and strength ahead of a tough trek in January. And then an outline plan for the following 12 weeks, as part of the Dare to Explore expedition.
That’ll all look a bit different now. But if I can make the trip to Morocco in June, I will be there.
Renewed focus.
And renewed fresh perspective.
I’ve always described hospitals as awful places though. Last night I was surrounded by people in far more distress than me. Some terrified. Some deeply unwell. Some troubled.
My heart goes out to them.
This morning I was charmed and encouraged by the kindness and humour of staff and patients alike.
Life turns quickly. We all know that. But when it actually happens, you realise how much you take for granted. Mobility. Strength. Plans. Routines. All the things that make up a normal week.
This too shall pass.
You deal with what is in front of you. You do what you can. And you stay grateful for what you have.
Thank God I got an early Christmas lunch with friends in last Friday!