Exactly 5 months ago today things changed dramatically for me when I tore my left Achilles tendon.  On my 5 month anniversary, I threw out the shoes I was wearing on that day.  I probably keep shoes too long and my wife even told me that I needed new ones, but I guess I’m just frugal (or cheap?) when it comes to buying new shoes.  I foresee this changing in the future.

My shoes sat in the shoe rack and I haven’t worn the left one since that day (the right one I wore a time or two while on crutches.)

So - looking back.

This has been the worst injury I’ve had, mentally, physically and emotionally.  The first few months of my ankle swelling in my cast were extremely painful.  Getting the boot was so welcome!  Sleeping out of the boot was SCARY.  My first shower with no boot was double scary.  Transitioning to two shoes - yikes!  Some of it is starting to seem like forever ago, while it sometimes seems like yesterday as well.

Present.

I can’t view this thing day by day, but have to look at it month by month.  One month ago today, I was walking very very slowly and deliberately.  Now my limp is starting to slowly disappear.  I’m also seeing an athletic trainer 2x a month for a workout program.  I’ve only seen him once but like the exercises he’s given me.  He’s also got me on a couch to 5k type program.  Jogging again feels liberating even though I always hated it.  I’m not fast at 4.2-4.6 MPH but it feels like I’m FLYING!!!

Future.

Darn single heel raise!! Why do you evade me!  I’m getting closer and closer everyday and for the most part, it does get easier with a few days of super soreness which tells me I overdid it the day before.  Also in the future, jumping (plyometrics) and running, although I think I’m a ways off from that, still looking forward to it.

Concern.

I have a lot of fatigue.  Almost to the point where I’m taking a nap everyday or really struggle to stay awake.  I go to the gym in the morning 4 days a week for 1 to 1.5 hours and by noon/1pm I’m really dragging and can hardly stay awake.  I don’t feel like I’m really doing a ton at the gym to make me this tired though.  Has anyone else had what they would consider an abnormal amount of fatigue / excessive tiredness?  Even on my day of no gym/rest, I’m dragging it seems.

Hope everyone is healing well.  For the newbies, sorry you had to join us, but it does get better!!