Cross Country Mom Woes – The Best Laid Plans

As I blogged over the weekend, one things that is keeping me sane right now during the second wave of Covid-19 regulations is walking every morning while Rosie is at unofficial Cross Country Practices. I’ve slowly moved away from my daily sessions with the elliptical machine and moved on to the great outdoors, tackling hills, trails, and distance. Sometimes I walk with friends. Most days I walk with my phone and a book on Audible. Sometimes I listen to Ave Maria Radio and Al Kresta. Considering that two years ago my knee was so swollen and painful with osteoarthritis that I could barely get across the room, I’m pretty proud of my 3+ miles per hour and ability to tackle some pretty hilly courses.

Rosie has had her own share of things to overcome. Last year after the first race, her gluteus medius started to act up. This is quite common in girl runners as their hips widen during adolescence. But she did overcome it, got stronger and ran and worked out all winter long, only to be denied a track season because of Covid-19. and the schools being shut down.

Still she persevered. She ran a few times a week with her brother and many other times I drove her to the trail or to the track so that she could get a workout in. She was looking really good and strong, full of confidence. Then the week before Cross Country Season was to unofficially start, she sprained her ankle – hard.

There was nothing to do but elevate, ice and rest and the spend time cross training. After about three weeks, she was slowly running with the team again and was starting to knock seconds off her time at practices.

Until today.

Rosie was running with her friends. She stepped on uneven ground, turned her ankle, and heard a POP! Apparently she turned the tendon in her ankle so violently that she actually pulled a bit of bone away from the fibula. It doesn’t look as bad as it feels, but it means she won’t be running for four weeks or so.

As a mom, this is not the worst running injury my kids have had. I’ve been through worse with a kid. But for Rosie to have another setback so soon, and after losing a season through no fault of her own, is just devastating for her, and vicariously for me too. It’s hard to see my girl so sad.

There were blessings to this though. For one, the girls stayed right beside her to offer comfort and support until I could get there. I was so impressed with their maturity. This was sportsmanship personified!

All of the parents and coaches have been super supportive and kind as well. I just feel super blessed to be part of this team.

Tomorrow I’ll awaken at 6 a.m. and wonder what to do with my new, new normal. Rosie will rest her leg and probably do an arm or ab workout. Life will go one.

But right now, with everything else going on in the country right now, this set back sort of stings.