Nothing throws a wrench into my system more than an injury.
Except a backed up sewer pipe, an overflowing washing machine, a toilet that rises instead of flushes and a tub full of sludge and muck.

That was the story of my weekend. I missed the North Atlantic Blues Festival and a band called the Pub Crawlers because not only was I knee deep in crap (literally), but I broke my right big toe. In the midst of the melee here at the Quarry House, running up my basement stairs to fetch a 20 gallon muck bucket to catch water from one of my clean-out traps, I fell. More like my toe caught a cement step, crushed itself, then I fell.

I invented many new curse words immediately following. Even more so the next day when all I wanted to do was toss my kayak onto my roof and go for a paddle. You never realize just how much you use something — until you can’t use it anymore.

So then my dilemma started. How would I play softball? I’m a short fielder, I need to be able to move and quickly. I’m one of two strong female hitters (and runners) on my team. How the hell am I going to swing when I pivot on my right foot? When I lead off with my right foot? Just thinking about that pound, pound, pound my foot does when I sprint bases made my toe throb.

Solution? Apparently I’m on the DL list… at least until playoffs in a few weeks.

Next dilemma: Working out. How do you work out with an injury? Not just a foot one, but any of them? Easy: Work around it. Adapt. Find which moves, machines, etc., will accomplish what it is you’re trying to achieve without using the injured muscle/body part.

Sometimes it’s not really that easy. There are times you’ve injured something (hamstring, shoulder, knee…) and you actually have to lay off working out that entire region of your body. Focus on your arms, chest, back and core if you’re injured from the waist down or vice versa.

The key to working out injured is to think smart. Keep it simple. Sure you’re an animal in the gym and you have an “image” to uphold, or maybe you’re like me and that pride and determination runs just a little too deep. But seriously, BE SMART. Otherwise you’re going to hurt yourself more, and worse. Then you’re up the creek without a paddle, and you’re little boat is taking on water — fast. You’ll do something so bad, that you won’t be able to work out anymore at all. Then where will you be?

Exactly.

If you’re injured and you’re not sure what you can and can’t do, and don’t trust yourself to know the limitations, do your research. And I’m not talking the good ole interweb either. Talk to doctors who specialize in the area that’s injured. Go to a physical or occupational therapist. They’ll be able to get you on the path to what works until you’re healed.

And it doesn’t hurt to invest in some Kinesio tape either. Read about the amazingness of that here.

Smart + Simple = Safe.