Gymnastics is fraught with risk. Anyone who participates knows this. Once in a while, the risk catches up with you. No matter how careful you are, sometimes you break yourself. This is the start of another long road to recovery.
December 15, 2024
I rise and shine, ready for another Sunday FUNday at Flipper’s Gymnastics. This has become my fortress of solitude in recent years.
I picked out my leotard, a more recent acquisition. It’s a black and white leo with silver sparkles and a cute triple diamond cutout on the back. It makes me feel like Simone Biles, especially with the matching scrunchie for my ponytail. I layered my blue Flipper’s sweats over my workout gear. They keep me super warm as I prepare for my morning workout.
This Sunday morning routine has been part of my happy head space for many years. No matter what, I look forward to this activity all week. Regardless of the weather, my mood or physical state, it remains the highlight. I have a special community of like-minded adults and we share this little corner of our worlds together.
Getting started
The workout started the same as usual. I opened up the gym, turned on the heat, and started my warm-up exercises. I used my stretchy bands and low weight shoulder mobility work. I focused a little more on squatting because my left patellar tendon had been bothering me. I knew I had to give that some attention so as not to cause further injury.
I moved to my usual trampoline basics to get everything warm and ready for more challenge. I must spend ample time on the warmup process. It has kept me safe and strong all this time, so I try not to skimp on that time.
All of my progressions felt good, and I went to the TumblTrak to test my back tucks and back handsprings. This year, I have been slowly gaining more confidence on TumblTrak. I’ve been hurt there so many times over the years. The most recent one was in August 2023 when I broke my right foot landing a round-off back tuck. It took six months to get back to “gym normal.”
Read the first Sometimes You Break Yourself series for that road to healing.
Despite managing a ton of Lizard Brain fear, I had gained a lot of skills over the last year.
I finally connected the round off-back handspring-back tuck combination on the trampoline. I started connecting the round off back handspring successfully on the TumblTrak with the manual belt giving me more confidence. Things have been feeling really good. My past injuries had been quiet. No foot problems, no shoulder problems, no hip problems. I’ve been focusing on building strength and mobility all year, and it had been working.
Once again, I put on the manual belt with Tammy and Kwesi by my side. I chucked the first one, and it felt good. The next several were good, with tiny variances in the takeoffs and landings. But they felt good – no tweaks or pains anywhere.
Things change in a moment
On the last attempt that ended my blessed Sunday FUNday, I felt a pop behind my right ankle. It was like I had bumped into something when I landed. I was so confused, because there was literally nothing to run into. I stood up straight, and tried to figure out what the hell had happened. Then I realized, I couldn’t move my right foot. In that moment, I thought, did I just rupture my Achilles tendon???
A slew of inappropriate words flooded my brain.
A wave of anger rushed over me. I sat down, my buddies got some ice, elevated my foot, and everything stopped.
Everyone rushed to my side. They sat there, staring at me with worried faces, wanting to help and not wanting to be in the way. That was a terrible feeling; everyone’s workout was interrupted. It was a sobering moment that I wanted to take back immediately and send them back to their workout plans.
At the same time, I have to say that the wave of community support in adult gymnastics is outstanding. We all feel each other’s pain. These things happen in an instant and we know that any one of us that could suffer an injury. Many of us have done so in less spectacular ways.
The thing that annoyed me the most was that there was absolutely no warning. I had no pain leading up to the snap. Everything was working fine for the four previous attempts. Then BAM – everything changed. Literally everything.
Next steps
Sitting there, I had to think about next steps. Clearly, I’d need to be seen by a medical professional. I swallowed my pride and called my husband. It’s the phone call I hate making the most. While he’s so supportive, I know he is always worried every time I go to the gym. This was not the news I wanted to share with him. But, he was the only person I wanted to be by my side while I was dealing with this mess.
Fortunately, the ER was not busy. I was in and out in less than two hours. The X-ray showed no breaks. That was the extent of what the hospital would be able to accomplish. I’d need to follow up with the orthopedist on Monday.
Also fortunate was the fact that with an Achilles tendon injury, I can stand on the injured foot. I can’t push off of it normally, but I can maneuver more easily around the house with both feet on the floor. I can shower and get dressed by myself. I can get up and down the stairs, slowly. I have my crutches and walking boot from when I broke my foot, so I’m prepared for whatever happens next. Surgery? Long recovery and rehab? We shall see.
Whatever it is, I’ll take one day at a time. I’ll be seeing the orthopedist later today and have a better sense of what’s next. Send out the good healing vibes for me. I’ll keep everyone posted.
What did you think?