I am currently sitting in a Starbucks in Avon, Colorado. I didn’t plan to write today, as I’m taking a vacation day from work. I should be out on the slopes of Vail with Kim and her brothers. Instead I’m killing time until they are done for the day, since I cannot join them due to another ankle sprain. I really thought I was past the injuries this time, with the last one occurring this past June. However, the tree I ran into must have felt differently.

After picking up the boys on Friday evening, we drove up to Keystone early Saturday morning. We enjoyed a full day on the slopes there, after which we headed to our condo in Breckenridge. We all enjoyed another great day on the slopes of Breck, until just before 2. It was at that time that I had a little too much fun in a tree filled run, lost control, and slid into a tree, hitting it feet first. My board took most of the impact, but I felt a little pain in my ankle. I managed to get all the way down the hill, but the pain got worse and I decided to call it a day.

That brings me to today. I’m able to hobble around on my own, moving very slowly. I would say that this is one of the lighter sprains that I’ve had, but it’s still enough to keep me sidelined for awhile. I’m hoping I won’t have to stay off the slopes for too long, but I also want to be sure it’s strong enough to make it a full day. As always, time will tell.

Update: at least I’m not alone. I’ve seen two others on crutches in the two hours I’ve been here.