It’s ages since I even looked at this blog. In August 2021 I started writing a review of the Yorkshire Lass cycle sportive. I never finished the post. A few days after completing the longest bike ride in my life I broke my ankle.

My friend and I had decided it would be good to try Stand Up Paddleboarding. My social feed was full of people enthusing about SUP accompanied by pictures of them gliding serenely across smooth blue waters. We signed up for an introductory session at Salford Quays.

Firstly, SUP is harder than it looks. But we were doing OK. 45 minutes in and I still hadn’t fallen in although we’d been warned that we would. Then disaster – I slipped off sideways, foot first, and my foot slammed into a concrete ramp just below the surface. I screamed with shock and pain and knew instantly it was broken.

I managed to get to the side and the instructor called for an ambulance. Luckily it came quickly (along with both police and a fire engine – Salford Quays is a dangerous place to be in trouble in the water).

I was whisked off to hospital where my beloved wetsuit was cut off me and I was x-rayed, manipulated, put in plaster and told I’d need surgery.

There then followed 3 of the scariest weeks in my life. Several times I was prepared for surgery (nil by mouth from midnight) only for the operation to be cancelled – sometimes as late as 4pm. When I finally did get a slot I woke up to find my leg in a weird contraption but no wounds – apparently it had been too swollen/blistered to operate (maybe they could have checked first?).

So it was back to the ward for a week to bring the swelling down, followed by another round of waiting for a theatre slot. Salford Royal still had a no visitors policy due to covid so it felt very lonely.

Finally I had my surgery and after a few more days recovery (and a good amount of metalwork in my leg) I was released home. I faced 6 weeks unable to put any weight on the bad leg, then 6 more weeks in an orthopaedic boot. I soon hated my crutches with a passion.

Sadly my aftercare was just as poor as my hospital experience – I won’t bore you with the details but after 6 months I could barely walk 500m and my faith in the NHS was utterly shattered.

Then a friend recommended a private physiotherapist and I gradually started to make progress.

My main issue was – and still is – reduced flexibility in my ankle. This is due to scar tissue and damage to the joint and ligaments. My achilles tendon is very tight too. As a result walking barefoot is tricky, steep stairs are a problem and my choices of footwear are limited.

All my lovely heeled shoes have gone to the local charity shops. I lived in trainers for 2 years until I was heartily sick of them. Finally at the end of last year I bought a couple of pairs of low, block heeled shoes – I was ecstatic!

Getting back some fitness

All my hard won fitness slipped away rapidly. I watched my leg muscles disappear while in hospital. Even simple day to day activities left me exhausted during those weeks on crutches. And by Christmas I was 5kg heavier.

I was able to start swimming again 4 months after the accident. Luckily my local pool has a lift as getting in and out of the water was a problem. I could also do short sessions on the indoor bike. Plus endless, painful stretching exercises to try to improve my flexibility.

I began cycling outside again in the spring of 2022, taking my hybrid bike out for short rides. Then in May, I had a fall off the bike. I suffered scrapes and bruises but was badly shaken and lost all confidence.

In August, almost a year after the accident, I managed to get round my local Parkrun. I walked the whole way and took nearly an hour, but it felt I had reached a massive milestone.

A last triathlon

Parkrun was one thing – but could I get back to triathlon?

My swimming would be fine, but getting in and out of the water might be tricky. Plus lots of events involve several hundred metres of barefoot running between swim and transition. The bike scared me and I wondered if patronising comments as I walked round the “run” would spoil my enjoyment.

I decided to have a go at a super sprint event in Nantwich. I’d done the event before so knew it was super-friendly and welcoming for all abilities. With a pool swim and transition right next to it, I didn’t need to worry about covering any distance barefoot. The 20km bike was nearly all on quiet country lanes and I knew I could get round 2.5km at a fast walk. I roped a couple of friends in for moral support and went for it.

It was so lovely to be back doing an event, but it did sadly confirm that my triathlon days were over. The swim and walk were good. But I felt unsafe on the bike despite taking things very easily. The road was full of potholes and coming towards the finish another competitor fell off right in front of me. My time was 24 minutes slower than the last time I did this event – mostly down to the cycle.

I’m glad I had a go, but I won’t be doing it again.

Where I am now

This year I completed my longest ever swim of 3km at The Big Welsh Swim. It was cold, hard work – and I loved it.

I haven’t lost my enthusiasm for trying new things. I’ve discovered Silver Swans ballet for the over 50s (which has been brilliant for my ankle). And I regularly play walking cricket, having been a lifelong fan of the game but never having played it.

Over the last couple of years I’ve made several attempts to start running again, beginning with short run intervals during my power walks. Each time I’ve ended up with knee or hip problems. I’ve now decided to stick to walking. But not just strolling round the park – next year, I’m doing the London Marathon (eek). My goal is to power walk the whole way and hopefully finish on the Mall within the cut-off time (8 hours).

I’m doing this in aid of the Royal Osteoporosis Society. I was diagnosed with this bone thinning disease after my fracture and ROS were a big help. If you are able to support me in this mad endeavour, you can sponsor me here.

Breaking my ankle was a life changing event. It will never be the same again and I’m likely to develop trauma related osteoarthritis in the near future. Losing triathlon was a devastating blow and there have been times over the last 3 years when I’ve been in a very dark place. But I’m doing my best to be positive, adapt and discover new adventures in sport and elsewhere.