how did I get here??

Ok, I am going to take this opportunity to tell all of you a little bit about the journey I have taken this year. It has been a LONG and winding road that has led me to come to this point. Those of you who know me are definitely familiar with this road, but for those of you who don't, I will tell you.
January 23, 2008, it was a Wednesday and I had stayed home from work becuase I was not feeling so well. I decided to go to judo that night anyways because I was fighting in a qualifier that Sunday and I felt like I needed to move my body. I had a BUNCH of friends coming to class that night so I knew I would be working out, but not too much, so it would be perfect. Sensei decided to make us run some suicides during warm ups and that is where this extremely crazy, painful journey starts.
I will digress for a moment before I describe what happened during the running of the suicides. I have this degenerative arthiritic disorder in my right big toe. I had gone to a chripodist and he suggested these lift type things in my shoes. Made my feet feel weird but apparently that was my feet getting used to them. Anyhow, it was activating muscles and stuff inmy feet that had never been used before, but I was always wearing shoes. And then finally - BOOM- IT HAPPENED.
That night at judo the foot rolled and I popped three ligaments in my left foot. I have actually never felt anything like this in my life! I was kind of in shock so I didn't know what happened and didn't feel the pain right away. We had ice on it right away and then taped it up really tight after 20 minutes of ice. I thougth I was ok, so I even participated in a roundof sumo before hte class was over.
THEN, the adrenaline wore off....
...and the pain set in.....
I had to call in sick to work the next day and go to see some doctors. Both my gp and my chiropodist informed me that my competition season was over and to stay off of it for six weeks. Well, I am judoka and that makes me stupid. So, even though my foot was BLACK and swollen so big I couldn't wear regular shoes and I couldn't walk properly, I decided to fight in that qualifier - stupid - I know... BUT I had to do it.
So, I get the medic to tape up my black foot and she was horrified and I bow in. I actually fought a crazy fight. Kept dragging her down to get to the ground,because I couldn't do any stand up. I ended up losing in the end, but what an exciting fight!!
Now, here is where I show my stupid judoka side of me. Sensei Dave comes up to me, congratulates me on a great fight and then tells me that he is withdrawing me... you see, all I needed to do was to step on the mat and I would have enough points to go to nationals. But stupid me begged and pleaded with him to let me fight another, that I could beat her. He told me that I was an adult and could do what I wanted, but that he wouldn't sit in my corner... so I became all girly and started bawling.... so he actually had to go withdraw me... I couldn't handle the idea of actually pulling out of a tournament.
SO, Dave pulled me out and I was sad and pissed and depressed and everything that goes along with being in a combative sport.

And then the rehab had to start.....
The very next day I was at the gym, to go swimming since it was the ONLY exercise I could do.... I was able to ten lengths in the pool, very slowly before the pain overtook me and I crawled out the side of pool and lay on the deck crying my eyes out from the pain and crawled literally on my hands and knees to the change room. And so it went like this for the next few weeks. I was able to start swimming more and more, but the end result was always the same... me writhing in pain on the side of the pool and crawling or limping against the wall to the changeroom.
Then came the last qualifier.... I retore the foot... you hear me screaming during the fights, but I just keep going....
More rehab....................................................................................................................................................

I am going to sign off there for now....
I wish for everyone reading this to remember these important words:
ALWAYS WARM UP YOUR FEET AND ANKLES BEFORE STEPPING ON THE MAT