The debut of my new trail shoes - Brooks Cascadia - just happened to be the morning of Thanksgiving. I heard through the grapevine (i.e. Robin) that there was a large group meeting at the Birch Street entrance to Galbraith and that they would be running anywhere from 1 to 2 hours. So, I raced my car to Fairhaven Runners the night before and purchased the lusted after trail shoes and got set for an epic run the next morning.
About 30 runners met that fine Thursday morning, chatting loudly in the parking lot, snapping a quick photo of the group, and then headed up the switchbacks. Taking the mountain from this side you are quick to work up a good sweat even though you're running at an incredibly slow pace. I spent most of the time chatting with folks I hadn't seen in awhile - all planning our next big race and wondering what the off season will bring. I also was very well aware of my superb traction. From the rains over the previous day or two the mud was thick and my shoes were doing their job.We would regroup at the end of a few trails, making sure everyone was still with us, chat a bit, and then head down the next trail. I don't know my way around up there well enough to just take off so I always waited around until the herd moved on. The weather was pretty close to perfect. A bit chilly in spots but no rain and high clouds. This allowed for a great view over Bellingham and the bay from the ridge trail - spectacular!
A little after an hour into the run folks began to mumble about turning back. At this point the group had split into two (a few of us hanging back to make sure stragglers didn't get lost). Since only a couple of folks in this second group really knew the lay of the land we all decided to head back. We landed on a fire road and started heading down the hill - maybe a group of about 10 or 12 of us.
About a 1/2 mile into our decent my right ankle folded over on a loose rock. 
Now usually in these circumstances my ankle springs right back and all I'm left with is a few tight muscles the next day. Not the case this time. In slow motion I pitched forward, first stricking my left knee then my palms into the gravel road. I could hear the collective 'Oooo' and 'Ouch' from the group as I uncerimoniously fell to the ground. I wasn't quite sure if I could get up to be completely honest. My entire right leg was pretty much folded underneath me and it seemed like it would be a lot of work to 'un-pretzel' myself. With a bit of help I was back on my feet and gingerly testing wether or not I could put pressure on my right foot. Cringing, I was able to stand on it with sharp little pain spasms coursing back and forth from the outside ankle bone to the inner. Now for those of you that know me well my first thought was 'Awesome'. My second thought was 'I wonder if Gabe (currently mountain biking up on Galbraith) will come across me, give me his bike, and push me down the hill'.
Luckily one of the ladies in my group happened to be wearing a neoprene ankle brace and forced me to put that on over my sock. I'm pretty sure that saved the day - keeping the swelling down for at least a little bit and helping me get down the hill. Now, back to getting down the hill. Some suggested that we walk but since we were at the top of the mountain and probably had a good half hour to get down (running) I wasn't really up for that. Plus I didn't like the guilt of everyone waiting on me. So began the leg favoring shuffle. Which, by the way, is quite difficult especially when you factor in loose gravel, roots, mud, slippery rocks, narrow trails, and a steep decent. But luckily I made it down in one piece and have been practicing the R.I.C.E. method ever since. Oh and yes, it is nearly 5 weeks post mishap and my ankle is still a bit swollen, bruised looking, stiff, and otherwise a pain in the butt (or foot for that matter). Also, I'm limited to swimming and cycling and even those activities aggrevate it. Oh well. Glad it's the off season!
