My #OneWord for 2022 is REFRESH, and in my annual One Word blog post I wrote "I can REFRESH my social life by being more open to new experiences, and saying yes when asked to try new things."
Well, one of those 'new things' was an invitation to come out of basketball retirement and play competitively for the first time in 14 years. The first time since moving to America. Basketball was a HUGE part of my life and I played in College, and post-college. It allowed me to meet people from all across the world and I talk proudly about how I've coached basketball on four continents.
Anyway, game 2 into my season, with less than 2 minutes left, I stepped back and heard a dull pop. My first thought was that someone had thrown a water bottle onto the court, but then I quickly realized that that sound was my Achilles tendon tearing. I went down, with barely any pain, and grabbed that part of my ankle, There was no tension there at all. I knew what had happened.
So now, post-surgery, I am immobile, and because it's my right ankle, I wont be cleared to return back to work until I am fully rehabbed and can drive again. Which means I have to find ways to stay healthy, without being active.
I am a huge fan of Peloton (it's made me a better teacher) and all that they offer on their platform, and as such, I have been ploughing through their catalog for sessions I can do while injured. I've already done an upper body stretch, plenty of meditations, and a seated yoga workout.
I have no regrets about my injury and I'm glad that my wife and kids were able to see me play the sport that I love.
Physically, I know I'll recover. I trust my doctors and the rehabilitation process will be awesome. Mentally, however, I have to work at staying positive. I'm framing my injury in this way....
We've languished during the pandemic and pandemic teaching has been ******** hard! When my boot comes off, the clocks will have changed, the snow in Illinois will have melted. Days will be longer, lighter and warmer. The coronavirus will hopefully continue to abate and perhaps masks will come off at school. I can see the light, and this injury will allow me to bring closure to the past few years and allow me to look forward to a brighter, healthier future.
Be well.
Andy