Hands in the leaves, briers scraping my arms, tears streaming down my sweaty face: “I just gotta get to the road.” The scene was all too familiar. Here I was, broken yet again, alone as usual, and crawling through the woods on hands and knees. Completely taken out by one tiny root, and one tiny ankle.
“WHY… WHY…. WHY….” I demanded out loud.
I knew right after I hit the ground that it was bad. I dared a glance down to see my ankle, which was now tripled in size and a funny shade of blue. I wouldn’t be able to walk the two miles back to my car, so I began crawling towards a road less than half a mile away. After a messy, painful, and pathetic crawl, I finally reached the road and waved down a car. Luckily, a nice old couple opened their doors to me instead of a serial killer, and I hopped inside and did my best not to cry for Mama.
I don’t know what I was more pissed about… the pain, or the fact that this exact situation had already happened–not once–but twice already over the summer. I had only been training for a month this time following a 10 week break from the last injuries. In all of my years I’ve spent trail running, I’ve dealt with some pretty intense and almost deadly injuries, but never with ankles. I’ve always prided myself in being able to “hop it off”, a preventative method good trail runners take to avoid landing a bad twist. But shoot, this summer, somebody or something just wanted me out of the dang woods. All I did each time was catch a tiny root with lazy footing, and my ankles were never the same.
After I finally made it home, grabbed the crutches that were still there from the last time, and hobbled into my bed… I couldn’t help but just cry. Dan was out of town, the kids were at school. I was all alone. And man, I just felt so defeated. Actually, let me dig deeper there…. I was sick of feeling so defeated. Just sick of it. Sick to my stomach almost. Over the past three years or so, it’s just been injury after crazy injury. For every two steps forward, something would happen and its fifty freakin’ steps back.
So, you know, I threw a few remotes, and maybe a cell phone at a wall or two, grabbed a pillow and just laid into it. Enough is enough. I cried for a few hours straight. I cried so long, I cried myself to sleep.
But suddenly, everything changed with a gentle shake. I peeled the covers off of my head, wiped my eyes, and looked up through tears at the person standing over me, “….Dad?”
In a perfect world, a girl’s dad would be just the person to see in such a situation. Yet, I’ve never found that perfect world. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nothing like you’re probably thinking. My dad is a great dad. He’s never been anything but a loving, caring, and providing father to me and my siblings. But over the past decade or so, despite the fact that we live just miles from each other, we’ve more than grown apart; enough to the point that an uncomfortable awkwardness finally settled into the silence between us.
“How you doin’ baby?” he said quietly, standing a few feet away from my bed. “Mom said you hurt your ankle again. I just wanted to check on you.”
I was already such a wreck. No doubt mascara was plastering my cheeks. I knew there was no point in trying to hold it all together. So, I didn’t say anything. I just cried.
“It’s so stupid, Dad.” I finally mustered up between sobs, “It’s just a freakin’ ankle. I don’t know why I can’t hold myself together.”
“You’ll be fine, Honey. You’re tough. You just need some time to heal. But something good will come out of this, I’m sure. It always does.”
I didn’t respond. I didn’t know how to. It was no longer about my ankle. Him being there–it changed everything.
He watched me for a moment, seemingly unsure of his place or what to do next.
I don’t know when it happened, when we got to this distant place.
We were so extremely close when I was a girl. Dad gave me my love for music, creativity, trails, and anything and everything in the great outdoors. He taught me discipline and strength and introduced me to God.
But I think somewhere between my reckless youth, and the lack of me reaching my womanly potential as an adult, I must have broken my dad’s heart. I let him down somehow, and I’ve never known exactly why. Maybe it was because I was married so young, perhaps he felt like he simply wasn’t needed anymore. Maybe it’s because I was the one carbon copy of his image out of six kids, that he expected more out of me. Whatever it was then, had us at this place now: a dad and a daughter caught between two worlds of memories and maybes.
And since he also gave me his stubbornness, I waited to see how he was going to react.
And he waited right back.
What I wanted and needed so badly was for him to just pick me up and hold me like a kid. To let me just cry in his arms, and for him to tell me it was going to be okay. Because in that moment, I didn’t need anyone else. I didn’t need my husband. Not my mom, I didn’t need my sisters or friends for shoulders to cry on. I just needed my dad.
But I didn’t want him if he wasn’t willing to shatter walls to get to me, so I didn’t budge…
…but he took that step. He came to me and locked me into a deep embrace. Full of love and maybe a pinch of regret.
“Aww baby girl…” he said with tears in his eyes. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
“Daddy…” I cried, “Thank you. Thank you.”
And we just stayed there like that for so long, all awkwardness gone. He grabbed my hand and knelt down beside my bed.
“Gah… Dad I’ve missed you…So much.”
“I’ve missed you too, baby,” he said while wiping the tears from my eyes.
Dad sat with me for a couple of hours, never letting go of my hand, and he let me pour my heart out–about anything and everything I could think of. I asked him for advice. I apologized for mistakes. We talked about how fast my kids are growing. We talked about camping, mountains, and fishing. We laughed about failures, and cried about some pain. We talked about it all, but not once, did we talk about my ankle. …I had forgotten about it.
After awhile, afternoon came, and it was time for someone to go get my kids from school. Dad fetched a new ice pack, some pillows, and pain meds to keep me comfortable for the next few hours alone. “Mom and I will take the kids to our house. You just stay here and rest that ankle. I’ll be back to check on you.”
“Hey, Dad,” I said, as he walked out. “Thank you for being here. I needed this.”
“I’ll always be here for you, Ash, whether you feel it or not. Let’s not ever go a day without speaking again.”
I agreed and we smiled at one another, and then he walked out of the room. I looked down at my swollen ankle again, and finally–finally–it all made sense.
“So that’s why you wanted me off of the trails.” I said quietly, looking towards Heaven…..”Thanks.”
ASHRUNS100s 
Beautiful.
Thank you. 🙂
Girl–you made me cry! That was awesome! I could really feel the emotion. Glad you and your Dad are back on track. I lost my Dad 18 years ago and would love one day with him to chat as an adult.
Hope the ankle is on the mend.
Thanks for reading it. Sorry about the loss of your father…it’s incredible how that relationship impacts life even in adulthood
This was an amazing post. It made me well up with tears thinking about my relationship with my late father. Thanks for writing your thoughts in such a beautiful, heartfelt, and tender way.
Tim
Thank you, Tim! Glad you enjoyed it.
Great change of pace from the last post. Ur a really dynamic writer!
Hey Mark!! Thanks!!!!
Ashley,
I lost my father suddenly in 2011. Don’t go another dad without talking to him. I’m glad you were forced off the trails that day.
So sorry Myia…I am glad I was, too. Worth it. Thanks for taking time to comment!
You just made a grown man cry.
Ha! 🙂
What an incredibly touching post. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reading it!
I have been following your blog for quite some time Ash. I do believe I have read every last one of your postings. This one is most definitely your best and most honest work. Made me both cry and smile. You are beautiful on the inside and on the out!
Thank you for following along man& thanks for the sweet words. The feedback means a lot to me.
Wow! That was incredible. I lost my dad to cancer 22 years ago. He was 50 and I was 21. I can’t count how many times I would of loved to have him here helping me with all of his wisdom. Your story made me remember all of the good times that I did have with him, though. I’m glad you shared this side of you. I think all of us that follow your blog love that you are a bad ass and kind of a smart ass as well! It was nice to see this side of you too. Hopefully you have some more posts like this in the future. I’m glad you and your dad are good again!
Hey Kelly- thank YOU for sharing, too! And also thx for sticking with my blog through its many phases as I navigate life. 🙂 comments like yours just now make a difference and contribute to my desire to keep sharing.
Great story! Glad to hear something great came from your injury.
Thank you, Johnny! Have a nice night.
Great post, have to go now, I, er, I have something in my eye…
Hahaha Ben!!!!! Thanks
Love it. Sorry you hurt your ankle, but sometimes good things have a way of disguising themselves. My dad died about 24 years ago, when I was…you know, dumb and full of shit. Well more than I am now anyway. I’d give a bunch just to be able to talk to him. Luckily, I have my own kids now and I’ll do whatever I can to be there for them.
Thats what I keep hearing- “I would just love to have one more talk”. I’m sorry:( I bet you’re a great dad…. thanks for reading & commenting.
Perfect! I hope my little daughters and I never grow apart. Thanks for this.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.:)
Beautifully written! 🙂
Heal & rest well… #manhug
Thx Ross hahahha at #manhug
Thanking God for the reconnect. Family is SO important and I’m glad it’s on the mend. #GodBless and #BestWishes !!
Hey Tim! Me too!!! Thanks:)
Aww, that’s sweeter than #AASugar! Nice piece.
This coming from one of our most valued sponsored #aasugar athletes! Thank you! 🙂
The world works in mysterious ways! You’re an inspiration; thanks for sharing about the good and the bad. Heal fast 🙂
Sure does. Thanks man. I am already on the mend, hopefully won’t be too long!
Great post. Better than the Lifetime channel. 🙂 Glad you got to reconnect with your father and I’m wishing you a speedy recovery.
HA! Never got the lifetime channel comparison, but I did go there with my emo-ness, didn’t I?! 🙂 Thank you David!
Wow. As a daddy of two little girls it gives me something to strive for, before it gets too far. Thank you.
Aw.. Love it. Thanks for commenting.:)
Oh God.
Crying and squeezing my face with the ache of this. Damn it.
I suck at walking in faith. Friggin’ well written reminder. THANK YOU.
Prayers for your ankle.
Haha sorry bout that!;) Thank you back! I appreciate your comment. & the ankle is on the mend, thankfully. Have a great weekend, girl!
First: “hop it off.” Can’t count the number of times that has saved me from a sprain.
Second, good on you and your dad. What a great day, despite the circumstances.
Thanks Bob!& hopping it off have saved me a trillion times… minus 3. It’s almost like you have to have that perfect rhythm going to be able to do it. Have a fun weekend, man.
PS. You are now my top commenter. I love you for that!
My daughters are 21 and 28. Though we’ve not drifted apart any, you heartfelt post made me realize how important it is for me to make sure we never ever do. Thanks Ash
Love this comment. Thanks, Kent!
As someone who no longer has his dad, not gonna lie…hit a bit of a nerve.
Nothing more important than la familia. Certainly not some douchey ankle.
Good job. Nice post. You’ll get better.
I agree Billy! Thx for the comment. Have a good weekend you crazy runner. #californiaDouche 😉
I’m sure you won’t remember me, but I remember you from a tiny private school that you and I attended as children. I was your sister’s age, but I remember your cute little blonde pony tail bee-bopping through the hallways. I see your dad occasionally around town, at the Y where I run and lift…I’m sure he doesn’t remember me either, but I remember his quiet demeanor when he would come to various events around school and a the ball field where L and I played softball together.
I lost my relationship with my dad, too, about fifteen years ago, but I lost him to a meth addiction. For years, I remember feeling the awkward bitterness bubble up every time I’d see him, and I’ll forever regret not doing more to address his problem. Three years, three months, and twelve days ago, he cleaned up his life, and I can’t tell you how incredible it is to feel like I can love him again.
Keep loving your daddy. We only get one. Best wishes to you!
Hey April! I remember an April!!! 🙂 Thanks for commenting on my blog. Had no idea you read it. Also, thanks for sharing your own experiences. Touching. I dealt with a meth addiction as a teenager, and was just recounting it to someone right before you commented. It’s an enormous thing to overcome and leaves a lasting impact. I’m happy you guys got through that!!! Thanks again for stopping by. Have a great week!
I am a new reader on here, I found your blog thru another one, I cant remember which one.
I too have lost the closeness with my dad. When I was younger there was no one I was closer to than him. At 29 tho I don’t feel that closeness anymore. He came to visit me for a week not too long ago (he lives several states away) and to watch me in a race. His trip was full of a great distance between us even though he was sitting on the same couch as me. I felt the same desperation you felt for him to reach out and “be my dad” but he never did. Maybe soon….
Thank you so much for your post!
Aw Katie, thanks for sharing. That feeling is definitely so familiar to me! I think it’s all about just finally conquering the elephant in the room. Since I wrote this post my dad and I have talked a lot more, even on the phone. I never thought that would’ve happened a couple months ago!
Great story
Thank you!
I am so glad I found your blog. I love reading your stories. And this one made me cry and made me miss my dad so much… And kinda made me want to put in my running shoes again. Life is a struggle but im pretty sure you are doing it right.
Aw thanks Christina!! I’m happy you found me too! Yes get those running shoes out! It’s good for you!!! 🙂
I’m new to your blog (In fact, just today, Dec. 24th). Like some of the others, I lost my dad about 15 yrs ago. I still miss him. I am myself a father of 2 beautiful grown girls who now have there own families and children. I am very cognizant of keeping the relationship with them and my grand kids open and honest. We are closer now that when they were little, but I have to work at it because I am not the most affectionate father. But, by God’s grace we have a great relationship to this day. My oldest daughter is a runner like I am and we share that bond. She lives in another state, but we still share about our running and our lives. It helps keep us close.
Being a dad (and granddad) is more precious than we will ever know. Ashley, don’t ever let your relationship with your dad be taken for granted. You don’t know how many days you have left together. Make them count. Thanks for your great blog.
I’m sorry, but somehow I missed your comment! Thanks for sharing with me. You sound like a great father,. I actually ran 9 miles with my dad during my last 100, and it will definitely be one of the most memorable experiences of my life! I’m glad it happened. Running is a cool bond not share. Thanks for following my blog! Have a great week.
I don’t care if this is 1.5 years late. Whoa. Awesome and congrats. Still working up till your new posts, but hope the trend continues.
haha thanks for reading, Colin. I appreciate it.