bolt

It doesn't take much to embarrass me, but on Saturday afternoon I had the opportunity to do just that. Despite the sub-freezing temperatures, leftover snow and ice all over the sidewalks and roads, I decided that I could endure a mediocre run through the neighborhood. After about 20 minutes, I decided that it was a stupid idea because I spent more time dodging icy patches and stopping to walk around larger skating rinks, so I turned around and started running back to my apt. Feeling like I hadn't really conquered this run, I started sprinting up the big hill in front of the nearby park. And then it happened.

I felt a slight trip. But I did the ever-popular instinct of taking a giant step to regain my footing. That didn't help. I was destined to fall. And before I knew it, I faceplanted into the sidewalk for my very first fall while running. I'm not even sure what happened during the fall, but after it was all over, I found myself sitting backwards, facing the opposite direction. My first reaction was not to see my injury, but to look for who saw this mishap. Luckily, there was only one car driving by. Whatever. I got up, surveyed my injuries, noticed the blood on my knee, my left hand, and realized I needed to just give up and head home. Then I noticed the woman walking her dog who approached me to ask how I was. I told her to watch out for the ice. Only, I hadn't even tripped on the ice. I had tripped on the dry sidewalk.

The amount of emotions that follow after falling are quite amazing. I went from confused, disappointed in myself, in pain, and then laughter. I was then mad at my lame attempt at running, so after walking a block, I sprinted the last 2 blocks uphill, just to regain some confidence. And more because I was in need of some peroxide. I also discovered, with the help of hot water, that I have a sidewalk burn on my left leg.

Needless to say, I've taken the day off from running.