Falling…is practice REALLY necessary??

OK, so no one told me that when one decides to start running on trails that falling would become a regular occurrence or some sick right of passage.  In all of my running years, I’ve fallen fewer than a handful of times.  Over the last two-ish weeks, I’ve fallen twice – once on the trails, and today on the sidewalk.  Today's fall produced the worst road rash I’ve ever had, more than a few tears, and most definitely an f-bomb or 7.

After a couple of long days working out of my VT offices, I took to the great outdoors for a mentally cleansing run.  I usually use the hotel treadmill when I’m in VT, but today was a gorgeous day and I figured a fairly straightforward out&back would give me a safe 3 miles before heading back indoors for the evening.  Armed with a bottle of water and my pepper spray, I headed out.  All seemed pretty benign until I got tangled up in what looked like a misshapen wire hanger.  I never had a chance.  I went down so fast and slid across the sidewalk so hard…..man, it hurts just typing it.



Right leg & elbow.  Left side just a few bumps - not nearly as photogenic!

I sat for a minute, not believing what just happened.  I got up, limped about, and gathered up my water bottle and pepper spray which had flown in different directions upon impact.  Since I was on a very busy main street, I had plenty of spectators.  The driver closest to my personal “ground zero” yelled out, “Are you OK?” (afterall, I am in VT)...to which I waved “yes”.  Not to be overly dramatic, but I was just so stunned that I couldn’t find the words.

I told myself that this falling/recovering regimen is all good training for my developing trail running career.  So I took a deep breath and, once I knew nothing was seriously injured, continued the remaining short distance to my hotel.  And thanks to my Scott, I always travel with a solid first aid kit.  A shower to clean out the rubble (literally), healthy application of antibiotic ointment, and a couple of big band aids should do the trick.  Not “good as new”, but I'll heal.

My goal now is to try to avoid getting blood all over the hotel towels as I work on cleaning the wounds.  My mentally cleansing run could end up looking like a hotel murder scene if I'm not careful!  Though I imagine that might keep the housekeeping staff wondering….