I Was Long Overdue

Warning! Graphic Images to Follow

I take a spill almost every year. Two weeks ago, someone I was running with took a spill. I commented on how I hadn't done it for a while, but that I had probably jinxed myself for saying it. I mean, a move to a new area would not be complete without me taking out a knee on a sidewalk somewhere. Burlington - check! Montpelier - Check! DC - now a check!

It was probably a bad sign that Tom bought a new box of band-aids yesterday. We fly through band-aids when we get a new box, but use them less and less as the supply runs low. His purchase was another sign.

The spill was eminent.

All I needed to do tonight after practice was run 3 miles. Three. Easy. Miles. I felt great, especially after yesterday's run. It was starting to sprinkle around 9 minutes into my run. Rain was coming. I was excited. We never get rain. It's warm! Who doesn't love running in warm rain.

Then BANG!

I was on the sidewalk. Right outside the metro. Fortunately only one guy was there to see me. I sat there for a bit. What happened?! Why are my hands and knee in such pain? What am I going to do?! Run? Turn back? I'm so close to the turn-around point.

I turned around. I can deal with a bleeding knee, but with a marathon 3 weeks away, I do not want to run on injured bone. And the exposed nerves were more painful than anything else, so I couldn't actually tell if my bone hurt.

Tom helped me out when I got back. Turns out my elbow also took a hit, but my jacket protected it from the bare concrete. Thank goodness. Honestly, this isn't a big deal. It's just a minor annoyance to have to run with a scab or to deal with the pain on my hands. I'll heal and in a few weeks forget it all happened.

Guess it all goes with the territory! Another running battle-wound to display and another story to add to my NYCM training.