The Run Went Well Until It Didn’t
Best Start So Far…
This was in the 5k the day before the Rock and Roll Marathon and Half Marathon. About 30,000 plus were running. Massive to say the least.
Even with bad traffic, we got there in time and I stayed with Kris for the start. Then I went out ahead of her as I normally do. And for the first time I was feeling great. Didn’t need to walk at all.
Until, that is, just beyond the 1.5 mile mark when I tripped on something and instantly hit the concrete very hard. Managed to fall correctly, so only jarred myself, knocked the wind out of me, and I have some great bruises on my shoulder and side.
I got going again with the help of a number of very nice people who were very worried about the 68 year-old-guy on the ground. I walked and did a little running the rest of the way and finished.
Still thinking of the half-marathon tomorrow afternoon, but I will see how banged up I really am in the morning. Got a hunch I have injured a few old ribs, jammed my shoulder pretty bad, and wrenched my back a little. So leaving the decision until the afternoon tomorrow.
After all, I am only 68. What’s a few injuries?
Pictures of me and Kris with our medals on The Strip headed back to our car. We decided on the way back to go get a nice dinner at the Wyn in our jogging clothes. Great food.
5 Comments
djmills
Sorry to hear you are bruised and battered, but well done on finishing.
Jo
Hey you do look a lot lighter than in the past. Bummer about the spill, could you imagine hitting that hard at your old weight? I’m pretty heavy right now myself, everything is harder.
Kate Pavelle
The “fell correctly” part is the key part of your statement, I think. Nice recovery! You have more grit than some old, scuffed bit of pavement for sure!
dwsmith
If I instinctively hadn’t tried to roll into the fall, I would be in the hospital for sure. I was moving at a pretty good clip and went down without warning. And I hit surprisingly hard. So the roll into the fall damaged my shoulder and smashed my arms into my bad ribs, but other than some scrapes that didn’t even tear cloth, no other damage. And I kept my head and face out of the equation with the roll as well.
A very nice, very large black gentleman stopped instantly along with three white women. The guy held me in place for a moment on the concrete, telling me not to move. I did as he said, checked out that I hadn’t damaged any spine, then he helped me up and held me up for a moment until I caught my breath. He and the others were very kind to stop their race to help me. I made it over to a concrete edge and sat for a few minutes before deciding to try to finish. As I sat there, a good dozen people asked me if I was all right, if I needed help.
As I started off toward the turn-around point, I saw the guy who had done the most to help me coming back. I moved over and thanked him.
The kindness of other human beings in something like this just makes me smile and feel good about the human race, especially in times of all this hate and stupidity from our leaders. All I can say to all of them is thank you!
Peggy
My father, who was in his late 80s at this time, slipped on some black ice when we were walking home from the auto shop. He fell right in the middle of a side street. I’d been standing over him for about 20 seconds, checking to see what was wrong and trying to figure out how I was going to get him up, when a work van pulled off the road. Two big young guys got out and ran over. They picked him up and put him on his feet and we walked home.
He had three cracked ribs (which we only found about a week later; that was the first day he would agree to let me take him to the doctor), but they healed fine.
Every once in a while he still remarks on those guys and how thoughtful they were.
I wanted to send them a thank you card and something nice–their business name was painted on the side of the van–but I decided against it. They were probably employees and it was probably against policy to do what they did. Sigh. Anyway, we appreciated it.
Glad you’re pretty much okay!