The stone walkway may be 2.5 feet at its narrowest point. The shore line is 7-8 feet down from the walkway. It’s narrow, it is a ways down and I’m always wary. I must have been daydreaming. Or better stated, distracted by day-work-worrying.
I’m on my morning run.
My right forearm slams into the end of the steel I-beam guard rail. Here it comes. A car crash in slow motion. A Bruce Lee flick. With much less grace. The I-beam doesn’t move. But it moves me. It spins me around. Full Stop. Drop. Roll. Air explodes out of my chest. I’m gasping for air. More stunned than hurt. I’m down flat on my back for a few seconds, grateful that I didn’t plunge into the mud and frigid waters in the bay. I look around to see if anyone caught the show. No one is yelling “Man Down. Man Down.” We’re clear. Pride intact.
I get up. Brush myself off. Start running again. Return to my running pace. I look down at my forearm. My red sweat-shirt blazing through the tears. My forearm is throbbing. (Can knock me down, but can’t stop me. I still have IT. Just another hockey stick slash to the forearm – I’ve suffered through hundreds. I make a fist and pain shoots up my arm. I touch it. Tender. Hmmmmmmm. I wonder what it looks like underneath. Yes, I still have it. Yes I do.)
I note that the i-Gear and e-gear is undamaged. (A careless fall plus my steadfast refusal to buy equipment insurance could have resulted in treble damages. Could have been a expensive 5 mile morning run.)
Be good if Tom Petty and Free Falling cycled to the front of my playlist at that moment. Light. Alive. Summer. Youth.
Instead, it’s Neil Young’s “Old Man”
I’ve been first and last
Look at how the time goes past.
But I’m all alone at last.
Rolling home to you.
Rolling. Rolling home to Nap Time.
Related Posts: Running Series
Live & Learn 
I’ve never liked any kind of exercise first thing. I eat breakfast first and promise myself I’ll get exercise during the day. Sometimes I do. Its because its hard to be mindful when I’m half asleep. Was that your problem? Or did the guardrail just get in your way?
LikeLike
It’s the d*mn guard rail Frank. I can’t see to get a bead on it. As to whether that’s my problem, you don’t have enough time to listen. 🙂
LikeLike
Here on Cape Cod we have trees and telephone poles like that — they just will not stay in place!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
rolling home to nap time 🙂 ha ha ha
hope the bruise isn’t too big ?!?!
LikeLike
You caught the punch line. Thanks! Actually, I’m shocked at how much it has swollen up. How possible can I function with a bruised right wing – it’s my PC mouse hand?!
LikeLike
you’ve got to rest it. ice. eat steak – helps with soft tissue damage, I can’t remember why. ack get off the PC !! rest it.
LikeLike
David! OMG, hope you’re okay! And…how is it that you can write both painful and funny at the same time. I couldn’t help but smile every now and then. But, overall, I FEEL for ya! Take care my friend… 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Carol. Today, it’s not so funny. And other parts of my body are achy too! 🙂
LikeLike
So sorry, David…I can only imagine the after effects of such a fall. Try to take it easy for a while.
LikeLike
Only us old runners understand a post like this. “There but for the grace of . . . “
LikeLike
Exactly John. Add twisting ankles on potholes, rocks, etc and there is a long list of stories to add to… 🙂
LikeLike
Oh my goodness. Is it your eating arm too? Maybe it will slow that down? lol.
LikeLike
Like.
LikeLike
Good one. Now that’s sympathy and compassion.
LikeLike
I hope you aren’t on the computer and instead have a bag of frozen peas on your arm. I blame Endomondo – I always do. That’s a heckuva tear on your sweatshirt and undoubtedly there will be an impressive bruise underneath. You have to beware of moving guardrails – they can come at you from anywhere..
LikeLike
No peas. (Men don’t need recovery aids.) Yes, big tender bruise. This morning after wearily getting out of bed – I found a bruised knee, stiff back and other joints that aren’t moving with much grace. But I’m up, and grateful. 🙂
LikeLike
Maybe a couple of Advil after a little breakfast? Not that men need pain relievers or anything. Just a recommendation for a possible chaser for your coffee…;-)
LikeLike
Yes, good idea. Need the Advil. I’m on it. Thanks.
LikeLike
Oh! That must have HURT!! So sorry for you!
LikeLike
LAUGHING! “I look around to see if anyone caught the show.” That’s FUNNY!
So glad to see you actually went running after the previous post…
LikeLike
It is funny how the mind thinks (first). Anyone watching? Is gear ok? Then you take inventory of your body. All in that order.
LikeLike
Been there, done something darn like that! Love the drama of your story, and the acceptance.
LikeLike
Thanks Vicki. Hope your event was less painful.
LikeLike
Oh man, David, I’m betting you are sporting a nasty bruise after that maneuver! So glad that it wasn’t worse. FYI, running is not typically a full-contact sport… Take care of yourself and as Mimi said, frozen peas…:-)
LikeLike
Yep, bruised. And on inside of forearm. And you have to asked yourself, how did I possibly hit the pointed side of the i-beam with the inside of my arm. You have to TRY to be that stupid.
LikeLike
Isn’t self-journalism amazing? 😀
LikeLike
🙂 Self-flagellation? Yes.
LikeLike
Ouch! You be careful out there!
LikeLike
Damage already done Darlene. We are staying inside today!
LikeLike
Glad you’re safe! be careful out there
LikeLike
Thanks Michael. We’re staying inside and watching football today. No encounters with large stationary objects. Have a good day.
LikeLike
Hope your arm heals quickly, Dave. Yet another hazard of running to add to the list — things can bang into you faster and harder. Walking’s better I think. It’s a lower impact exercise…
LikeLike
Laughing Sandy. All so true.
LikeLike
So sorry for you but you are brave. I hope it doesn’t take much time to heal. God bless you.
LikeLike
Thanks Indira. We’re gutting it out. 🙂
LikeLike
Battle scars are *so* hot.
LikeLike
Laughing. No comment. 🙂
LikeLike
What a shock to the system, David. My jogging hubby has suffered a couple of ‘crashes’ too. Hope your arm is feeling better by now.
LikeLike
Thanks Sylvia.
LikeLike
Sorry for the pain David. At least your pride is intact and you got some good writing material out of it. I fell off of a spinning cycle in spin class. My feet were still strapped in. Not so graceful and my pride took a big hit. I have had fun telling the story though.
Thanks for sharing. I empathize. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Brenna. I’m sorry to say but your visual of being strapped into the spinning cycle was too much – I had to laugh. Still laughing in fact. Were you turning the corner on the highway when you fell. (I’m sorry. I had to get that in.)
I had similar experience on a fancy racing bike – which I didn’t belong on – shoes were tucked into pedal straps, I couldn’t get my feet out – crash. (Yes, that hurt too.) Thanks for sharing your experience. Feel less alone now. 🙂
LikeLike
Yeah it takes special athletic ability to fall off a stationery bike.;)
LikeLike
Terrific photo.Your images are fantastic!
LikeLike
Thank you Kim
LikeLike