Broken and scratched but still working

Bruised and bleeding 

I felt just as damaged physically too!

Thursday evening training with 100% Fitness was tough but going well and we were almost home when disaster struck: I fell over. 

If anyone else had fallen I would immediately advise: 

• remain laying on ground and see if anything really hurts
• if all seems fine then get up
• go to A & E to get checked (older women especially can easily have broken bones without realising it) vital if heads have been knocked

What did I do? Well I got up as quickly as I fell down and then carried on running which fortunately wasn't too far to the finish of the session.  I did a quick assessment and found that I was bleeding from gashes and scratches on both hands and my right leg. I could feel that my right arm was throbbing but I didn't want to take my jacket off. 

Fortunately it pays to have a nurse as your best running buddy and Becci very kindly cleaned and covered the worst of my injuries. I was probably full of adrenaline from the six mile run and drove home without problems.

At home I was able to get a better look at my injuries and my arm had two large lumps one at the elbow and the other half way along the ulna. Thankfully none of the injuries felt serious enough to need professional attention but I knew I would probably be quite sore the next day. Look away now if you are squeamish.

Oh dear damage done

• Warm up
• Hill session
• Warm down
• Stretching
• Garmin and coat damage

Warm up

The group was split up into three:

1. The tag team preparing for the Para Ten endurance race
2. The faster runners
3. The beginners and those wanting a slower pace

Gemma suggested I went with the faster group (2) which was being led by her husband Graham.

I found it quite a push as I have not been running under 10 minute mile pace for a long while. I soon had to take off my jacket and popped myself at the back of the group moving forward again once I had finally found my rhythm.

These laps show I was working harder than usual

Hill Session

We then had to start hill work. We were to run at 90% effort up hill and round a turning circle and start back down hill at that effort level. Then once we had started downhill we could take a recovery pace back to the start. We where repeat for a total of five minutes. 

After that we ran back around Abbey Fields. This is a green area paved and lit the whole way round which makes it extremely popular for runners.

When we got back we had another hill session with as many repeats as we could manage in five minutes.

Warm down

For our warm down we set off in our groups. Becci and I were running along very nicely still at a faster pace than I would usually take for a warm down but it was comfortable. We were just turning off the path to cross the road and get on the footpath to the finish when I fell. I remember seeing a sandy surface with stones protruding and it is possible I tripped on one of these but it all happened so quickly. I was up very quickly and Graham ran alongside me to the finish and was keeping my mind occupied by explaining how to ice effectively.

Stretching

I tried a little stretching but couldn't really concentrate. We waited for the whole group to get back together and Gemma, our trainer, said she would put the fall in her accident book. I checked my broken watch and it was showing that we had run for just over six miles.

Garmin and coat damage

 When we had finished the hill sessions and were going to take a recovery run back I decided to put on my jacket. This covered my Garmin but in the fall I threw out my hands to help break the fall and unfortunately my watch was ripped off my wrist. The strap was torn beyond repair and the face was scratched and chipped and my jacket was torn. The watch still works thankfully but it doesn't look very pretty. A new watch strap has been ordered but I'm not sure what I can do about the damage to the face.

My poor damaged Garmin 610

Now a couple of days later my shoulder joint is quite sore and I am probably going to have some nice bruises but a few days rest will hopefully help. So plenty of time reading and sipping tea follow.

Time for tea
and a good detective story

A Saturday Run Through

Still Grounded

Sometimes there is a perverse pleasure in an enforced rest and the sudden opportunity to do nothing but take pity on yourself. I am not a fan of self-pity even though it is something at which I seem to be able to excel. I am happy though that I can use my non-running time, due to a chesty cold, to catch up with all sorts of reading.

Nothing nicer than a cup of tea and some new books

I have two new books on my e-reader:

• Feet in the Clouds by Richard Askwith
• Running Free - A Runner's Journey Back to Nature by Richard Askwith

 

The perfect read for a lazy afternoon

Feet in the Clouds

This e-book is the 10th anniversary edition with a wonderful foreword by Robert Macfarlane. It is an iconic running read and one I am looking forward to delving into. It is about his experience of running through the fells but it taps into the mindset of a runner and its publication resulted in vast numbers of people taking up the sport.

Running Free - A Runner's Jouney Back to Nature

Many years later and we have Askwith developing into a runner who is turning his attention away from the heavily commercialised and competitive global sport running has become and back to a more natural approach to getting out into the landscape and enjoying the simple pleasures of a run.

I would like to read his book because it sounds as if it may resonate with my own reasons for running. I didn't want to read one without the other and so I have added both to my library. I was intrigued by the very enjoyable review of 'Running Free' in The Saturday Guardian non-fiction review by Rose George which inspired me to finally get round to reading his work.  The book can be found by clicking the link.

The Guardian Running Blog has lots of excellent articles
 for times when you can't get out running
as well as inspiring you for times when you can!

I have only recently become a Guardian reader and am enjoying their running blog which is available here.  This weekend they have an interesting article about using  foam rollers.

There were several articles about running in this newspaper today. I was amused by Bim Adewunmi describing how much fun it is going for a social run. This is something I adore and every Monday evening I enjoy a good run and natter with some lovely runners. I would definitely encourage anyone thinking about setting up a little group of their own to go ahead as it will bring a lot of joy as well as doing you a lot of good.

Many good articles in The Guardian about running to keep me busy this weekend

Another interesting read, and timely warning for any marathon runners, was an article by David Byrom. David had a very lucky escape after ignoring the warnings his body was giving him when racing in the London Marathon and who has now returned to running for the pure joy of it. He concentrates his runs now to take in his surroundings without damaging his body for the sake of a race time. 

A more simple approach to running seems to be the theme of the articles and book recommendations I read today and one that I whole heartedly endorse so that we can all be safe, well and happy with our running lives.

Now that Spring has sprung I am looking forward to getting well and going out soon for a gentle run through the fields of Mersea.

My Spring garden just before a shower of light hail.
This is what makes me want to get out and run.