Posts Tagged ‘falling’

The “What Was I Thinking?” Run – Part 2

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

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After falling, I had a decision to make. I was about half way to the hospital as it was, and I really didn’t want to run back up the hill to home, and have to call a cab to get to work after getting cleaned up. So I plodded onward towards the hospital.

The workout area where I could get showered and dressed was attached to the hospital, but at night they lock the outside door. So to get to the workout room, I had to go through the Emergency Room entrance.

As I entered, an E.R. clerk asked me if I needed help. I answered no, wondering why she was asking, as I didn’t think I looked lost. I knew where I was going.

It wasn’t until I got to the workout room and into the shower area that I looked in the mirror! Then I could tell what all the stares were about. I had a big gash on my chin, blood running down my face and neck, dirt and blood all over the front of my running shirt and I had scraped up my knees. I was a mess! Now I knew why the Emergency Room clerk was concerned for me; she thought I was there seeking medical attention!

The time was getting late. I had to get showered and dressed for work. As I pulled my shirt over my head, I noticed that my arm was getting stiff and it was hard to raise my right arm. Washing my hair was quite challenging and a bit painful, but I managed, and after getting my face cleaned up, the cut was not so bad.

Walking into work with about 10 minutes to spare, I told my co-worker what had happened. He suggested I call the supervisor and have my arm checked out. By this time my stiff and swollen right arm was hurting insistently and had pretty much plastered itself to the front of my body in a cradled position, so I called the supervisor. I asked if the ER was busy. She checked and said no, go on in and have them check you out. So I left my co-worker with the promise I would be back in just a little bit….

Be back with the conclusion of the story on Friday….

How ’bout it?

-Vision Runner

 

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The “What was I Thinking?” Run

Monday, December 8th, 2008

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Out of all my running stories, this one takes first prize for dumbest move on my part.


I had stopped driving after my diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa, so most nights when I had to go to the hospital to work my graveyard shift, I would get a ride or take a taxi.  One night in late summer about a year after my diagnosis, I decided to run to work.  I wanted to try out a new headlamp I just got, and what a perfect opportunity, since my shift at the hospital didn’t start until 11:00 PM.


There was a workout room connected to the hospital, and I could shower and clean up before my shift, so I put on my running clothes and put my work clothes into a backpack. Giving myself plenty of time to have a quick weightlifting session too, I headed out the door, with headlamp on and started down the long hill where I lived.


So far, so good.  My headlamp seemed to be working well. I was pleased.  It wasn’t until I got on to the busy street that would take me to within a few blocks of the hospital, that I ran into some trouble.  Thinking I was being smart, I got onto the sidewalk. Although the bike path alongside the road was smoother, I was worried about not being seen, as I had no blinkers or flashing lights on me: just the headlamp, which was now starting to feel heavy and clumsy on my head. It kept slipping, and I had to keep re-adjusting it. The sidewalk would be safer from traffic, but it had a lot of uneven spots in it, too.


I was running along, making good time, and naturally I caught one of those uneven spots with my toe, a section of cement sticking up about 3″.  I went down fast and hard, reaching out with my hands to stop myself, hitting my chin on the pavement and catching the full brunt of my body weight with my right elbow.


After a couple of moments of shock and processing, I realized what had happened. I did a body check.  Yep all my teeth were still where they needed to be.  But my arm hurt and I had some nasty road rash on my hands.  And now I had to decide what to do next: I’m about half way there, so do I turn around and head back home?   Or do I continue on running to work?

This story is a little too long to complete in one installment, so please join me on Wednesday to continue the adventure….

How ’bout it?

-Vision Runner



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