If anyone managed to get through my oh so scientific post yesterday, you would have seen the part about me Super'womaning' it into a large boulder right smack dab in the middle of my chest. I didn't really elaborate on it because at the time, I wasn't in that much pain. However, I knew in my head that I would probably feel worse the next day (yesterday)...and I did.
I woke up feeling like someone had thrown me to the ground and repeatedly stomped their foot over and over into my sternum. It hurt to stand up, sit down, put on socks, shoes, pants, reach across the table, you name it, it hurt. That didn't stop me from enjoying my day off however! I managed to get out and go dress shopping for Peter's best friends wedding that is coming up in a few weeks. I even needed him to help me undress (not to hard of a task for a loving boyfriend (over-sharing?)). Note to self, do not wear my tightest pair of skinny jeans while shopping for dress's with potentially broken ribs. It takes a lot of upper body strength to pull them up/take them off (just kidding...k maybe not).
As I reflect back on the "fall", a few things come to mind. 1) We make different noises when we slip, trip, fall, and/or superWOman. I tripped a few times on the run, as well as I took a few close calls on some slippery terrain. I realized I made the loudest noises when I got into situations where I thought "Holy Shit, this could be a huge bail" but acted fast enough to keep myself upright. There is a difference however when I know I am going down and there is nothing I can do about it. I just let myself fall and remain completely silent. Whatever happens, happens and I'll leave that up to gravity. This isn't the first time this sort of situation has happened. I remember sitting stationary on my bike one day as a child and somehow me and my bike began to fall. I remember going into this zen like state, where time slows down, and you have a moment to think to yourself "well here I go, let's see what happens".
Has anyone else had that feeling on a fall? . Where time stood still for just a moment and you had time to think about what was happening.
I just spent the last 2.5 hours at the hospital. I managed to get xrays within 20 minutes but it took the next 2 hours for a doctor to free up to look at them and get back to me. Doesn't look like anything is broken and they can't determine if it is cracked from the xray. I am crossing my fingers for a bruise and hopefully my speedy recovery skills will take care of the rest. It just goes to show how important it is to pay attention out there on the trail and make sure you are well fueled. I usually start tripping when I am fatigued and I probably could have used an extra gel at that point. Life wouldn't be an adventure without silly things like that to remind you just how lucky you are to be out there, healthy, and functioning optimally.
See you in the trails (soon I hope)!
3 comments:
Having broken a few (okay, more than a few) bones while running, I've learned a bit. With most bones, you can tell if there's a crack if it hurts if you press on it from more than one angle - it's especially easy with feet, pressing from above and below.
Ribs are the toughest to diagnose, but the treatment is exactly the same whether they break or not. If there's a position you can't tolerate laying down, it's probably broken. All you can do is take shorter strides; the decreased arm motion hurts less.
Bummer with the ribs. If its any consolation, they did their job and saved your internal organs. Maybe its a costo-cartilage injury? Like Steve said, same treatment.
I've totally done the time warp fall- its like a clip from the Matrix! Maybe our nervous system goes into hyperdrive to try and save us? who knows.
Hope you heal up quick.
Yes! I totally know what you mean! While running RR100 last month, I had three gnarly falls, tripping on big roots. I've always been quick to drop an "F" bomb when I trip and take a spill on the trails, but at Rocky they were such massive falls that nothing ever came out of my mouth! It was almost like an out of body experience where you suddenly become the observer, waiting to see how it all plays out. My boyfriend, whom ran the race with me, noted he never could tell when I fell (he was a couple strides in front of me usually) because I never made a sound!
That so strange how that happens and I wonder why it is. When everything goes quiet that's when I know it's going to be a doozy, lol.
I hope you get better fast!!
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