One could only imagine the sheer, agonizing pain of bruising a couple ribs.
It hurts like hell.
You feel like your insides have been scraped with a scalpel.
You feel like you just got winded by RG3 on the NFL sidelines on an off-day.
You probably have a new found appreciation for mothers in the delivery room.
Worst part: Having no scratches, bruise marks, epic story or medicine to show for it…
That was me 3 weeks ago. The subject of a bad, bad trip and fall over a tree-stump-cracked-sidewalk. Face and chest first to the pavement, with nothing broken, fractured or even remotely scraped, but only several ribs (and ego) severely bruised.
I was training for the Big Sur Half-Marathon on November 17th, California’s pride and joy and THE destination run of all destination runs. Like the St. Andrew’s course of running trails.
It was about 7:30 PM near my office in Palo Alto on a random Tuesday or something. I was over-zealously running through the Crescent Park neighborhood, trying to make up for lost days of skipping runs and lost time of working through lunches. (unfortunately for me not jogging).
It was a quaint, well-to-do neighborhood, the stuff-of-the-movies, and coincidentally, where Mr. Mark Zuckerburg owned about four houses next to each other. Apparently so his “neighbors” couldn’t see into his house. What neighbors?
Anyways, the sidewalks were for the most part well paved and flat. Except for one, the one that caused my running demise and 3-week hiatus.
I limped for days. Apparently a blow to the chest affects your pinky toe.
I poured tears at the single touch of the cold metal stethoscope. The X-Ray lady sadly had to help me put my shirt back on since my arms couldn’t go past my head without crying.
I attempted a couple Richard Simmons-style workouts, but twists and turns to no avail.
I did not run. Once.
- Always pay attention to the streets around you.
Even the sidewalks can trip you up. - If you do fall, try to bruise a hand, leg, toe or arm. Just not the ribs.
It’s the one body part that heals the SLOWEST and can’t be healed or treated with medicine. Just time. - Don’t run in the dark.
Better yet, jog in the brisk morning sun when the sidewalks are easiest to see. - Get a solid pair of running shoes that make you feel like you are running on clouds.
Trust me, it makes a difference. With newer shoes, runners tend to pick up their feet more, stop less overall to adjust for any discomfort, and run on their toes instead of their heels which is better for posture and long-term bone health.
Finally feeling back to myself again, my running high is re-ignited and my ego isn’t as bruised, thanks to some new friends cheering me along the way. So here we come, Big Sur. Bib # 9,345 says hello and asks about your sidewalks.
