Metro to Mountain Journal

Yesterday, I awoke early and finished writing in time to go for a long run. I had been planning the run for awhile to fulfill my need for a long training day. The clouds were dark as I left the house. I decided to wear old running shoes, because I was sure that I would get wet before I returned home.

After a few miles the sole of one of my shoes began to detach and flapped with every step. If I had had some glue, I would have secured the flapper; but I generally do not carry glue with me on a run.

The skies grew darker and the lightning streaked across the western skies. I turned my attention to the skies and then my thoughts to Jake, our dog. I was sure he had gone to his safe place in the stairwell. (Jake is a cautious dog.)

With my mind distracted I crossed a side street. The small curb on the other side of the street caught my flapping, unglued shoe. I was airborne.

In the fraction of a second that it takes to fall, time stands still. I was perpendicular to the pavement thinking through the landing. I dropped my water bottle and twisted to land on my right side. I tried to land and roll on my shoulder but hit my elbow instead.

The cars were stuck in traffic on the road beside me. I was sure that everyone was looking at me and wondering if that old man was okay. (In actuality, no one probably even saw me fall!) I immediately rolled to my feet, reached down and grabbed my water bottle and continued to run. I tried to make it look as if falling was a part of my regular routine.

After a couple of blocks things were not working as well as they should have. To start, the flapping shoe was getting no better. I would throw the shoes away as soon as I got home. I then began triage. I wanted to find out what hurt and just how bad. My elbow was tender and leaking steadily. Then my hip and knee were also in pain; but not crippling. The blood was my main problem, well and the approaching storm. When I ran, the blood leak grew to just short of a flood; so I had to walk holding pressure on the opening with my bandana in order to manage the damage. If I had tape or glue even, I would have fixed the problem and continued running. It just seems like I never have glue when I need it.

Self-consciously, I turned and began the walk back to the house. I felt like everyone was watching me. After a few minutes of limping, the rain began. I used the rain to help clean my arm. The storm worsened and then I began to enjoy my trek. I no longer cared about my audience, I proudly continued as I limped home in the storm.

Pride is a funny thing. Insecurity and self-confidence each find a home in pride's emotional tides. One comes in the other goes out. Of course, sometimes, you just need a tube of glue to really fix the problem.

Happy leaking elbow trails.