Falling while Running

Falling While Running

My worst fall, by far, happened when I WASN’T running! I was walking on a sunny day when I stepped on some acorns, my feet went out from under me and I fell backwards. I knew immediately it was bad - the plastic water bottle in my day pack was crushed, I couldn’t move my right arm, and all I could see were zig-zag rainbows. After two surgeries, an external fixator, and physical therapy I have regained use of my right arm and hand.

Then last month I was running when my toe caught on a raised crack in the street. All I could think was “Protect the arm!” So I turned to my left and impacted the ground with my left knee and palm, with just some slight scraping on my right knee and palm. My right arm was still intact! But my new capris were ripped in the knee and I was bloody. I got up, shrugged, turned around and ran home. As I passed other runners, I waved halfheartedly so they wouldn’t be grossed out by the blood dripping off my palms.

I have fallen many times while running over the years. Most people assume it is because I am an early morning runner and often run (with a headlamp) before the sun rises.  The one time I tried running in the afternoon was years ago, when I was stationed at Keesler AFB. I was running along Chappie James Blvd when suddenly a sidewalk crack snagged me and I fell. Two MPs ran across the street to see if I was alright. I was burning with embarrassment!  Falls can happen at any time of day or night.  I will stick to my early morning running routine when there's less chance of embarrassing myself.

But I am not the only one falling! In one NIH study of 10,615 participants aged 20–87 years, 20% reported falling during the past year. Of those falling, 54% fell during sports or exercise. Another study reported that of those who had falls, 86.7% were walking while 11.1% were either sitting (?!) or running when they fell! At least I haven’t fallen out of a chair … yet.

Falling every once in a while will probably continue to be part of my running experience. I consider my scars part of my life story and reminders of the many times I fell down, got up, and kept on running.