Runners.....ever fall?

[Worknprogress]

I have to admit, with years of running under my belt I have taken some falls. However, yesterday I took the worst fall EVER!

Usually I can catch myself but there have been a few times I have fallen and the brunt has been to my knees and palms but yesterday, going up a hill, my left toe caught the ground and I catipulted forward landing on the right side of my face and shoulder!!!

I wanted to just sit and cry but I checked my teeth (which were all okay) and had no choice but to run the half mile home.

When I looked in the mirror, I looked as bad as I felt. I have huge abrasions on my right cheekbone, my right jaw bone, right shoulder and right upper chest. I look totally beat up! My legs - NOT ONE MARK!

Went to the doctor today - he checked bones, ligaments and whatever else and all that seems to be okay.

Just wondering if anybody else has taken such a hard fall and how long did it take you to "get back on the horse?"

 

[Jane Royse]

I'm not a runner, but just wanted to say that I'm glad you're OK! It is so scary to fall! I have fallen down my front steps & not caught myself & landed on my right cheekbone. Hope you feel better soon! Hugs!

 

[CommittedtoFitness]

That was a nasty fall, Worknprogress. Having wounds on your face and upper body must be uncomfortable while sleeping. I hope the doctor advised you on how to avoid scarring on your face (my guess is putting ointment or cream on the wound to keep it moist whle healing might help). I hope you heal quickly and are not too uncomfortable. You'll be back in action in no time at all, especially since your legs escaped unharmed.

I used to jog on an unpaved path with gravel and an uneven surface. One morning I was not paying close enough attention (it was summer and in my zeal to beat the heat, I went out early and was not quite awake enough) and I tripped and fell onto my legs (shins) and palms. Although I was not moving terribly fast, I kind of skidded to a stop on loose gravel. I was stunned and scared, started crying, and looked around to see if anyone had witnessed my clumsiness but there wasn't anyone nearby (imagine worrying about one's dignity when injured!). I got up and finished jogging (slowly) because I had no choice. When I got home, I cleaned the abrasions on my legs as best I could and applied an antibiotic ointment, which was painful. My palms were OK. A friend suggested using an ointment with lidocaine (an anesthetic agent) along with antibiotics. I tried that. Although the anesthetic effect doesn't last long, the lidocaine made applying the ointment less painful. I don't recall how long I covered the wounds with sterile gauze but I think healing is faster if you can keep the wounds uncovered. However, even the sensation of air against the wounds was painful initially. As the leg abrasions healed, the surrounding skin tightened (this is normal) making the wounds more sore than when the initial injury occurred. The wounds were uncomfortable at night interfering with sleep. I found myself unable to drive a car until the wounds healed. My left leg was worse than my right leg. At the time I had a standard transmission requiring use of the left leg for the clutch. I realized that I could have driven if I had an automatic transmission (you need only your right leg to drive an automatic), which I now do.

I don't recall how long it took to heal but it was at least a week. Eventually scabs form, the area becomes less sensitive, and the scabs peel away revealing new tissue (I hope I'm not grossing anyone out). I was back out jogging (more carefully) after not too long.

 

[JeanneMarie]

Falling is scary isn't it? I've taken a few tumbles while running, but nothing major.

My worst fall came just 7 weeks ago while doing a step routine. I don't know if the step wasn't seated properly on the risers, or if my foot hit wrong, but right in the middle of my workout, the step top slid off the risers and down I went. I tried to break my fall with my outstretched hand, and broke my right wrist instead.

I used to think only "older" folks who were unsteady and out of shape fell and broke something. How wrong I was! In fact, my doctor told me that the number one demographic that falls and breaks a wrist is active, fit women. Our natural instinct is to put out a hand to break the fall, and many times that results in a broken wrist.

I'm so sorry about your tumble, but as I sit here typing one handed, I can't help but be glad for you that you didn't break something. Heal fast and be careful!

 

[CommittedtoFitness]

I'm so sorry to hear about your broken wrist, JeanneMarie. I've tripped on my step but never fallen (yet). I've become increasingly skittish about some of the moves Cathe makes over the step because I am clumsy enough to trip and fall. I've been modifying the trickiest moves to reduce the risk of tripping and falling from the step. I also take calcium and vitamin D supplements to strengthen my bones in the event of a fall and to prevent osteoporosis. I'm not elderly either.

 

[lioness]

I fall once a year while running. In 2009, I was running downtown with my sister. There were tables and chairs on the sidewalk in front of a restaurant. I remember clearly thinking, do not trip on the chairs and 2 seconds later I was down. I didn't trip on the chair but on some kind of water meter thing in the sidewalk. I fell right in front of people. They asked me are you ok and my sister quickly answered yes she is fine but I knew that I wasn't. I was bleeding on my knee and sprained my ankle. My sister ran to get the car while some customer yelled at the staff to get me napkins and ice. Truthfully I really needed a shot of some scotch or something.

In 2010, I tripped on the sidewalk and bloodied my knee in the same place as in 2009, scraped my palm and hit the side of my face.

This year, I stepped on a pine cone and twisted my ankle. I ended up walking home after that one because I had no choice. Luckily the sprain was not bad.

I really try to concentrate when I run but apparently I am accident prone when it comes to running. It's scary but it doesn't keep me from running. I just try to be more aware of the path I take.

 

[tralaiven]

I have been working out for years, most of those at home, starting out seriously with the Firm, them finding Cathe about 2004. I had never fallen in all those years and all that time of exercise until last week I fell while cycling...a sport I had just taken up...and broke my humerus at the ball and socket joint...now it hurts to move very much...the dr says I cannot exercise for at least 5 weeks. I doubt very much that I will ever cycle again.

 

[JeanneMarie]

I have been working out for years, most of those at home, starting out seriously with the Firm, them finding Cathe about 2004. I had never fallen in all those years and all that time of exercise until last week I fell while cycling...a sport I had just taken up...and broke my humerus at the ball and socket joint...now it hurts to move very much...the dr says I cannot exercise for at least 5 weeks. I doubt very much that I will ever cycle again.

I'm so sorry! It just happens so fast! When I fell over my step, I remember lying on the floor, holding my wrist, and thinking.... "I wonder if I'll be able to finish this step routine?" Then reality and pain set in, and I realized I would be going to the hospital, not finishing my step routine.

I am finally out of my cast, as of last week, (6 weeks) but my movement and flexibility is seriously inhibited. It will be months before I can get back to my regular workout routine... planks, push-ups, lifting weights... all of that is out of the question for now. I am running, but I didn't stop that even with my cast on. I am doing my Cathe workouts one handed. Last night I did Muscle Max with a weight in my left hand. My entire right arm is seriously atrophied and it's distressing.

Are you in a cast? Does it hurt? I had some pain, but honestly I've had more pain trying to move frozen joints and ligaments since the cast came off. I feel so bad for you. The cast phase is long and arduous. It's no fun and it will seem like forever. I will be thinking about you. Good luck and may you heal quickly!

 

[JeanneMarie]

I'm so sorry to hear about your broken wrist, JeanneMarie. I've tripped on my step but never fallen (yet). I've become increasingly skittish about some of the moves Cathe makes over the step because I am clumsy enough to trip and fall. I've been modifying the trickiest moves to reduce the risk of tripping and falling from the step. I also take calcium and vitamin D supplements to strengthen my bones in the event of a fall and to prevent osteoporosis. I'm not elderly either.

Thanks for the kind sympathy! I've tripped a few times too, but this was my first fall. It just happened so quickly! I was on the ground, looking at the ceiling holding my wrist, and didn't really remember getting there.

And it sure wasn't about bone density for me. My bone scans have always been excellent, and I take lots of calcium and supplements as well. Like I said above, my doctor told me that broken wrists are usually not about being elderly and having brittle bones. They are usually the result of a very fit, active person taking a fall and using their excellent reflexes to get their arm out to cushion the fall. It takes good reflexes to get your arm out that fast. That's why little kids fall mostly on their faces....they don't have adult reflexes.

My advice... BE CAREFUL with the step routines. I never, ever thought I'd be one to fall... much less end up with a broken wrist. It can happen to anybody. To be honest, I am DONE with stepping! There are just too many other effective and fun ways to work out that are not as dangerous.

I will say that the main thing I have taken away from this is being able to empathize with those with injuries and broken bones. I always thought that it wouldn't happen to me. It can happen to any of us... young, old, active or sedentary. I will never again see someone in a cast without relating to what they're going through, and extending my sympathy and consolation.

 

[Worknprogress]

Gosh - my injuries are nothing compared to some of you!!!

I was fortunate not to break anything so lucky for me as soon as the "stinging" goes away I will start back.

For me, the worst part if my jaw. I have TMJ and falling directly onto my jaw - that seems to be getting stiffer. Looks like I will be visiting the specialist sooner than later!

JeanneMarie - Be carefuly with your wrist. My 5 y/o fractured his forearm and only one month later he refractured it just by falling onto it so go easy on yourself.

Lioness - I know how you feel. Although I've taken some falls - I can't stop running. I just got back into it after being lazy all winter and I quickly got addicted again!

Tralaiven - a few years ago I took up swimming which was new to me and broke my little toe after banging it into the side pool wall. Like you with cycling - I will not swim again!

Thanks for the sympathy and empathy from everyone and safe healing!!

 

[gettingfitmom]

I haven't fallen (yet) but I "slide" on rock salt that the township puts down in the winter. Have almost landedon my butt a few times...Hope you are feeling better!

 

[tralaiven]

I'm so sorry! It just happens so fast! When I fell over my step, I remember lying on the floor, holding my wrist, and thinking.... "I wonder if I'll be able to finish this step routine?" Then reality and pain set in, and I realized I would be going to the hospital, not finishing my step routine.

I am finally out of my cast, as of last week, (6 weeks) but my movement and flexibility is seriously inhibited. It will be months before I can get back to my regular workout routine... planks, push-ups, lifting weights... all of that is out of the question for now. I am running, but I didn't stop that even with my cast on. I am doing my Cathe workouts one handed. Last night I did Muscle Max with a weight in my left hand. My entire right arm is seriously atrophied and it's distressing.

Are you in a cast? Does it hurt? I had some pain, but honestly I've had more pain trying to move frozen joints and ligaments since the cast came off. I feel so bad for you. The cast phase is long and arduous. It's no fun and it will seem like forever. I will be thinking about you. Good luck and may you heal quickly!

hi JM: they could not cast me because of the difficult spot in which it broke...so I am in a sling and have exercises I am supposed to do every hour...I am so sorry about your wrist...It is a bummer to not be able to push ups..isn't it? I am not supposed to do any cardio or any thing that could possibly jostle my shoulder. by me doing the hourly exercises, they are trying to avoid the frozen joint syndrome like you wrote about....
when I injured myself I was exercising about 12 hrs a wk and now nothing.... I really miss it! On top of that... i cannot really do much of anything (Ican type w/ left hand though i am a rt-y)...I can't even shower myself...I look fwd to this period of my life being done, but until then will try and learn what I can from this bad spot...I am so happy for you that you can at least run and get some cardio on and a sweat......thanks so much for your good wishes,,,you have encouraged me that this will indeed end! blessings to you!

 

[pjlippert]

Holy cow, ladies!! Those ALL sound like super scary injuries and I pray for safer journeys in future workouts! Workinprogress- you get your body healed, girl!

Like some of you, you may remember I had a MAJOR spill off of my step a few years ago. On crutches and "the boot" (aka Frankenfoot!) for WAY too long because my stubborness drove me to workout and keep re-injuring my severely sprained ankle before I was properly healed.

Lesson... let your body heal properly and give it the love & attention it deserves.

Pam

 

[Repo]

Glad you're ok and glad that I'm not the only glutz out there......the last time I went to the ER they questioned my husband about abuse......so the next time I needed stitches( I stepped on a rake...just like a cartoon...popped up hit me right in the eyebrow) I super glued my head shut myself....when the glue came off...it took my eyebrow too....had to draw it in till it grew back.....hope you feel better soon.

 

[JeanneMarie]

hi JM: they could not cast me because of the difficult spot in which it broke...so I am in a sling and have exercises I am supposed to do every hour...I am so sorry about your wrist...It is a bummer to not be able to push ups..isn't it? I am not supposed to do any cardio or any thing that could possibly jostle my shoulder. by me doing the hourly exercises, they are trying to avoid the frozen joint syndrome like you wrote about....
when I injured myself I was exercising about 12 hrs a wk and now nothing.... I really miss it! On top of that... i cannot really do much of anything (Ican type w/ left hand though i am a rt-y)...I can't even shower myself...I look fwd to this period of my life being done, but until then will try and learn what I can from this bad spot...I am so happy for you that you can at least run and get some cardio on and a sweat......thanks so much for your good wishes,,,you have encouraged me that this will indeed end! blessings to you!

Tracy,

I wanted you to know you're in my thoughts. I SO know what you're going through, although it does sound as if you are more limited than I was. Even though I was in that horrible, heavy, hot cast, I could shower myself and do other things. I figured it all out left handed. I typed with my left hand too! It would take me so long to type anything because normally I am a fast touch typer. Everything was frustrating (and still is to some extent).

I understand the exercise frustration. It was the number one thing I was distressed about not being able to do. As I mentioned, I kept up my running after my cast was shortened (it started out to my shoulder and they did not want me jostling it), but my running has suffered. I have lost endurance and speed both, but I am just thankful I can still move. My wrist will not support any of my weight work or push ups, planks, etc for many more months. That dismays me more than I can say!

Prepare yourself for what your arm will look like when all this is over. My right arm, not having been used for 6 weeks, has atrophied. It is noticiably smaller than the other one. I know it will come back, but it really upsets me because I work so hard to have nice arms.

Your arm will heal. Just take it day by day. I had a little monthly calendar that I marked the days on. Each day I would X out one day, and do the same thing the next morning.

Message me if you like. I'll be glad to talk when and if you need it. Good luck and hang in there, dear. I'm sending up healing prayers for you every day!

 

[Nanbo]

These posts are quite the reality check, aren't they?

I have had been wrestling with the idea of changing to morning workouts but now I'm pretty sure I'll just stick with the after-work schedule I've been on! I am very clumsy and tired at the time I'd want to workout (around 6am). On the weekends, I do just fine 2 hours after breakfast (around 9am), but I can't do that on the weekdays .

My DH has had several bad falls while running; one time his foot broke through a hidden water main lid and he fell up to his mid thigh (one leg down in the hole, the other one stretched out behind him up at ground level!). He has tripped on numerous metal signs laying flat in tall grass; uneven pavement, and fishing line that someone strung across the sidewalk! He's been bitten by 2 dogs and hit by 3 cars!!! Fortunately (and amazingly!!!) he has not been seriously injured (guardian angel???). And he still runs outside!!!!

 

[maddiesmum]

never fallen during a run, but whenever I go backpacking and hiking with my husband I fall all the time. just got back from 2 weeks in the Colorado Rockies--ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!!! You guessed it, I fell at least once per day. I have arms and legs sporting bruises, cuts, scrapes. Whatever. For me it is par for the course and I don't really care too much. I am getting better as my balance seems to be improving but my husband never falls and he looks at me wondering what I am doing lying on the forest floor....... I think it is because I am too tall for my feet! never mind. it never stops me from engaging in my favourite activities. And really, how could it? In the middle of the wilderness, you have to get back up and just keep going, on to the next pass, river crossing,. next snow field traverse.....

My husband did actually fall this time out because he tripped over the loops in his laces which had caught on the grommet on the boot of the other foot. he had a beavy pack on and fell hard on his right shoulder. he didn't lose use of it, thank heavens, because I could not have carried both packs on my own. But it was sore and his range of motion was reduced for a while. And no, it will not stop him from backpacking and hiking again next year.

I think if you are physically active and relish challenging your body, accidents are going to happen, just like injuries. Get right back on the horse, I say, as soon as possible.

Hope you are OK and all healing nicely,

Clare

 

[runninggal]

I haven't posted on this forum in a long time, but when I saw this topic, I had to chime in.
I have been a runner for over 30 years (I'm 51), and have never fallen, until last summer. Early on a Saturday morning, I was running on a path that I had run on hundreds of times before. The path was riddled with bumps from tree roots, pushing up thru the blacktop, but I was careful to navigate around them. Just one moment of distraction... I caught the toe of my running shoe on a root and I was flying thru the air. There was no time to think about how to land. My arms were outstretched and took the brunt of the fall. The pain in my left shoulder was incredible and I knew it had to be broken. Unfortunately, I was running so early that no one was around. I had to walk a mile back to my house, talking to myself, so I wouldn't go into shock.
Long story short... my shoulder was broken in 4 places and required an open surgery, a metal plate, and 6 screws to put my humerus back together. That was September 2010. Four months later, in January 2011, I needed another surgery because my range of motion was only 25% of normal and I had a frozen shoulder from all the scar tissue. It has been 10 months since my fall and I have regained about 90% of my range of motion. It has been a rough, painful road, but I have percervered and taken control of my own recovery. I found yoga as a result of this accident and it has played a huge part in getting my ROM back. Also, I started running again in February, one month after my 2nd surgery.
For anyone who has been thru something simialr, it's life altering, to say the least, but there have been gifts as well.

Sarah

 

[JeanneMarie]

I haven't posted on this forum in a long time, but when I saw this topic, I had to chime in.
I have been a runner for over 30 years (I'm 51), and have never fallen, until last summer. Early on a Saturday morning, I was running on a path that I had run on hundreds of times before. The path was riddled with bumps from tree roots, pushing up thru the blacktop, but I was careful to navigate around them. Just one moment of distraction... I caught the toe of my running shoe on a root and I was flying thru the air. There was no time to think about how to land. My arms were outstretched and took the brunt of the fall. The pain in my left shoulder was incredible and I knew it had to be broken. Unfortunately, I was running so early that no one was around. I had to walk a mile back to my house, talking to myself, so I wouldn't go into shock.
Long story short... my shoulder was broken in 4 places and required an open surgery, a metal plate, and 6 screws to put my humerus back together. That was September 2010. Four months later, in January 2011, I needed another surgery because my range of motion was only 25% of normal and I had a frozen shoulder from all the scar tissue. It has been 10 months since my fall and I have regained about 90% of my range of motion. It has been a rough, painful road, but I have percervered and taken control of my own recovery. I found yoga as a result of this accident and it has played a huge part in getting my ROM back. Also, I started running again in February, one month after my 2nd surgery.
For anyone who has been thru something simialr, it's life altering, to say the least, but there have been gifts as well.

Sarah

Sarah!

Wow! (((hugs))) You have been through it haven't you? I feel so bad for you, yet you sound as if you are upbeat and haven't let this get you down. It's hard. Very hard... the temptation to feel sorry for yourself is almost overwhelming at times isn't it?

I did take away some pretty good lessons from my experience, as I am sure you did. The main one was the ability to have empathy for those with injuries.

I may have said this upthread, so if I'm repeating myself just attribute it to my advancing (54) age! My doctor told me that active, fit women are the main folks who break arms and wrists.... two reasons... we're out there participating in activities where we're prone to have mishaps, and two... we're fit and athletic and have good reflexes... that is why our arms and wrists are outstretched to catch our fall...which means they break.

I am glad you have most of your range of motion back. What an ordeal you have been through. It makes me so thankful my situation wasn't worse. I worry every day about getting my range of motion back, but I am only 10 days out of the cast. Patience... patience.

May you continue to heal and thrive, and thanks for sharing your story!

 

[runninggal]

Sarah!

Wow! (((hugs))) You have been through it haven't you? I feel so bad for you, yet you sound as if you are upbeat and haven't let this get you down. It's hard. Very hard... the temptation to feel sorry for yourself is almost overwhelming at times isn't it?

I did take away some pretty good lessons from my experience, as I am sure you did. The main one was the ability to have empathy for those with injuries.

I may have said this upthread, so if I'm repeating myself just attribute it to my advancing (54) age! My doctor told me that active, fit women are the main folks who break arms and wrists.... two reasons... we're out there participating in activities where we're prone to have mishaps, and two... we're fit and athletic and have good reflexes... that is why our arms and wrists are outstretched to catch our fall...which means they break.

I am glad you have most of your range of motion back. What an ordeal you have been through. It makes me so thankful my situation wasn't worse. I worry every day about getting my range of motion back, but I am only 10 days out of the cast. Patience... patience.

May you continue to heal and thrive, and thanks for sharing your story!

Thank you for those thoughtful, kind words, JeanneMarie! You are so right, there are lessons to be learned from the challenging experiences we have had to endure. I too have much more sympathy/empathy toward others with injuries. When I was in a sling, post-op with the first surgery, strangers would stop and speak to me in public places, like the grocery store and farmer's market, giving me words of sympathy and encouragement. Amazing. Now, in turn, I do the same.
In regard to your doctor's observation about active women, of our age, who sustain injuries...I read my surgeon's op report and in it he referred to me as a "young, athletic, fit woman." He also told me that because I was fit when the injury occurred, I would recover faster and regain 100% of my ROM. Without him knowing it, his words have inspired me and given me the determination to recover fully.

You too will recover fully. Have faith and percervere. I am sending you healing thoughts