Non-Skating-Related Injury

 I haven't had much to write about lately because I took a non-skating-related spill in the first month of December.  I'd been using skating as my social cardio, taking the place of the weekly run club I had belonged to.  While I haven't regularly gone to those meets for some time, I do still sign up for 5K races, if the theme is fun enough.

I had signed up for this downtown Tampa Hot Chocolate 5K a year ago.  I was dressed in a Christmas theme (I don't like to do a race if there isn't potential for a fun outfit).  Early on, the race course took us to a drawbridge, which has a large-holed metal grate along the parts that move up for the ships--probably for aerodynamic purposes, but not very inviting to run on.  I saw it coming up and said, "What?  What is this?  We're expected to run on this?" And guess what?  I fell.

I hadn't fallen while running before.  If I had been on the rink, I'd have had pads over every part that I injured on that metal grate: both knees, my left palm, and my right elbow.  As I fell forward, I must've rolled to the side, because I had some serious scrapes on the back of my shoulder as well.

I'd written recently about the feeling of suddenly being still and on the floor in a setting where everyone around you is whizzing by.  There I was, again.  Some people shouted out, "Are you okay?" when they saw me, and I remember mumbling to myself, "I will be."  It was quite difficult to get up, as I had no uninjured spot to press into the ground to right myself.  One of my first thoughts was, "I guess I can't skate this week," which really distressed me!

I was VERY fortunate that Wayne (my boyfriend) had decided to run with me this time.  He's a serious runner and we usually split up for races so I can go at my usual (slow) pace.  After I got up, he walked with me to the sidewalk, and as we continued forward to find help, I assessed all my damage.  My Christmas sweater covered my elbow and shoulder in the fall, but those were also some of the most cut-up areas.  By the time we made it back to the start (about .6 miles), both knees had scabbed, so I only needed Band-aids for my hand and elbow.  My shoulder was burning, but I hadn't taken my sweater off yet.

We made it back to the car--Wayne helped me get in, and out again at the house.  It hurt to bend my knees at all--I hurt pretty much everywhere--and I winced in pain as I settled with my legs out straight on the couch.  Wayne brought me 2 ice packs for my knees, which I rotated with my shoulder and elbow, and some Advil.  My mom texted that I should have some whiskey, because I realized I was shaking all over, and it would help with the shock.  I remember my tiny whiskey teacup shaking in my hand and the liquid almost spilling out.

It was difficult to stand up and sit down, to use the stairs, and to walk.  I found a new approach to the stairs--I'd overexaggerate my hip movements so I could keep my legs as straight as possible.  It was probably a week and a half before I was going up and down the stairs one foot at a time.  It was hard to find a comfortable way to sleep.  I kept finding new bruises as the days went on, including one on my face by my jaw, which was startling.  Everything hurt to the touch, no matter how gentle, and even now (4 weeks later) I still can't lean on my elbow or knees.

I've missed 3 Mondays of skating, but I noticed a significant change in how I felt on New Year's Eve.  I started some physical therapy exercises from the internet, and I have full use of my knees now!  I'll be back this week, and I'm excited to return!