Back in the saddle?

I just typed a whole entry and it got erased!  Oh well, I'm glad to finally be running again, after an excuse-filled week and a half with no running.  The run felt surprisingly easy after many days off, and it was a beautiful evening (shorts and a tank top).  I didn't wear a watch.

Thanks to those of you who checked in with me while I was being lazy!

True to my profile, I have let life get in the way of my running for three reasons.  1.  I still have some lingering discouragement from the marathon.  2.  We are remodeling our master bath, so it throws a little kink into our routine, and we are always having to go pick out tile, lights, etc.  3.  (main reason) I tend to let stress consume me.  I know a lot of people have jobs that are just as stressful as mine (or even more so), but I just have not learned yet how to shut it off when I leave the office.  I have one case in particular right now that keeps me up at night.  Even on our ski vacation last week, and at a Suns game before that, my mind was consumed with this case.  I couldn't even sleep on the ski trip!  It has gotten a little better lately, hence the running today.  I am hoping with time I will get better at dissociating myself from work when I leave, except when absolutely necessary.  This is something I need to work through for many reasons, not just the running.

In any event, I am SO glad I ran tonight.  One day at a time...

Good run, another beautiful, shorts and tank top evening.  Total time was 46:55, a 9:23 average pace.  I tried to concentrate on my form during certain segments of the run.  The pace felt a little more difficult than it should have, but I guess that's what I get when I'm lazy and slack off on the running!

Oh my goodness.  Next weekend is my half marathon, so I thought I would do at least 10 miles, maybe up to 13 today.  I started running and felt great, so I planned to turn around at 5 and work in an extra loop to get in 12.  I was getting really excited because I was surprised at how good I felt, given my lazy running lately.

Then, the unthinkable happened.  I FELL!  And not just a little stumble, either.  I fell on concrete, breaking the fall with my right knee (all bloody now), right hip, right wrist, elbow, and shoulder!  Oh, and also my Garmin and garage door opener.  I still don't really know how it happened.  I was running about a 9:20 pace at the time.  It HURT!  Of course, I started crying (I always cry!), and I think I was kind of in shock.  Luckily, a Good Samaritan pulled over immediately.  She had to help me stand up, and I realized immediately my run was over.  She drove me home, which was so sweet.

Now, assessing the damage, I think I will be fine, but I will not be able to run for a couple of days.  My knee really hurts, but I can't tell right now if it's just from skinning it up badly, or if I bruised it internally.  My wrist is a little stiff, but my elbow hurts the most.  I can't really move it.  I'll wait a day or two and reassess then.  And, my garage door opener is completely broken!  And my Garmin is all scratched up, but it seems to still work OK.

Now, it's time for laundry and cleaning for the Del Sol runners staying at my house tonight!  I'm going to milk this fall for all it's worth and make my husband do the cleaning!