I don’t usually run at night, but I was a bit behind on my training schedule. I had to get a run in, and even though it was late in the evening I was feeling good.
On this particular night there were lots of people out because of a festival in the city. That’s a bad thing.
Because I fell down.
Hard.
In public view.
Twice.
Within 1 minute.
I wish I could say it was because my legs were tired, but I was only about 8 minutes into my run. I honestly just tripped over two different cracks in the pavement. Both times I was directly behind someone. That’s a bad thing too, because both times I fell so hard that I managed to pass them on my descent. They were startled to the point that I’m surprised I didn’t get pepper spray in my face.
Anyway, here are some tips in case you ever fall down on your run.
- GET UP IMMEDIATELY. Tell everyone you are okay before you assess the situation. The last thing you want is to make a scene.
- LAUGH AT YOURSELF – In fact, pretend it was on purpose if you can.
- LET GO – If you’re carying anything, toss it before you hit the ground. Chances are your hands are going to hit the hardest. Twice I pancaked my iPhone as hard as I could in attempts to break my fall.
- ROLL IF YOU NEED TO – If you know people are watching, I’ve found that rolling 5 or 6 times when you hit the ground confuses people enough to prevent them from asking you if you’re okay.
Any other good advice for falling?
I remember falling one time but it was because a car did not stop at the stop sign and didn’t see me. At least I didn’t break anything and the guy felt really bad. Watch out for the pavement cracks they will come up and grab you!
Glad you didn’t get hit by the car!
2 tips in case you have to run in the dark:
Get an iphone holder for your arm. This leaves the hands free to catch you when you fall.
Get a forehead flashlight so that you can see where you are going.
I’d consider the arm band. But there is no way in hell I’m run-spelunking in my neighborhood.
Just tell them you are a hugger and you wanted to give Mother Earth a HUG!
Ok Jeff.
Roll behind a bush/car/dog then take a quick look around . When the coast is clear, move in a serpentine pattern to the next available cover. Lock and load…freedom isn’t free.
On a more serious note, unseen cracks on sidewalks are the reasons why I do my dark runs in the road. It helps that there are next to no cars out when I do them.
Bahahahahahaha!!!!! I too run in the street when it is dark. It also prevents scary boogey men from reaching out of the shadows and grabbing you.
I’ll start working on a post about what to do in that situation. By the way, I’ve met the boogey man. He’s really a nice guy – nothing to be afraid of. What am I talking about? This is weird. Bye
Serpentine! bahaha
Great pointers! About a year and half ago I set out on my standard 3.25 mile run as I have so many times before. As I rounded a bend and started a slight decent about .7 miles from my house I suddenly found myself barrel rolling across a yard. I said to myself “What in the world just happened?!” and quickly jumped to my feet realizing the folks across the street beginning to take steps towards me. “I’m good!! Thanks!” with a hand gesture and I started to continue on my path until I wisely decided it may not be the best life choice to continue my run. My ankle was hurting and stiff. I did an about face and began walking home. It took about 40 seconds before I began side stepping and dragging my left foot behind me. I only made it about half way home before I spotted a nice lady cleaning her garage. I swallowed my pride and asked if she could take me home. I tried to play it cool– just a sprain, right? Yeah, no. I went to the ER and had broken an ankle bone clear in two. I spent the next 6 weeks in a gray boot and deformed looking lower leg. I’ve often driven by that infamous spot since then…. armed with the above mentioned tips I may now attempt to run it again.
Wow. Great story! I can’t believe you even made it as far as you did on a broken ankle. And, way to go. You went about the situation exactly the right way.
How’s the iphone? You were just looking for a reason to upgrade to the 4S, huh?
It’s really run – battery life sucks though.
Immediately act like your sleeping and blame it on narcolepsy.
That is amazing. I will try this.
I hit hard once while running with my dog. I blamed her. She managed to escape the scene and was looking back at me like I was a freakshow. Which I was. Man’s best friend, huh.
I recently tripped over my dog while running. Did a belly flop in the middle of Georgia Gwinnet college. Class must have let out because kids were everywhere. I nodded to the “ohhhhh are you all right?” I limped off into the darkness with my bloddy knee, scraped elbows, and smashed (but still working) phone that had not broken my fall. What I hated the most was I tripped over the dog 1/2 mile into a 10 mile run. I spent the other 9.5 miles hoping my knee would clot. My dog shows no remorse.
I fell once when running and completely hit the pavement, gashing my elbow and knee. What I learned then is that it helps to have an extra article of clothing to tourniquet bleeding appendages so you can still run back home. ; ) Also? Look out for curbs. They like to jump out at runners.
Actually, there is a martial technique to falling called Ukemi so you can avoid broken bones, etc.
http://judoinfo.com/ukemi.htm
I once did my entire run on an icy morning (yeah, I know). I made the entire 7 miles without falling and I was very happy with myself. When I get home, it’s an OCD tradition that I have to do a little hop up onto my front steps. You can see where this is going. I hit a patch of black ice, bounced down the steps on my back and wound up cracking a rib. Literally, the last freaking step after 7 miles. Moral of the story: don’t run when it’s icy, don’t do celebratory hops and you’re not done with your run until you’re done. Last step included.