My ego hurts

I've been running consistently for the last six years of my life. Most runs happen without incident (other than me whining in my head about the fact that I'm 'OMGexercising instead of watching TV', but I digress) and I generally return from a run at peace with my life and in a great (for me) mood. Running is seriously the best therapy ever (aside from beer/wine/any form of liquor.)

Any runner will tell you that not every run is a good run. In fact, based on my completely unscientific data, I'd say that at least half of all runs are either 'meh' or bad. 10% (again, based on my totally unscientific data) are downright awful. Perhaps you get approached by someone sketchy, nearly get run over by a cyclist (on the mother effing sidewalk when there are four bike lanes on the street you're running on) or maybe you've managed to injure yourself. Whatever the reason, these runs are almost enough to make you question why you're running in the first place.

Today I had a run in the 10% category.

I was hesitant to even run today because my quads were sore (actually, not just sore - they were on fucking fire) from my other workouts this week (including a 10 minute online Barre3 workout that I assumed would be easy and relaxing and 'stretchy.' I cannot tell you how off my assumption was.) However, in the interest of not wasting my lunch hour going down the GOMI rabbit hole and/or getting my 'basic bitch' on with a PSL from Starbucks, I decided to do one last run so that I could take Friday and Saturday off.

The run started off fine - a little slow, but I was in good spirits overall. After the first half-mile I found my groove and was cruising along, despite the heat (and nearly getting run over by the aforementioned fucking cyclist that refuses to use the bike lane, engineered especially for that purpose.) I started to struggle a little as I approached the half-way mark/turnaround point, but I wanted to tough it out (especially since the half-way point is at an intersection that can take forever to get across...it makes for a nice resting point.)

Just as I started to push through and pick up the pace a bit, I tripped over what I assume was an uneven sidewalk. I felt the front of my foot hit something...then somehow I went flying with both feet off the ground (all I could think of before I hit the ground was 'fuck, this is going to hurt'.) I landed on my left side, mostly on my elbow, but with both palms on the sidewalk. My left buttock (seriously, is there not a better term for this?) and thigh also took a lot of the impact. It's worth noting the giant thud/body slap noise I made when I landed.

I sat on the ground for a few seconds, feeling generally defeated (it hasn't exactly been the best week ever) and I started crying. Not because I was hurt (though, I didn't feel great,) but because it was just one more thing to add to my list of 'first world problems' I'm experiencing right now. I got up as quickly as I could and surveyed the damage. My elbow and both palms were bleeding (thankfully, not profusely) and from what I could tell, my capris didn't rip (though, I was wearing cute underwear...unlike the last time it happened.) Honestly, at that point my ego was probably more bruised than anything...because falling on a busy street, in front of a bus stop with people isn't exactly my idea of a good time.

I actually managed to jog most of the way back to the office (it's worth noting that my playlist was on shuffle mode and 'Bad Blood' came on...It's like the universe knew that's what I needed at that moment) I finally got back to the office, whined to some coworkers and cleaned myself up as best I could before I changed out of my workout gear...which is now covered in dirt and dust (I decided to skip the cute sweater and boots I was wearing earlier and opted for a sweatshirt and TOMS...also? thank goodness I keep extras of this stuff in my office.)

Trying to clean the wounds was more painful at that point than the wounds themselves.  I bandaged my elbow as best one can with such a 'bendy' part of the body (I also think I may have some gravel/asphalt embedded in my palm...but it hurts to deal with. I'm also super-duper thankful for the ER nurse who came barreling at me with a tetanus booster the last time I was in the ER, for a much worse fall that involved slamming my head and blacking out for a few seconds.) Now that I'm a few hours out, I'm feeling rather uncomfortable. My elbow and palms are stinging (yet, I'm still typing) and I'm sore all over. My back is sore, my left leg is sore, my wrists are sore, etc.

I know I'll totally recover in a few days and will likely be itching to run before the weekend is over. It's not my first fall during a run (heck, the last two times landed me in urgent care/ER) and, unfortunately, I'm sure it won't be my last.

In the meantime, I plan on going easy for a few days, save for doing a pre-natal Barre3 workout (I'm not with child, but I figure I could benefit from the modified moves until I get my strength and balance up...because that workout is among the more difficult ones I've done.) I'm also super thankful that I put the Chicago Marathon on hold until 2016 and I'm not training for my usual October half. It feels weird to skip out on stuff this year, but it's so nice to not have the pressure (more on this later...maybe. I suck at blogging regularly.)

So, how's your Thursday going?

**my mouse is being a total a-hole, so most of my sidebar/parenthesis are just in regular font. Maybe I'll fix it at a later date...or not.