I went for a run the other day. A route I’ve run hundreds, if not thousands of times.
My left foot got caught on a rock. And I fell.
My first thought once my knees and hands hit the rough pavement, “What the hell?”
Then I looked to my right thinking, “Did that car see me fall? How embarrassing!”
I checked in with my body – Am I hurt? My palms had small marks from the pebbles, but no blood. My knees were ok, too.
I stood up and literally “shook it off”. I took a deep breath in and out, still in disbelief.
I ran home.
“I can’t believe I fell,” I kept repeating to myself.
As soon as I returned home, I yelled up to my husband, “Hey Michael! Guess what! I fell this morning while running! Can you believe that?!” I shook my head one final time in disbelief. Then I laughed.
After more than 15 years of running, this was the first time I ever fell.
In life do you fear the unknown? Instead of taking a bold step in a new direction, do you stay with the comfort of what you know because it’s safer that way? I’m training for my first triathlon this summer and need to get on my bike and in the pool. But running is so easy and comfortable! The truth is, sometimes even the comfort I know well (running or otherwise!) can be unsafe. I need to stay alert, be aware and if I fall, remember to keep my sense of humor handy to help me get back up.
The next time I hit the streets for a bit of exercise, I rode my bike.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Stacey, nice to land on your blog from The Bold Life.
This was a nice short story. I enjoy reading lessons from other people’s experiences as I have documented many of my own.
To answer your question whether or not I fear the unkown, I absolutely do. For example, recently on my blog I started to interview people. I didn’t know what they were going to say or how the interview was going to turn out, but I went through it anyway. Like you, after I heard myself talk, I just laughed.
Sometimes our experiences need to be laughed about instead of taken so seriously.
Thanks for this post and good luck in training for your first triathlon Stacey!
Hey Stacey,
So….interesting conversation I had the other day…
Not about running – although I think it’s related to this.
We were talking “fears”, and what came up for me – one of the things that can sometimes hold me back is exactly that – this idea of embarrassment. Okay – first off, it didn’t feel good even admitting this. Second, though – sometime we do “fall”. And not just when we’re out on a run. Sometimes we “fall” in life. And truthfully (for me, anyway) – that can happen whether it’s something I’ve done many times (i.e. like your running) or in something new. My take away on all of this: so, if I might fall anyway (right) – why not step into that fear and try that “new” thing. (okay – easy for me to say, harder for me to do). Anyway, writing it out helps. Thanks Stacey!! See – your fall was a good thing (well, maybe not for your hands, etc). It’s good for me – as I process all of this….
Good luck on that TRIATHLON!!! It’ll be a piece of cake! (mmmm….cake….)
Hi Hulbert! Thanks for stopping by. I agree, sometimes we need to stop taking ourselves so seriously!
Lance – You crack me up! Seriously…Definitely related, because what I learned can apply to any aspect of life, not just running. Maybe there will be cake at the Triathlon finish line!
Stacey,
I can totally relate, because I’ve been running on the beach for years, and last year I decided to run along a paved walk….by a busy road…and I fell–first time in my entire running career….Wiped right out and the pavement skinned my knees which hurt but it was more the surprise of falling. I first blamed my feet–what were you thinking we’ve done this one million times, my mind what were *you* thinking leading me along pavement, my heart what were you thinking just enjoying the sunshine??? LOL I talk to myself all of the time:)
It’s how I embrace life too…when I get too comfortable within a routine, I break it up by trying something new and different..which is usually tons of fun, but sometimes, shoot sometimes i “fall”. And I try to have a sense of humor about it, then get back up and either try again, or go on to something different.
I’m not at all afraid of the unknown…I used to be, but in the last few years I embrace the unknown because there are so many treasures within it, as many treasures as that I *know* and already love:). When I get scraped, I assess it, clean it, then move on…..
Most of the time we become too complacent that we loose our focus. Life has many surprises, change comes in ways that we don’t expect.
What a lovely story to illustrate such an important point. I have a huge fear of the unknown, and I’ve let that fear “interfere” with my life on many occasions. But, truth is, even the known can be unsafe, so what’s stopping us from exploring the equally unsafe, but exciting unknown??
Hi Stacey .. we feel such fools don’t we … I don’t run on the streets .. but used to fall over chasing squash balls around the court .. and the dogs at my brother’s house pulled me over in front of some passing walkers .. I was miffed!!! But as you say – we all get up and dust ourselves off and start off again .. perhaps shakily … but we’re there. We can learn as you say too – concentration is key .. the being in the now .. glad you’re ok though & good luck with the triathlon practising .. have fun – Hilary
Hi Stacey,
Of course I’m the klutz that’s fell multiple times. Especially on ice in the winter. The black ice you can’t see. Once while running to my mom about seven miles away about 15 years ago I was running on a snowy afternoon and bam and I heard my head crack (LOL) but nothing happened except it scared me. I didn’t even have a headache.
Another time was roller blading I hit a crack or something in the side walk and bam, my head hit hard again…
Those were two of the worst…I think when I’m in the zone if I don’t pay attention I’m more likely to fall.
Now at 56 I rarely roller blade and I’m cautious when I hike. I know it’s because I fear my bones breaking (I’m very small boned) and that just makes me mad about women and bone density crap.
I’ve never been drawn to yoga and I’ve just took my first class this week because I know I need it for stretching and flexibility. So I’m going to learn to like it. I gotta do what I gotta do.
Wow good luck on your tri and please pass the cake, Lance!
Hi Joy – thanks for sharing your story! I’ve been known to talk to myself during a run, too! And I like your process of moving forward.
Walter – I couldn’t agree more. We must always keep our eyes OPEN.
Claire – A question I ask myself often….why is there so much fear and where does it come from! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Hilary – When we’re present, we’re awake…I know on this particular morning I had “zoned” out!
Tess – thanks for sharing -how scary to hit your head. I had this vision of someday runners will also be running with helmets!…and good luck with yoga, it does definitely help!!
I know I’ve made too many decisions out of comfort. I’m learning to actually use my fear to make me more uncomfortable. When I do this I take my life to the next level.
That’s what we need to do. Keep improving every day by softly challenging ourselves.