Falling Down

After yesterday's sick day, I was really looking forward to my 4 mile run. I still felt a litte dehydrated and definitely had less than my usual amount of energy this morning. I could feel myself slowly losing steam as I reached the top of my second hill just a little before mile 2. As soon as I was over the hill it happened. I caught the tip of my shoe in an unven part of the sidewalk, and fell flat on my face. It seemed like it happened in slow motion, because I thought I was bringing myself upright was going to balance myself. However my momentum was going in a downward motion towards the curb. Scraped my knee, shoulder, hand and now have a swollen pinky. All minor, and I'm so thankful I didn't crash down any harder on my knee. Mostly it rattled me, and I was embarassed. I didn't trip in the dark either, I was under the brightest streetlight in the whole neighborhood, right at the entrance where all lights are blazing. Once I was able to recover and put my Garmin back together I was back on track. The last two miles were run at a bit of a slower pace, and my overall time was slower than usual, (though part of that time was spent lying prone on the sidewalk assesing my minor injuries.) Goes to show that running tired, or below my 100% health can be dangerous.

I am considering getting a headlamp to wear on these early morning jaunts. Even with streetlights at every corner, there are some big stretches of dark in my nieghborhood. Fuel Belt makes one that sells for a little over $20.00 and I think it would be a worthwhile accessory to add to my gear. Plus I am thinking the Mr. could wear it when he goes on an early morning bike ride as well. The trick will be finding out who sells one. If not I can always order it online. Just don't want to have to wait for it.