Running has been a two-sided sword lately. While I’ve always loved the serenity and calm, clarity and freedom I gained from running, it is still a sport and if you’re a little under the weather or simply a tad burnt out it can be a real challenge to complete a race. No more feeling like flying over those fields.

Before I went on my 3-week vacation mid-September I was definitely drained, both physically but even more so mentally. And thus I had to realize I wasn’t up to finishing the 10k race I had registered for. After 8k my mind simply shut down and my legs wouldn’t move anymore. I took this as a sign to slow down and seriously re-charge my batteries during my vacation.

I was successful and even though I caught the sniffles and stopped training alltogether for a couple of days, it seems like this was exactly what my body needed.

Thus regarched and mentally ready I got off to this year’s half-marathon of my choice around a most idyllic lake close by. All went well – until km 10…

And that’s when – for some still inexplicable reason – I not only fell, but flew for the briefest of moments and came crashing down on the gravel path: Ouch! It hurt. And once again not only physically but even more so mentally. I know it sounds aweful but I was kind of relieved to see another runner crash at the exact same spot I did only a minute later. Helped me not to feel too awkward… Horrible, I know.

Anyways, after getting cleaned up a little I tried to run on but in the end didn’t have the stomach to pull it through and turned around. I wanted to make sure I hadn’t cracked or torn anything. As luck would have it the halfway mark where I crashed was right where the boats crossed the lake so I was able to hop on and get myself chauffeured back to the finish line.

Luckily, I wasn’t seriously hurt. So the next day despite the road burn, bruising and horrible muscle aches I was able to get up – and even run. As my friend said: Get up on that horse again to avoid a mental block. And so I did. My dear Renntier (running deer :-)) friend took me back to the lake and “made” me finish the second half of the race. Just for the sake of it I added some extra 3-4k to show running who’s boss 🙂

Q: Did you ever crash badly enough to keep you from ever doing something again, say skiing, horseback riding, skating etc.?

Take care – seriously!
Yours truly,
S@m