Case Solved!

I've been getting outside to walk 2 miles every 2-3 days in the last week.  I know that doesn't seem like much when you're a runner and enjoy long runs.  But it is good for me now.  I've done this three times.  The drawback is that that afternoon and the next day or two my shoulder is really sore.  I have NO idea why!  So when I walk, I take it easy and go slowly...thinking I will "work through" this period safely.  I've also started doing my squats again.  I'm staying at 75-80 a day for now but will increase another 10 squats soon.  I was up to 200 when I fell.  But I'm in no hurry to increase. 

Now, for explanation of my title.  Today Kent and I walked at the Sportsplex for the first time since my accident.  I really wanted to examine the place I fell and rearranged my left shoulder.  I just could not believe that I had "tripped" for the third time!  No one except me really knew where the accident actually happened.  But when I saw the ground, I knew it.  It was like a nightmare experienced all over again.  Fear ran down the back of my neck and wanted to get out of the area soon and avoid any further "incidents". 

Frank and I were running on concrete through the soccer fields that day.  We were slowing down as we were at the turnaround at the end of the fields.  It forms a circle and as I began to enter the circle, I fell.  Looking closely at that place today, I noticed that every 3-4 concrete sections were filled with a rubber substance.  Guess it was for swelling and shrinking due to weather...I don't know.  The place I fell had rubber in the crack and there was a piece of it missing along with the fact that it had "overflowed" and was raised in that section.  The missing piece belonged to ME!!  Ahhh-ha!!!  That's it!  As my foot went across the crack, the rubber from my shoe grazed across the rubber in the crack making it "grab" my shoe and down I went.  I can't believe I could put this together so easy.

Immediately, I felt such a sense of relief knowing that I had NOT tripped as originally thought.  As much as my body was aching to run again, I was filled with anxiety of not wanting to for fear of tripping and falling again.  Now, I am released from that fear knowing that this could have happened to anyone at any time.  Maybe I am not a clutz as I was beginning to see myself with a "past" of running and no future fun in it.

I am excited now to heal and get moving again.  Of course, with caution.  And, have decided not to run in that area again because I don't think anyone can avoid stepping on the cracks every time and I certainly don't want a repeat of my situation.  Pavement will be my surface of choice for a while...and maybe even for good...with the exception of bridges, which I LOVE to run.  The concrete on those have wide enough cracks and there are no "fill-ins" on them. 

As I am write this, I am really sore again.  It happens every time after my walks.  Rest and recuperation is the plan for the rest of the day.  I will continue to find some kind of exercise I can do avoiding my upper body.  I will heal the best I can and do what I can.  That's all that is expected from anyone at any time.  I am looking forward to being on the road again...whenever that will be...and am excited that I will be able to

Run 4 It [as soon as possible, of course]