Concrete 1 Kimberly 0On Monday, I arose bright and early determined to incorporate a run into my morning ritual. Things were looking up. I was running along the bluffs enjoying the pinks overlacing the Pacific waves, proud of myself for seeing the remants of the sunrise. I reached my turnaround, a wooden platform atop of wooden stairs leading down to the beach. Prior to the stairs, I made my turn unaware of the slick surface. My feet couldn't catch traction, I felt my feet going out and ground quickly approaching. I tried to brace my fall and I seemed to stop in midair and see where my left temple would crash against the concrete. I swallowed a sob as my head richocheted off the ground. For a second I kept my body still and surprisingly felt no pain and tried to evaluate the damage. I was still conscious, a definite plus. The impact hit. Pain seared through my head and my knee. With trepidation, I touched my temple expecting to pull away with a bloody hand. Instead, only dirt came off on my sleeve. I wiped it again, the pain and the impact were so great, I couldn't imagine that I hadn't broken the skin. This time, I felt my brow begin to swell. I checked my knee, more dirt, probably a road burn. It was at this point that I realized my Ipod was still going. I pulled out the earplugs feeling betrayed by my favorite soundtrack. The morning was so tranquil but I was in so much pain and felt so alone. I held my head in my hands and cried. Big gulping tears, I allowed myself that indulgence before brushing off and standing up, determined to run home. A little tumble wouldn't put me out or so I thought. As soon as I stood up, I realized how unrealistic this was. My head was still swelling and pounding. I felt sick to my stomach. I remembered I had brought my cellphone and Meghan had been up when I left. I dialed her number and got her voicemail. I tried to keep my voice steady as I told her I had fallen and needed her to come pick me up in my car. As soon as I was finished, she called and agreed to come get me.
So that was Monday. It's been a hard week. I have a minor concussion and a black eye. I have been on a constant stream of Aleve and people trying not to stare, I'm sure making the wrong assumptions but not wanting to acknowledge that I look like I have been hit. The first few days I oscillated between nauseous and exhausted. I couldn't read for very long and typing made me dizzy and sick to my stomach. Finally, I feel better only noticing it when I accidentally touch it or my Aleve runs out. I know I am lucky. I could have really injured myself but it still scares me. I have only fallen once before on a run (in over ten years) and that time I just had a bruised shoulder and ego.
Just today I realize how suspect it sounds that it came from a fall during a run. It has almost made me realize how rare this kind of injury this is. Most people twist an ankle or scrape a knee but I managed to get a concussion and a shiner. I don't know if I would believe me. The first few days my temple was bruised too but now the bruise has migrated to encompass my left eye. With no scrapes, it does seem to be hard to believe.
So that's my week. School does not stop for the tender-headed so I have been struggling to take care of myself and get enough work done as not to draw too much attention or get too behind. Next week we'll try the morning runs again, but this time I am taking another path. Preferrably something soft with no slippery surfaces. I may also wear a helmet.
