Set myself the goal of running 14km this morning and got out the door bright and early and full of enthusiasm. After an initial problem with a gremlin sabotaging my playlist, by the end of my 5 minute walk I had got it sorted and was off.
I was quite excited to try a new branch to a previous route, and ran steadily to get to the guided busway.
I usually run along it with my running buddy 🏃🏿♂️,and always been tempted by the Blows Downs Running alongside. He won’t do hills, so we stay on the pathway. But today, being alone, I was soon running across the meadow, through the gate, and up a rocky pathway towards the top.
And then the sun came out... ☀️I know this wouldn’t cause most people a problem, but my vestibular problems, means sudden changes in lighting cause room spinning dizziness. This combined with a rogue tree stump embedded in the path (those gremlins were out to get me) caused me not just to stumble but to take a full blown fall onto the ground. Attempting to break my fall with my right hand, I hit the deck, then bounced into a softer landing.
Unfortunately the soft landing was a dense bush of nettles.
I was completely winded, unable to breath, lying in the nettles with my hand starting to throb. It took me a while to get my breath back, and eventually got myself off the ground. I was 7km from home and over a km from the nearest road. The skin on my arm and legs was starting to swell with the nettle stings, so it was a rather tearful Razouski who left an incomprehensible message on hubby’s voicemail. Thankfully he was still at home, phoned me back and soon setoff with the car to try and find me.
I managed to drag my sorry self down the path and back to the road to await my knight in shining armour.
At home he helped me into the shower and was so concerned by the expanse of the stinging Googled a home made remedy which involved painting me with a solution of bicarbonate of soda. It worked wonders on the swelling, made no difference to the pain and looked ridiculously white against my mixed race skin tone!!!
And then I realised that the base of my thumb was painful and about twice it’s normal size - moving it was, not great.
So to cut a long story short - 2 hours in A&E, x-rays, probable fracture, hand/thumb splinted, skin feels like it’s burning and I’m still feeling sorry for myself. Mostly because the doctor questioned if running was a suitable pastime for someone with my dizziness and balance problems. And I know my running buddy will enjoy an “I told you so “ moment when he finds out.
Who said running is good for you? 🤷🏽♀️
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Razouski
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Oh Razouski , so sorry to hear this. You truly had a bad morning. I hope that, on review, you won't have a fracture after all. Heal quickly! Have you tried an antihistamine tablet for the nettle stings? x
I found a tube of calomine in the cupboard, so I’ve tried that on my leg. Also found a tube of antihistamine cream while I was looking and slapped that on my arm. If one works I will then slather it generously over the rest of the sting areas. Thanks for the sugge. 😀
I will conquer Blows Down another time. It’s beautiful up there. But for the moment just trying to work out how long I need to be on the IC before I can get out and run again.
It was the doc at the hospital who questioned my choice if running. I won’t let him put me off. And yes, thank goodness my hips and knees are only bruised and stung and. It injured so hopefully it won’t be too long before I’m running again.
Ouch that sounds so painful! On all counts 😩 but I'm a great fan of B of soda for all sorts of things. It's not so good when it starts to flake off though. You leave a snowy trail everywhere you go.
I hope you heal up soon and don't tell the running buddy ANYTHING.
I once had an inner ear infection episode, worst experience of my life,uncontrollable, so I cannot imagine what you went through and more as per your post.
Thank you for your inspiritation and take care of you.💫🏃♀️💫
Oh no .. glad hubbie was still around for you. Doesn't sound like a pleasant experience at all. Fingers crossed the thumb calms down quickly and the stinging. Don't let this put you off - sounds like a rotten dose of bad luck.
Running is dangerous? I fell over in a playground yesterday, smack onto my left knee and right hand. I can’t tell you how ridiculously painful it is, let’s hope it all holds out for my run tomorrow. It must be 40 odd yrs since I last had a grazed knee scab. I doubt if my granddaughter will tell me it is too dangerous to go again, but she did kiss it better. I hope you feel better soon and get up that hill.
At least there was no one to see me fall. I used to fall over at school when I first had my ear damage and the parents thought I was drunk. Not good when you’re the Deputy Head. 😀
Oh my God, sounds like a nightmare, poor you I got pushed into a nettle patch when I was young and my mum put me in a Dettol bath but I wouldn't recommend this! I hope that you feel better very soon, I bet you are a tough cookie but I can imagine that this is all a lot to deal with! A cold wet towel might help soothe the burning (together with a large G & T) and plenty of TLC.
I know it's good for me, and I often fall because of the problem with my inner ear, it's just not normally so spectacular. I just want to be ready to slink off and prove that I can do this hill again.
Sorry to hear that. Is it affecting your balance? When my damage first happened I couldn’t even walk or crawl, so I shouldn’t really grumble. Most of the time I’m used to managing it, but just occasionally it takes me by surprise.
Sorry to hear this !😕 I had a friend who took a tumble into nettles at the end of a HM over here last yr and I remember her saying how painful it was but along with the thumb too-ouch!
Thanks aliboo70 I don't usually mind a few nettle stings, but this was a complete covering which is why I think it was so painful. I've got some lovely colours on my hand a wrist this morning
Oh, no, you poor thing! So sorry about the break. i get the spinning thing too, but it comes and goes and hasn't affected my running yet. As for the stinging nettles, they are very potent at present; I brushed my bare shin against one recently on a run and it felt literally like a bad burn. Your story is why I never run without my phone. Will you be able to still run with the thumb? Fingers and toes crossed all is healed soon. Hugs xxx
Ah, but then Mr I dont snore is merciless- he thinks you should keep running if your leg is hanging off - so it must be nice to have a protctive partner x
I prescribe a nice big pot of nettle soup by way of revenge (also, tasty and good for you)
That sounds like a really rotten fall, I hope you recover everything, including confidence, very soon. When I came off my bike and planted my face in nettles I think it 'buzzed' for 48 hours.
Feeling much better now thank you. But hubby has banned me from going to the gym today - and as my car is in for an MOT I can’t even sneak off without him knowing. 😁
Only just read your post. It’s one of those where you start with ‘oh no’ then ‘Oh No’ followed by OH NO. Hope you’re recovering. I’m told it does your body good to have some down time so try and see this as a positive rest which will only make you stronger when you get back to it. And when you do, avoid running close to nettles.
Thanks Irish-John, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself yesterday but feeling a lot better now. I just don’t want to be on the IC for too long. Fingers crossed I’ll be able to run in a few days (if I can sneak out when hubby’s not looking).
Oh I didn’t want to put anyone off, which is why I didn’t post in C25K. I am sure you will be fine. I have an ongoing problem with my inner ear which means I get room spinning dizziness, loss of balance etc when I encounter changes in the ground texture and changes in lighting. So I am prone to falling regardless of what I’m doing, so please don’t let this deter you. I am also completely deaf in one ear with partial deafness in the other, but it’s not stopped me from running so far.
Oh no Razouski...what a terrible experience for you??? I’m nearly in tears reading this!! Running 14km’s is not good for me I can tell you....without even trying it!!! Thank goodness Hubby was at home & able to rescue you, although I’m sure that wherever he was he would’ve rushed to help you....hopefully you won’t be on the IC for any time but you need to rest up & recover from your ordeal...cooling, anti-itching hug coming your way xxx
Thanks Mummycav. Yes it was so good he was home, and he’s been really supportive. I’m just trying to persuade him that I don’t need to be on the IC for too long. 😀
Poor you, so sorry to hear this, I am sure you will all mend soon and it won't be long before you put yourself out there again in this very dangerous sport! Take care x
Oh, poor you! Your determination to keep on running is fantastic - balance problems of the ear are awful (and I have never suffered with like you have - had viral labyrintitis once and it was horrible!) Hope you are back out there soon.🙂
I started off with labrynthritis but the damage was permanent. My brain has adapted in the main with lots of physio therapy and training, but sometimes it all goes to pot But it’s settled down again so I’m happy. 😀
Taking a phone is a good idea when you are out in the countryside. . . I never used to but my partner now insists I do, I think she thinks I’m going to keel over or have a heart attack, but she is totally right of course, it is the sensible thing to do.
I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't had my phone with me orangeguy as the place was deserted. Your partner is probably right to insist you take your phone, especially if running "off the beaten track".
Sorry to hear your sad and stinging tale. Really hope you're feeling much more comfortable now. I'm a firm believer in doing what makes us feel happy, sane and good in life for as long as we can. And if that means having to adapt/modify how we do this in the long run, then that's fine. Keep running and beware of nettles! Big hugs.
Thank you so much Slinkymalinki I agree with you. There is no way I'm going to let a fall into nettles put me off running - even if it means running with a splint or cast on for a while. I often fall when running or doing anything else in fact which was why I had to take early retirement from teaching as being on the floor in a busy classroom isn't the most effective way of teaching children. 😂😂😂
I shall try to avoid nettles in future, but I do want to complete the run that I'd planned as it's a lovely bit of country side right near to my urban environment.
Oh goodness, how unlucky - big (gentle) hug and lots of sympathy. I hope your nettle stings are beginning to settle down and that you have good pain relief for your thumb. Take care xx
So sorry to hear of your accident. A real double whammy with the injuries 😯
I wish I could offer a magic cure for the nettle stings as they must be horrible for you, the traditional brisk rub down with a dock leaf is just a placebo and bicafb of soda is the best tteatment
You're a brave lady and its good to read that you haven't lost your sense of humour despite whats happened.
Sending virtual (((hugs))) and best wishes for speedy healing across t'interweb to you. Hope you start to get a decent nights sllep and some relief from the discomfort soon x x
Thanks for your kind words Christianne57 , it didn't put me off running for long, in fact I went out three days later and did the same run just to prove I could I made it past the nettle clump and managed to get home again safely. I have had the splint/cast taken off my hand this week and although my wrist is still weak I'm pretty much back to my normal self.
Great news! Blinking nettles are big, fierce and everywhere this summer and just brushing past them on a run is a risky manoeuvre so I really felt for your stings
Lovely that you are almost recovered and loving life again x x
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But I doubt it fixes broken thumbs .. ouch.
13k
Running Continuously for an Hour
Who the heck is in our park? 
New running buddy for my friend.
