Broken bones

[A-n-d-r-e-a]

Ok- so I reached 5k. Did some lovely 5k runs with my girls over christmas( I know that’s ages ago but I’ve just received a prompt!) On New Year’s Day I decided to run through the woods with no music just listening to nature- and I tripped!! There I was on the forest floor in my new running gear unable to move. Fortunately I was found fairly quickly and by the evening I was home with a shattered arm ball joint and a break at the top... still with me??!!

Nine months later I am still having physio, with little chance of full mobility.

The thing is, I’d really got into it and was enjoying the half hours peace it gave me. Now, my confidence is shot and there’s no way I could run through the woods again. My husband would rather I didn’t start again, but how good I felt when I got to 5k. I’m def thinking about starting again - I’m not interested in a treadmill, getting out in the fresh air is what it’s all about for me

How can I start again after such a terrible fall?

[Doddery123 Graduate]

Start with walking to get out and about and gain confidence. We were born to move. The body is an incredible thing and heals remarkably quickly. The mind can be more of a limiter. Enjoy even if only for 5 minutes to begin with.

[Granspeed Graduate]

Awww, horrible experience. So sad for you. I’ve no comparable experience so can’t give running advice, but I do really hope you can get out again somehow. Maybe a chat with someone knowledgeable but sympathetic to your aim? Doc or physio, perhaps? It can make a big difference if the person also loves running or understands your feeling, as there are different schools of thought about getting back to exercise. I have a great chiropractor who deeply believes that movement is good for the body, and she’s been ideal when I needed advice. Good luck. 👍👏🏼

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Start slowly, walking, short bursts of jogging on decent paths. A fall can happen anywhere, anytime. Most trips and falls actually happen in the home.

Build your confidence slowly. Imagine all the grannies who fall and break their hips and return to doing what they did before out of necessity. You have a choice, you can let this stop you doing something you were enjoying or, just like at the start, you can beat those gremlins off too.

I've been lucky, I've gone flying a few times but always managed to catch myself before any damage. I do understand the feeling though, I used to ride motorbikes and had several accidents and kept getting back on. I went flying off my mountain bike last year but I'm not giving it up, just taking it easier.

Get back to feeling comfortable and then maybe consider a trail workshop, that might be a great "regraduation" pressie to yourself and you may pick up new skills/confidence. Woodland is filled with trip hazards and holes. Sometimes it feels I spend more time looking at the ground than the views!

You could trip getting out of the car tomorrow and smash your face up (seen the results of that)... if you never run again there's no guarantee you won't hurt yourself, everything is a risk...

[Buddy34 Graduate]

If you think you want to run again then do it. Maybe ask your phisyo for some advice regarding your arm first then take it from there. Good luck 😊

[cathsykes]

One step at a time!

I fell last September whilst running and fractured the head of the radius in my left arm - being stubborn I didn’t go to AnE for 3 days

I even went running on one of those days before diagnosis (told you I was stubborn!)

But my biggest nemesis was going back to the route where I tripped

It took almost a year - and even then I just walked the route

I’d avoid uneven surfaces if I were you but do go back to where you tripped - even if just for a walk- get rid of those gremlins!!

Now I’m back to my running 🏃‍♀️ routes and I’ve overcome my fears - you can too - One step at a time!!

[Getfitok Graduate]

Oh no! You’ve got me really worried now. 2 weeks ago I fractured my shoulder playing badminton, still finding it really difficult & painful. It’s a major operation doing anything, but I’m saying to myself ‘2 weeks down, 4 weeks to go’. Maybe it will take a bit longer ☹️