earlier this year I managed to complete C25K but then I had 2 very bad rrips while running g within 6 weeks of each other
The second fall was 6 weeks after the first one when I had just plucked up courage to run again.
My confidence is at all an all time low, has anyone else experienced this setback and how did you get your confidence back?
Sorry to hear you fell Misty1960 . I can totally relate, having fallen more than once. Most recently I faceplanted on a stony, dirty trail and the local pharmacist sent me to A&E to get cleaned up and have my tetanus status checked.
That was three months ago. While I'm still not anywhere near full fitness again, because I sprained my knee as well as acquiring quite a few cuts, scrapes and bruises, I am back out running. No, my confidence isn't 100%, but that's to do with frustration at having to rebuild very gradually, rather than fear.
I fell on a very easy path that I know well - it was my concentration that let me down, nothing to do with pace or difficulty. I've run faster and on much tougher terrain without falling!
Basically falls are a risk for any outside runner. You can minimise risk by having the right footwear, actively concentrating on what you're doing, and not running if you're overly tired or conditions are really poor etc. but nobody can guarantee that you'll never fall again.
The only thing I can recommend is to face your fear by getting out there again, take it as gently and slowly as you feel you need in order to regain some confidence. You'll most likely need to come back very gradually anyway, perhaps re-doing C25K completely, depending on where you were when you stopped.
Good luck!
Hi Misty1960, so sorry to hear that. Were you running off road on uneven paths or on a hard surface? I have lost the vestibular balance system in my ears, so know I am vulnerable to falling, so I pretty much only run on the road as it’s flat and predictable, (although harder if you do fall😬). I also never run in low light levels, heavy rain, ice or with the sun in my eyes as that’s another risk factor for me. So far I haven’t had any trips (although I have fallen flat on my face a couple of times walking on footpaths with tree roots - not pleasant at all). I’m quite a slow runner too so that also helps 😅. Cmoi ‘s advice is really good - concentrate and build back up slowly - I’ve re done C2 5k loads of times when I’ve had a big gap for one reason or another. Go for it - as Laura would say!
I fell the first time on the pavement and the second time on a gravel pathway.
I think it was the fact that I’m not picking my foot up enough.
hi Misty - I did wonder that, but didn’t want to accuse you of not picking your feet up😬🥺😂
I have also completely lost my confidence having fallen over while running back in July. I’ve been running since 2017 having done c25k and although I’ve never been fast I enjoyed getting out a couple of times a week. I’m thinking maybe I’m just getting past it at 63 but do wish I could get back to it
You are absolutely not too old for it!! Otherwise half the runners on this Forum wouldn't be running. Why not start C25K again, to help build up your confidence? Slow and steady, as Old Floss would say. Good luck!
I am the same age as you & began running at a similar time. No way are you past it, (assuming no health problems that would stop you). Maybe in 20 years we might be- I hope not!!😄
I have just started C25K again - why don’t you give it a try? You could join the new thread Oldfloss has just started for people returning & repeating. Good luck!
You're not past it at 63, that's the evil faceplant gremlins speaking! If you want to get back to it, do. If you've not run at all since July you'll probably need to re-start C25K, in which case you'll be in good company. 😀
Too old? Age really is just a number. I began at 65,,, still running at 72...pop in here and say hello..
I had a fall in May and scraped and bruised my face badly and had those horrid wet grazes on my knees. My hands were full of grit, I was bruised and oddly my shoulders felt odd for weeks. I knew that if I didnt run again soon that I’d stop altogether because I really was badly shaken by it. I went out two days later and completely avoided the part of the road where I’d tripped and faceplanted. I am so pleased that I went out but even now I am super cautious because that fall has stayed with me.
I entirely understand your reticence but I am sure that if you give it another go and try to stay on a softish surface you will build up your confidence again. I suppose that the desire to keep running needs to outweigh the understandable fear of falling. I truly hope that you get to the point where that happens 😊
It's interesting that you avoided where you fell JetsNanna . I did the opposite: I deliberately went back to where I'd fallen as soon as I was able to run there because I needed to know I could run there without falling. Also, from a practical point of view, if I can't run on that path it reduces my route options, and I'm not having that!
I run on pavements in London so I could run a different route daily realistically. It’s a maze of roads so I just run until I feel like running home. I have run down the road where I fell since ‘the incident’ but I wanted to get a few runs under my belt before I went back there. Interestingly a road sweeper that I see every day saw my facial wounds and asked me what had happened and where I fell. By the time I ran back down that route the part of pavement where I tripped/fell had been marked up for repair. I’m sure that he mentioned it to the local authority on my behalf, bless him 😊
How kind of that road sweeper! I very rarely plan routes, but have to take into account the fact that there are very few short cuts round here, most of it's fields and forests. I also need to bear in mind which shoes I've got on - my fall was also due to carelessly bouncing down a slippery stretch of trail while wearing road shoes, twit that I am!
Hi, sorry to hear re your fall. In reply to your post I have experienced exactly what you did. While out with my local running club (in the dark) I tripped and hurt my elbow which resulted in a fracture. I took a couple of weeks off and was doubting that I would ever have the confidence to get back out there. However, in a terrified state went tentatively back out for a short run, all good. Next time out, less terrified I took another slight fall but not anywhere near as bad as the previous one. Strangely, I picked myself up and kept on running!! It was the best thing I could have done. I now make sure that I pick up my feet well and place them correctly. I will never run in the dark again and always try to run fresh in the morning. This seems to work for me. I have plodded on regardless now for six months and a few weeks ago completed my first non virtual 10k race. The thought of falling is always there in the back of my head, but doesn’t stop me and it always pays to be careful. Veggiewifey commented re her age and running after a fall, please don’t ever let age stop anyone running, as you get older it’s all the more important to keep moving and running. Hope this helps even a little. Good luck for the future.
Thankyou I had been running g for a couple of years before I had the two falls so I’m going to try again taking into account everyone’s advice xx
You have had some great replies here... Slow and steady and try to relax....
I have also recently fallen- in a carpark I tripped over a kerb and faceplanted. Two black eyes and a bust nose. The point I am making is that accidents can happen anywhere. I have sometimes tripped when running but nothing as bad as that. Confidence grows with experience and practice and I am pretty sure that my balance and strength is improved by running. Fears need to be faced down and I am sure that running gives me more than it risks😀😀😀
Thankyou x x
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