Marking exactly two years since I completed C25K

[Cmoi]

With a brief run this morning, abruptly ended by a faceplant on a dirt and gravel downhill. First time I've ever had to abort a run and walk home. However I'm not as brave as Linda, and since I was dripping blood I figured more running probably wasn't a great idea.

Pharmacist told me to go to A & E, where they confirmed I have tetanus antibodies so no booster needed, nothing's broken, and patched me up. When I arrived I looked like an ancient low-budget domestic violence poster (see photo, taken five minutes after I fell.) Now I have dressings all over the shop and look like I'm auditioning for a Hammer Horror pirate movie.

Won't be running for a few days as I've pulled something behind my right knee. All my own fault for trying to run in Ghosts on slippery, uneven terrain that needs hybrid or trail shoes.

Could've been much worse though, and I'm thankful I live in a country (France) where you don't have to produce a credit card and valid insurance policy before healthcare professionals look at you.

Wishing everyone safe, happy running!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh bless! That looks sore and is going ro be soectacular as it bruises up. Be really, really kind to yourself today and tomorrow. Heal fast. Take care xxx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks linda9389 .

Hospital prescribed me loads of dressings plus wound cleaning and healing stuff, so picked that up at pharmacy on way home. Glad I did, as I doubt I'll be able to drive tomorrow. At least I won't be out there frightening the public!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

I think you are right. Tomorrow it is going to feel worse not better 🥲, but it will be the start of the healing process. Think positive if you can xxx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to linda9389]

My leg's definitely ouchier now than it was this morning. Think painkillers might be in order so I can sleep. Ointment is already helping to get the gravel out, so that's good 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Sending hugs xxx

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Oh dear! I hope you mend quickly , best wishes xx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Thanks Shake-and-run ! I'm mostly just annoyed with myself for being so daft. At least it'll stop me going shopping in the sales for a few days!

[Oldfloss Administrator]

That's horrible ...heal well and give yourself time to recover .If you had to fall then France was a good place to fall.They really do take care of you.

Gentle hug xxx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss . We've lived here 16 years and I've never had to go to A&E before, in fact I rarely go to the doctor at all other than to get antihistamines and allergy treatments. I'd not normally have bothered after a fall, only this time I'd banged my head and got lots of dirt and gravel in the scrapes, so was concerned about tetanus.

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Cmoi]

I'm glad you are not too badly injured....but a fall like that..ouch!I fell off my cycle once in the rain in Le Bugue...opposite the pharmacy...and they all rushed out..wouldn't let me move until they were sure I hadn't broken anything...and patched me up...then and there!!!

So impressive.!!.

Hopefully you won't ache too much x

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

They're lovely in our local pharmacy. I once went in and asked for eye drops, because the day before the doctor's receptionist said the first appointment was in over a week - I was working at the time. Dispensing assistant looked at me and insisted on phoning the doctor to get me seen immediately, between two other appointments. Doctor then told me off for not consulting him earlier!

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Cmoi]

I love France...that just demonstrates why xxx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

There's plenty about France that drives me crazy but here I feel more at home, and generally less out of place in the world, than I ever did in the UK. xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Cmoi]

Me too...! My other little tin tent home in Wales makes me feel like that too. I so miss France. It has been too long since we were there! Maybe in the Autumn... sigh!

[Frenc Half Marathon]

My goodness! Poor you, that must have been a real shock. I hear you about the healthcare, we are so lucky. Heal fast and I hope the knee is ok.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Frenc]

Thanks Frenc . It was so weird, I sort of fell twice - tripped and lurched to the right, bounced up, then hit my head and left and and shoulder. This will not be featuring in a Strava video!

I really did feel grateful for the healthcare. Everyone from the local pharmacy staff to the A&E receptionist, two nurses, junior doctor and consultant was professional and caring. I think I'll pop back with something for them when I can get back there again.

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

That’s a smashing idea, I think they’d really appreciate it. I sent a card and some chocs to A@E a while ago - I had an ear plug stuck so far down my ear I honestly believed they’d have to operate to get it out! Thankfully they had a supersonic sucky machine that did the job but they were so kind. When I could hear what they were saying that is 🤣.

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Oh my! That's a spectacular set of scrapes.

And happy graduation runniversary, even if it was not the way of celebrating it you'd probably hoped for.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to nowster]

Thanks nowster . I wasn't going to bother with hospital until the pharmacy said that my GP was unlikely to be available and they thought I needed to be properly checked over. I kept apologising to the A&E staff for taking up their time when they had other more serious cases to deal with.

I'd decided I wouldn't do anything memorable for my second anniversary of C25K graduation, just a low-key, no-tech run. Well that worked well, didn't it! 😜

[HeavyFoot Half Marathon]

Sacré bleu, Cmoi. Please take care to mend properly. All best wishes.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to HeavyFoot]

Thanks HeavyFoot . I don't think my leg's going to let me drive for a couple of days, let alone run, so I'm hoping to catch up on all the life admin I've not had time for. Other than getting a haircut and new ID photos, that is!

[HeavyFoot Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

You might want to wait a while for the ID photo? And careful with those hairdresser’s scissors.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to HeavyFoot]

I doubt I'll even be leaving the house today as my right leg won't let me! From memory the ID photo regulations ban all sorts of ludicrous stuff such as fringes too near the eyes and large earrings, but not giant white gauze dressings 🩹😈

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Ouchy!! Still smiling,thats impressive, you're braver than I would have been.Hope you recover quickly xxx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks aliboo70 . Things hadn't really started to hurt at that point, about 5 minutes after I fell. The whole situation felt so ludicrous a smiley selfie seemed like a good idea. 😕

I mean, if Linda can post photos of her smashed gnashers and gloriously restored smile, surely the world needed to see how beautifully my gravel rash co-ordinated with my top!

[TailChaser Marathon]

Hey! Welcome to the Bruisers Club! That’s 3 of us now! You look like you got more places than I did though. Well done walking back home again, how Linda carried on I’ll never know. Hope you’re not too sore this evening x

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Thanks TailChaser . Shall we set up a gallery?!

I've no idea how Linda carried on either. When I've fallen previously I've picked myself up and carried on, but this time I was close to home, bleeding a bit and only had one paper hanky with me. When I tried running again the bleeding - obviously - got worse so I went back to walking instead!

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Now there’s an idea… instead of badges we could have bandages!

One thing, you will never forget your second runniversary… I hope you heal quickly and aren’t too bruised. 😟🤗x

[misswobble Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Big Cotton hankie! I never run without one, or two 🤧. Excellent bandage if you cut yourself, which I often have ☺️

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Didn't Joni Mitchell sing that?

I grazed all my face and now my knee's gone to pot

Need a big cotton hankie to wipe off blood and grot

Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you got 'till it's gone

I can't go and run so suspect I'll be posting a lot!

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Ah yes, I remember that one, Big Yellow, Black and Blue Taxi…

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

That's the one! 😂🚕🏥

Think I might have to warn my choir that The Phantom of the Opera will be attending practice on Tuesday!

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

You’ll have to dress up and make it extra dramatic!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Since we perform in Renaissance costume it takes a *lot* to get them to take any notice! Though I could sweep in with my Scottish Widows style black velvet cape, hood draped over my face, then fling it back dramatically to reveal either the dressings or the excuse for a face.

Even then they'd probably just go "Oh right, what've you gone and done now?"

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Faceplant badges? 🤣🤣🤣

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Of course there was the run in February where I was frogmarched to get patched up at a local school after tripping up near a bus stop. That was (thankfully) just a superficial scratch.

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to nowster]

Hopefully not like this Nowster?

Monty Python K-niggits

[misswobble Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

A mere flesh wound! I always say that to this day 😁

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

I think they were actually more concerned about possible concussion.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to nowster]

Yes, and quite right too! The hospital was very thorough checking that with me - I only had a bit of a headache, nothing else, and didn't knock myself out when I fell. That was the positive thing about falling on a rough path, not a pavement.

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to nowster]

Of course! That is the first thing that is always checked for. Pavements are nasty things when you come at them head on.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Oh dear! That looks like a serious tumble. Glad to hear you are on the mend and hope this has fulfilled your faceplant quota for 2022 🤕

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker . Messy and ouchy rather than serious, but yes, would be nice to think that's my 2022 quota done. I fell twice during a trail run at the start of the year, and had to take a couple of weeks out, so I'm pretty annoyed with myself for wiping out again.

Hope things are improving for you! 😀

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

Oh dear, that looks painful - must have been a big tumble, you poor thing 🙁. I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Thanks skysue16 . I somehow tripped, seemed to rebound, and managed to mash up both my right knee and left side (face, shoulder, hand) in the process. Off to neck some painkillers before bedtime!

[skysue16 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

🙁 sounds horrible

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Thanks again. It's not serious, I just look a bit ... mashed-up! Underneath the dressings, that is. The painkillers worked too, I slept pretty well 😀

[sparky66 Half Marathon]

Ooh what a lot of injuries 😨Glad to hear you were well looked after 🙏

do take care and rest up..sending healing vibes 🤗

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to sparky66]

Thanks sparky66 . You'd wonder how I managed to make such a thorough job of it without even trying, wouldn't you? At least it happened after all my speaking examiner duties, so I haven't traumatised any poor young students!

[Irish-John Marathon]

Congratulations on your Runaversary, C. And commiserations on your tumble, hope everything heals fast and fully ❤️

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks Irish-John . Not quite how I'd planned to celebrate, but at least I won't forget it in a hurry! I'm oddly intrigued to see whether or not I end up with scars as a pemanent souvenir. 😕

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

If it does scar, you could get a tattoo of a wee arrow pointing at it and 'C25K Strong!"

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

On my face?! It'd certainly make my speaking examiner work more interesting! 🤣

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Yessss...it probably would leave your examinees a bit lost for words.... lol

Ever see the 1997 remake of 'The Jackal'? Valantina Koslova - and proof that being eminently desirable attractive does not rely a whole hell of a lot on how a lady looks

Anyway - despite the thinner skin on faces, it's surprisingly rare for them to scar anything like 'badly' unless a whole lot of force and/or penetration is in play. You would think it harder to scar say the stomach or thighs, but I vaguely remember a Medic years ago droning on about something like a more rapid and interlinked blood supply to the face and the elasticity of the skin being more easily healed and drawn together than other areas of the body. So - looks good that you will have an 'interesting' souvenir rather than 'Call me Scarfacella' when healed

[buzzards]

I hope you recover soon. 🫂

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to buzzards]

Thanks buzzards . Having so many good wishes is definitely helping me to think positive, I really appreciate it.

[runningdad Marathon]

Ouchy. Hope it’s not too sore and looks worse than it is. You’ll be recovered in no time I’m sure so you can get back out there.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to runningdad]

Thanks runningdad . The gravel rash is mostly less sore today than yesterday, the knee's acting up a bit more. Think it's jealous because it's not had as much attention!

[RunWillie Metric Marathon]

Congratulations on all you’ve achieved Cmoi You really are an inspiration!

I thought about you today running a gravel track. Sorry about your fall. That’s a big ouch. Sending a big hug xxxx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Thanks RunWillie . If I measure in pace, distance and PBs etc everything's gone backwards since the trail marathon, but I've learned a lot about keeping going and ploughing my own furrow. Just a shame that I did that a bit too literally yesterday! xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Ouch 😣 I hope you’re not feeling too sore and tender today Cmoi. Take care xxx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks again - my right leg's currently sulking. I can weight bear, it's just that walking's a bit limpy and stairs are proving challenging. At least that means I'm not tempted to try and run again too soon!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

And Happy Runniversary! Not one you’re likely to forget 😏

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks Irishprincess. Yes, most people would go out and try to run a PB or something to mark a runniversary, rather than ending up in A&E!

[misswobble Marathon]

Always take a big, cotton hankie out running with you! Makes a great bandage. Failing that use your Buff 🙂

We do get into some scrapes don’t we ☺️ Fortunately you’ll be back out shortly 💪😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I didn't have a buff with me either misswobble ! If I'd planned a proper run I'd have had first aid kit with me, but not, I have to go and splatter myself all over a track during what was supposed to be a gentle little local pootle. I was quite pleased I managed not to drip blood onto any of my kit, just my phone! 🩸📲🤣

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Not he tights! Anything but the tights! 😁. Imagine a white top! No don’t! 😱

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Fortunately I was in cheapy Lidl kit, not my lovely lilac, pink and white trail top!

*spends time on IC designing Jackson Pollock trailwear range*

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles]

Aw .... clearly not part of Plan A. Recover well, lots of TLC and here are some flowers for you. 🌹🌸🌺🌼🌻🌷💐

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over61andstilltrying , lovely flowers! Am going to claim it was Plan A (&E)... 🤣

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Oh you poor thing, you really did make a mess of yourself there, but luckily no bones broken and you’ll heal with some rest,

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks SueAppleRun . You're so right, and It could've been much worse. I'm not good at rest, but there's no choice. There will be other runs, hopefully not quite as messy!

[Instructor57]

I'm late seeing this.Wow , what a way to celebrate your Runniversary 😐😐😐

Glad you got checked out though and Im sure you'll be back to it soon 🤞

Take care

[Cmoi Marathon]

Thanks Instructor57 .

30th June 2020: completes C25K and posts on C25K forum for first time to celebrate.

30th June 2022: goes out, splatters self, spends next 24 hours spamming marathon forum.

Oops.

[Instructor57 in reply to Cmoi]

Ahh but you've done some pretty impressive running between those 2 events ! 😁

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Instructor57]

Ah thanks! It would be kinda nice if I could stop feeling I've mostly gone backwards since October 2021, but that's all part of the learning process.

[Instructor57 in reply to Cmoi]

Trust me, I know about going backwards ! 😐

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Instructor57]

I literally jog backwards from time to time! It's usually views that trigger it, though sometimes it's about challenging myself, or just sheer daftness!!

[Instructor57 in reply to Cmoi]

Well we all need a moment of sheer daftness occasionally 😁

[Mummycav]

Ohhhhhh Cmoi …I’m so sorry you’ve had a fall…I’m feeling your pain…I’ve gone down once in 5 years…at park run…but only onto my knees..my face managed to stay in the air!! Sending a hug & I’m sure you’ll be back out there in no time at all xxx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks Mummycav . Only one fall in five years and managing to land on your knees is impressive, must still have hurt though. I'm still keen to get out there again though!

[Mummycav in reply to Cmoi]

Very impressive…I bet it was quite graceful too 😉 I’ve fallen twice…once at park run running round three runners taking up the whole path, just landed on the edge and down I went…managed to finish though…the other time it was black ice…I went down like bag of spuds…my head bounced off the floor and I saw stars…I was in the cemetery too! Ran home after I dusted myself down but Daddycav wasn’t impressed that I’d , ran somewhere so isolated in the ice and 2, that I’d run home and not rang him!

We’re tough cookies though aren’t we?! Xx

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Wishing you a speedy recovery Cmoi. Whenever I return to the spot of my fall over 3 years ago, I go and tell the trip hazard off. Do look out for infection though and get dressings changed by nurses if necessary. Luckily my nurse was a runner so she understood!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy5 . I run that track a lot so it will definitely be shown the error of its ways! I've managed with the dressings so far and they're drawing the grot out of the skin, so hopefully it'll heal OK. It was the combination of concern over tetanus, infection, and having banged my head that took me to A&E, though I did feel something of a time-waster.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Hope you are starting to feel a bit less sore today and the bruises aren’t too livid. Gentle dog walk maybe xx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie1961 . It's lovely weather here right now and I can walk better than yesterday, so yes, will try a short stroll later. Hope you're having fun! xx

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Ouch! Poor you! But glad nothing badly damaged! You still look fabulous! Get better fast!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thanks Cowladyrunning . I'm starting to heal up already, so hopefully I'll be able to remove the dressings before too long, and look less Phantom of the Opera scary!

[Mormor1 Half Marathon]

Oooo Cmoi, just read your post... What a horrible shock that must have been. Glad your healing and no teeth damage.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Mormor1]

Thanks Mormor1 . Yes, I think I need to get back on that section of route as soon as I'm able to run again, just to dispel the gremlins!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

Blimey Cmoi 😳😳😳 I hope you heal up soon.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thanks RunBrianRun . Scrapes are getting better, leg too, it's just super-frustrating not being able to move properly.

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

Blimey! Shoulder and opposite knee? Did you roll over?

[Cmoi Marathon]

Thanks Curlygurly2 . Yes, as per photo, I somehow managed to mangle both right and left, though didn't roll. Fairly sure I initially tripped and caught my right knee, then sort of bounced up before going headlong on my left side. I do remember thinking Oops, I've tripped and then, separately, Argh I'm going to fall! before I hit the ground. Strange how time can slow.

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

I had a proper black eye, never had one of those before, did you get one? I had time to say oh **ck on the way down!!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

Funnily enough, not much of a black eye, though the left side of my face was initially very swollen and it took a few days to go down. I've been swearier since the fall than I was at the time, out of sheer frustration!

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

I had to take a couple of weeks off running, I couldn't get my breath, strained all the muscles around my chest as I put my arm down.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

Urgh, that sounds horrible. Ten days on, it's my right leg that's not fit for running, the rest of me would be OK. I'm hoping to get back out soon.