I Need a Bandaid, or Two

Typically a good day for me always starts with an early morning run. There’s something very meditative about driving down to the Wrightsville Beach loop before sunrise, putting on my headphones (my iPod playing a list that has beats to match my pace), and running the two and a half mile course at least once. There are a couple of streets that I run down that take me off course but they horseshoe back to the loop. When I’m done running, I’ve gone an average of 3.25 miles.

I run not only to maintain a healthy lifestyle but because I enjoy the time I have to myself. School, work, and other responsibilities cause a lot of stress and anxiety at times. I’ve found that running alleviates that. My roommates wonder why I drive to run at the loop when I could easily peddle my bike to the school gym, saving time, gas, and wear and tear on my vehicle. My argument is that I’m addicted to beginning my run under a star lit sky, to the calming beach breeze, the smell of ocean air, and finishing the run watching the sunrise every morning. Running outside is much more liberating than going to a gym to run on a treadmill. The beauties of nature continually remind me how small I am in this world and that I should appreciate my surroundings.

Running has become part of my lifestyle and is a way for me to cleanse my mind from my daily “to dos.” There are times when weather doesn’t work in my favor. It is then that I have no option but to resort to the gym or the treadmill at my parent’s home. As with any exercise program or sport, I’m bound to get hurt at some point. My running regimen hasn’t been pain free. Lucky for me, I’ve been doing this for four years and have been injured only this year. Twice.

One weekend visit home I decided to stay inside to run while watching MTV music videos. I had on my new Nike ID shox, personalized sneakers that are designed online, and was still trying to work them in. The treadmill was spinning at a speed of 6.5 which is a very fast jog. My right shoe needed readjustments so I thought I’d straddle the treadmill belt and stand on the plastic edges. The couch was close enough that I could rest my right foot and leave my left foot in place. My shoe was fixed but before I could continue running, the edge of the treadmill bent. I lost balance. My left knee slammed down onto the belt, still spinning at 6.5, threw my foot into the wall, and then shut itself off because I’d pulled the emergency cord.

I’d say I would have won the top prize on America’s Funniest Home Videos but luckily, no one was there to witness my accident. It took more than a month for my treadburn to heal. I must admit my bo-bo reminded me of being a kid again. It seemed I was always skinning up my knees when I was young.

Those memories weren’t supposed to make it happen again, but unfortunately, I had a second fall this week. One warm evening I was running the loop until I embarrassingly tripped over my own feet. First my hands slide on the side walk, my knees hit, then my right elbow, and finally, my right hip. “Shit” was the only thing that I was able to say as I fell in slow motion. Until that evening, I didn’t know my body could bounce on pavement like it did. I immediately jumped up and continued running but couldn’t help but laugh at myself. Then I realized that my fall was witnessed by an oncoming car because they too, were laughing. Sure, I was fine. Two bloody palms, a bruised skint up knee, and bruised hip later, I’m fine. Thanks for NOT stopping assholes.

With the good, we have to sometimes take the bad. I now realize I’ll fall from time to time, struggle to get up; however, continuing through the pain only leads in one direction, to becoming a stronger person. Without the scares and bruises, there would be no stories to tell. I welcome the falls simply because I love the accomplishment and solitude I gain from my active lifestyle. Where are my shoes? I’m off for a run.