So what happened?
I am now experiencing less pain in my right arm so I can actually spend a little time typing what happened yesterday afternoon.
I met up with Mike McLamb, Lyndon Box and James Cardozo at the stadium to run the River Run course as a tempo run. We had a good run with some excellent effort in the middle. Then the big finale, the Hart bridge. I'm not a fan of running the bridge when traffic is flying across. It is a harrowing experience to put it mildly.
We ran up the bridge and crested it in single file. On the way down, there is a little more room in the shoulder to spread out. Coming down, I was in the rear and heard someone step on something metallic. It made a clanging noise and I didn't think anything else about it until I heard it again. It's kind of fuzzy, but I think I heard it again, and then went down face first. Hard.
Turns out, it was a metal ring, maybe 15" in diameter. It wrapped around my ankles like a bolo. I was essentially hogtied. My right hand was a bloody pulp, it took the brunt of the fall. Both knees had terrific strawberries. When I got up, my right arm was numb. A driver going up the bridge slowed down to check on me. I gave him the thumbs up. Thanks for checking Mr. Anonymous Green Camaro Driver.
The guys had kept running and eventually turned around and saw me bent over and staggering. They jogged back up to see what was going on. Fortunately, I only had a half mile to jog back to the car.
I spent the rest of the afternoon on the couch taking ibuprofen and icing everything. The right arm is still hurting pretty badly, but I don't think it's broken. It isn't swelling, and I can move it in all directions. Although on a few occasions, bending the arm or my wrist almost brought tears to my eyes.
Today, more ice and ibuprofen. I was considering running 10 at race pace tomorrow morning, but I've changed my mind (OK, Karen changed my mind). I'm glad I am in taper-mode and can afford to take the time off. Although, the taper is a time for your body to heal the effects of training, not stupid accidents on a tempo run.
UPDATE (1/22/2009):
Went to see the doctor today. Fractured the radial crown. No cast, splint or sling. Doctor says I can run the marathon on 2/1, but if I fall the bone will break off and I'll need surgery to have screws inserted. Really bummed, but I'm not going to risk surgery so no race for me. Ultimate irony is I met my friend Owen at lunch to pick up my race shoes.
Comments
Wow, Marshall. That's lots worse than your facebook comment let on. I'm glad you didn't fall into traffic, but so sorry about the damage.
Swelling or lack of isn't always an indicator of a break - kinda depends. Did you feel nauseous after you hit? A break will usually make you feel nauseous, where generally a sprain will just hurt like an MFer. Can you put any weight on it? If not, then it might be broken.
Probably should get an xray just in case. I know, just what you wanted to hear. And yes, I'm qualified to give medical advice since I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Posted by: Laura Evans | January 19, 2009 9:26 PM
That's exactly why, as much as I love the Gate River Run, I'm not a fan of running the course in training. It's too dangerous! You're very lucky that when you took that spill, there was no car right up on you. That bridge is very claustrophobic with no easement at all to speak of. Glad you're ok other than some nasty scrapes.
Posted by: Steve Vandergriff | January 19, 2009 9:54 PM