I’ve been running for a long time now…

When you start thinking about going out for your run there are a lot of things you have to determine before you go. What route are you taking? you want to be safe and you have a goal of a certain mileage. What to wear? Are you going alone or with a group? Listening to music? Podcast? What about a phone? I am of the age where bringing a phone with you on a run is a relatively new thing. I remember asking my helpful salesperson at my cell phone store if I could order a holster for my phone because I wanted to run with it (they weren’t out on display, you had to “order” them). He said sarcastically “You’re one of those guys who has to have their phone on them ALL THE TIME?” My point is it doesn’t seem to be an option anymore. You never know what is going to happen.

Like I said, I have been running for a long time now. With that I run with a certain amount of complacency. Most times I bring my phone. I don’t have a job where I am on call 24/7 anymore, so it is not imperative. Last Saturday I was on an 8mi run. The longest of my early running season. I was having a good run.  I felt strong and I knew I was going to get my 8mi in without a problem.  I was coasting.  Then, my foot caught a piece of pavement that had buckled during the winter.  I remember being airborne and the ground coming closer, but that’s about it.  I didn’t even have time to put my hands in front of my face. I planted my forehead right into the asphalt.  It HURT.  I was alone.  Blood was dripping down my face.  All I could think about was If this was a serious head injury I don’t have a lot of time before I pass out, so I need to do something now!   

Ok, So I think you know where I’m going with this.  I had my phone, called my wife and we went to the emergency room.  Diagnosis: pretty bad head injury, banged up knee, shoulder and elbow, not to mention some serious bruising that didn’t show up till the next day.  CT results were negative (my doc said they x-rayed my head and didn’t find anything – NOT funny!).  Bottom line is we have to take advantage of today’s technology.  Just because I ran for years without a phone doesn’t mean that’s ok today.  If I was without a way to call someone things could have turned out differently.  But, I did have it and I’m ok.  A little nervous about my next run, but I’ll be ok.  Run with your phone.  The person you can help might be YOU.