Safety Tips

The run was at night, and the cement was not even. It was more like melted gravel: very bumpy. I tripped and fell on BOTH knees. I was running around 8:30 minutes per mile when I fell, and I think my adrenaline made me pop right back up thinking I could start running again.

Then, I looked down at my legs, and my left knee was pouring blood so fast it was already all over my shoe. A lady behind me asked if I was okay, and when she saw my knee she proceeded to take her shirt off, rip it with her mouth, and make me a bandage. She told me she was a nurse and that my knee was cut deep and that I needed to get medical assistance right away. She helped me walk to find my parents who were waiting for me at the finish line.

The day after my fall I took a rest day to let my body heal. I didn’t run for a whole week, but on day two after my fall I went for a walk in my neighborhood because I couldn’t stand to be cooped up inside. It was painful because of the pressure built around my knee but I think it helped me heal faster.

Canadian Claim to Fame

Beth Sims, from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, stays busy. In between teaching music and raising two children, she has run 55 marathons in 14 states. Her favorite is Grandma’s Marathon which starts right outside her hometown of Two Harbors. Here’s her story of a race day mishap:

I ran the Pride of Canada Marathon in September 2004. During the race I found myself as the first female in a field of about 25. I was feeling pretty amazing when an official on a bike came up to me and said, “I’m supposed to tell you that you’re going the wrong way.” It turns out I was about a mile off course and I had to turn around and get back on track.

I told the official, “I’m gonna need your bike,” and I hopped on his bike and continued back to the spot where I had turned wrong. I leaped off the bike and continued running. The first water station I came to after that I asked the women sitting there, “Am I still the first girl?” and she said, “Yep!”

I finished in 3:46 and ended up winning for the women. They gave me a Canadian Post puffy vest and a voucher for a free hotel, along with a tiny trophy. It’s a fun story to tell, and 55 marathons later, I haven’t even come close to winning another one. I call it my “claim to fame.”

That’s all for stories of mistakes, mishaps, and misadventures. Have a mishap, mistake or misadventure to share? Email me at: leckbann@gmail.com.

Tips for dealing with or preventing running mishaps

While many running mishaps can be innocuous, some are no laughing matter. To prevent running mishaps, or at least mitigate them, there are several simple things you can do. Use good judgment in deciding which you should use depending on circumstances. Here are my top six: 1. Run with an ID

Whether it be a Road ID bracelet or a driver’s license, having identification will make it easier for your loved ones to be contacted in the event of an emergency. 2. Plan your route Know where you’re going and tell someone else where you’re going. 3. Be prepared for the weather

Dress properly for hot and cold weather. Three-quarter tights might be nice for the fall and spring, but on a hot summer day you might get uncomfortable. In the winter dress in layers—it’s easier to peel a layer off than wish you’d dressed warmer. On hot days, slow down and have a plan for hydrating and staying cooler—shaded routes are best on hot days. 4. Carry a cell phone

Maps, emergency contacts, and the ability to hail a ride are all at your fingertips. You might not carry a cell every time, but for longer runs and runs in unfamiliar places, it’s a good idea. 5. Run in the dark with care

Use well lit routes, wear reflective clothing, use a headlamp, and be aware of your surroundings. 6. Protect yourself

Unfortunately, there are unsavory characters out there, but there are also ways to stay safe from them. Running in daylight, crossing the street if you see someone suspicious, knowing self-defense and/or carrying mace or pepper, and running with group or with a dog are all things you can do to improve your safety.

Renee Korczak, PhD, RD, LD

Consultant Dietitian www.premierdietitian.com 201-390-0344