Now let me get this straight, I have always been a bit accident prone. But the amount of falls I am having is really concerning. I don’t know why...is it really just a freak of nature that I’m having a run of bad luck?
Yes, it started January first. We went hiking on the Appalachian Trail. We were almost back to the car and I was doing a stream crossing and something happened and I slipped and fell. We attributed it to us not having hiked for a while and my legs being really sore and didn’t think anything of it! We continued to hike each weekend and my legs grew stronger.
I didn’t have any more accidents in January....that I can remember. But February brought about another fall! We were on a light walk. I’m not even going to call it a hike because it was so tame! I tripped and went down. Again? I was kinda confused...two times in two months. What are the odds?
I had to go down a small slope into the canal and then back up on the other side to get to this tunnel. Jason was taking care of our bikes so that I could be safe. I was being careful. I swear I was being careful! I was moving slowly and the next thing I knew my foot slipped on gravel. I landed with a thud on my butt. Wow, the fall jarred my ribs (which are still really sore!)! Luckily, I walked away with only a few scrapes on my arm and my ribs and after the initial rush of pain didn’t suffer any more damage in that area.
It doesn’t end there though....I fell on a hike in mid to late April. As best we can figure out, my foot caught on a rock and I went down. We were concerned at that point because that was accident three in just a few months. But it didn’t end there. One week later I had my bike accident. ONE. WEEK!
Surely my luck would change! But no, two weeks after that, just this past weekend I went down again! I kid you not. We were out on a light easier bike ride on the canal towpath. (Seriously, I’m still in near constant rib pain...it had to be easy). We stopped to go explore a tunnel/cave.
I had to go down a small slope into the canal and then back up on the other side to get to this tunnel. Jason was taking care of our bikes so that I could be safe. I was being careful. I swear I was being careful! I was moving slowly and the next thing I knew my foot slipped on gravel. I landed with a thud on my butt. Wow, the fall jarred my ribs (which are still really sore!)! Luckily, I walked away with only a few scrapes on my arm and my ribs and after the initial rush of pain didn’t suffer any more damage in that area.
But you can see, these accidents are happening with greater frequency. Looking back, we hiked a LOT the first year we were together. I didn’t fall every hike...or even once a month. I do remember one fall while hiking about two and a half years ago...but nothing else. ONCE. One fall in four years. And here in about three months I am heading toward double digits. Ok not that close, but enough that I’m concerned.
We aren’t sure what is the problem. It seems to be mostly when we are hiking. It doesn’t happen when I’m just walking. I don’t fall and stumble at the grocery store. I don’t trip or slip while walking around our apartment. We walk outside every day after work and I haven’t fallen once! (Just writing this scares me though...I hope I haven’t hexed myself!!). We originally thought maybe when I get tired my legs just give out. We have wondered if I’m just not picking my feet up and if they are catching on any uneven surface, rock or tree root. Is it something to do with my weight...has my weight shifted and has it messed up my balance?
I just don’t know. But While Jason has jokingly said that he is going to start making me wear knee and elbow pads and a full face helmet when I go out, I think there is an ounce of truth to his suggestion! These calls have got to stop though! I’ve been somewhat lucky and most of the falls have garnered nothing more than some scrapes and bruises. But I fear that my luck will run out!!!! I am not giving up on exercise, but I am nervous!!!!!
It is however becoming a more regular occurrence and it is scaring me badly!
2 comments:
In my job with the fire department, I used to do fall assessments for the elderly.
When reading your post, some things come to mind (and I'm not saying you're elderly, lol)…
Are you wearing different shoes when you hike than when you walk? Usually I wear walking shoes to take our dog for a walk, but sometimes I just slip on my hiking boots since they are near the front door. They’re more clunky so I have to be more careful that I don’t step wrong…I have actually fallen wearing them because they are heavier and less flexible than walking or running shoes.
Being distracted is also a major contributor to falling. Were you distracted when you fell? Thinking about something else, or looking at something else and didn’t see where you put your feet?
Were you wearing your glasses when you fell? Sometimes people walk better without glasses because they are bi-focals and the ground looks different with them than without. Or it could be the opposite…maybe you need to wear your glasses when walking.
Finally, balance is something that we need to work on diligently as we get older. My trainer and I work on balance almost every session. Standing on one leg while raising the other, or using a balance board. Also core strength is very important to balance. I’m no skinny minny (so I don’t think weight is that much of a factor) but my core is super strong from years of working on that.. The stronger your core, the easier it is to “recover” when you start to lose your balance or fall. Strong core helps with riding bikes too.
These are just some thoughts. I wouldn’t be too scared about falling unless you are having other symptoms like dizziness or limb weakness. That being said, if you are really concerned…talk to your doctor!!! Take care! :-)
Thank you so much for your insight. I am usually hiking when we I fall...and wearing hiking boots. Hmmm
The advice about balance and core strength is very good and I need to work on those things for sure!!!
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