15 January 2008
Let’s talk sidewalk.
Posted by Mike Dopke under: Mike Dopke (Coach) .
The sidewalk can be a dangerous place for a non-observant runner. The hard and uneven surfaces are abusive on the body. I was reminded of this Sunday halfway into my 12 mile run. I was running along, enjoying conversation and the day when suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere, the sidewalk Gremlins reached up and tripped me. Due to the speed I was traveling at when becoming airborne, I had some time to ponder a few things. The first thought from the brain was this is probably going to hurt. The second thought was that I needed to watch where I’m going. Immediately after that came the thought to save the legs as I still had 6 miles to run back to Aquinas.
I stretched out my body like a running back trying to gain an illusive first down. Impact, ouch and damn it all at the same time. No first down, fourth and a foot and here comes the punter. I immediately jumped up and tried to pretend it didn’t hurt. The fact of the matter was that it did hurt. It hurt like mamba-jamba if you know what I mean. My palms and fore arms had taken the full brunt of the sidewalk. Luckily I was wearing my Asics heavy winter mittens and was saved from abrasions. I brushed myself off and finished the run back to Aquinas in pain.
I felt better for a little while after the run. I went to coffee with the group as always (where for some reason Terry was gazing longingly at my donut). My back began to hurt when I got home. I think that when I stuck my hands out to brace myself against the fall, I arched my back and ended up jamming a couple vertebrae in the middle of my spine. My back has felt and sounded like rice crispies since Sunday afternoon. Fortunately for me the people in my office are used to me laying on the floor on occasion, so the sight is not that out of the ordinary. For some reason though, nobody wants to sit on my chest like my kids do at night.
So in conclusion I too learned a few things last week (not all of which were discussed today).
- Watch where you are going when running on the sidewalk.
- I am sometimes a little too competitive while driving go-carts.
- Keep any and all donuts out of Terry’s sight.
- Vanilla flavored clif gels are NASTY (but the strawberry Shot Blocs are good).
- Shelly doesn’t toast bagels.
- My friend Brad D (the guy that started me running) is signed up for River Bank!
Have a great week everyone.
5 Comments so far...
Brooke Says:
15 January 2008 at 2:33 pm.
You are hilarious! I will have to challenge you to a go-kart match at Craig’s Cruisers in the spring….I think I might have better luck racing you there vs the road!
Thanks for everything you have been doing for the program! You and Terry are the best!
Shelly Says:
15 January 2008 at 2:51 pm.
What?!? I think you just got called out for a REMATCH but with some add’l competitors!!! Bring it on, Mike! Seriously–hope your back is feeling better, and if you ever want to go at a snail’s pace with me again, I’ll make sure to look UP for power lines while you make sure to look DOWN for shifting sidewalk cracks. Oh, and I found some hand-warmers for you to stick in your mittens on this weekend’s impending COLD run! 
Terrence York Says:
15 January 2008 at 8:13 pm.
I must admit your doughnut did look very good after coffee but I held out for a what I thought was going to be a good egg muffin. (NOT)
Terry
Sarah P. Says:
16 January 2008 at 1:28 pm.
Hay Mike D. - What I would have paid to see you gracefully fall….lol.
I have to say I love reading these blogs. They are inspiring and entertaining.
Deb Says:
18 January 2008 at 9:48 pm.
Ouch. . . but too funny! I’ve been there. Darn sidewalks. Watch for railroad tracks too!