The time between when you trip and when you hit the ground seems like it lasts a lifetime. You think a lot of thoughts like, “I am a moron,” or “OH GOD, not again.” Then you try to position yourself for impact. I highly recommend the Superman position. You lift your head, outstretch your arms and try to land on your chest. The one time I failed to do the Superman, I managed to get my hand under my body when I went splat. That didn’t turn out so well (I still can’t make a fist with my drawing hand). Two hundred and fifteen pounds is hell on your tendons and ligaments.
As a clumsy runner, I have done the Superman several times. I’ve been blessed I haven’t hit my head (I have missed a guard rail, a tree and a metal bench). And other than my hand, I’m pretty lucky. I’ve spilled some blood but that’s about it. (My wife usually looks at me and says, “not again,” when I stumble in the house covered in blood.
I did it again last week. We were running a super circuit around the football field during my boot camp and I ran up some stairs and then tripped over a slight rise in the concrete.
And then I once again played Superman and went splat.
My boss (Nate, the new C-L publisher works out at the same boot camp) looked down at me and said, “Are you OK?!?” Without missing a beat, I said no.
But then I ran a quick diagnostic check and determined I was ok. I quickly said, “OK.” I hopped up and ran another two laps of the circuit.
When I was done, I felt pain in my knee. I had a bloody chunk missing from my kneecap (it’s still trying to heal). But I got up and keep moving.
That’s my motto for life.
I’ve Supermanned in my life outside of running many times, too. Whether it is professionally or personally, I trip, fall and go splat. Then I pause to determine “am I ok?” It’s tempting to stay on the ground and feel sorry for yourself. That kind of feels good. But I know better. You have to get up and keep moving. Self pity doesn’t make the pain go away. Getting back on your feet and fighting on does.
Maybe being resilient is being a true Superman. Maybe I should wear knee pads. Or maybe I should just run in a padded room.
I’ve perfected the art of falling down. And I’m starting to master getting back up, too. Up, up and away.