I had gone for a run

around our lake. Its a good sized lake, but not overly enourmous. Total distance is something like 6.6-6.7 miles from the start of my door and all the way around. Mostly I wanted to see if I could do it without any real trouble, but had some needed energy to expend. At about the 5 mile mark or so, the sidewalk ends, and as such I had to run along the shoulder of the road, which also happens to be yards of people as it is a residential area (and traffic is very light and slow so no real danger).

It would seem that one owner had a decorative metal rod, just under knee high planted in their yard. It would also seem that I was fated to meet said metal rod. I met it well. Didn't see it at all and ran right into it. Topling over, tearing open my leg quite well (surprised no stitches are involved), I sort of laid there on my back, in their yard thinking "Shit". After a few moments I realized cars were starting to slow down to see if I was ok, at which point I picked myself up so they didn't think I was dead. My leg really hurt at this point, but I could put some weight on it. I was quite angry that I had come this far, only to be taken out by a stupid pole in the ground. Determination set in. Marine mode switched on. I will not be stopped.

So on I went with my run. Wincing with each stride, blood quite literally soaking my lower leg, sock and shoe. I passed by a number of walkers/joggers during my last mile or so. All of them would first smile at me, and then look down, and their expressions would change dramatically once they realized that what I was doing. I'm sure they had some stories to tell when they got back about some insane, bloodied runner.

Once I got home, I was quite proud of myself. Still hurt like hell, but it was a good pain at that point, as I hadn't let it conquer me.