A bruiser of a week

I've been playing softball on Monday nights with a neighborhood team (since I don't live in an 'official' neighborhood, I've adopted Kirkwood, which is a mile north of me). The last time I played softball was in middle school, and I don't even own a mitt, but I thought I'd give something new a try. On my first at bat I hit the ball and started running for first base, but I never got there, because, somehow, I tripped over myself and crashed to the ground about halfway between home plate and first base, right in front of my team's dugout. There was silence until I got up, made a joke, and started laughing. It was certainly a way to break the ice - teammates now know who I am! I think I was trying to go to fast; in my head I had the sprinting ability from middle school, but in reality I have the legs of a 35 year old who just doesn't sprint anymore! I've got somoe great knee bruises and scrapes galore, as well as a jammed middle finger on my right hand - that must have been how I fell.

I've also been riding my bike to work (7 miles each way) at least 2 times a week (3 if I can manage it). Yesterday, as I was riding through Emory campus, I stopped at a stop sign and fell over onto the curb. I come to complete stops at stop signs, expecially if there are cars around, but I don't usually clip out unless it's a red light and I know I'll be waiting my turn. For this stop sign there was only one other car going cross-ways, so I didn't think to clip out; however, the car stopped extra long - longer than I'd anticipated, and longer than I can balance for - so over I toppled. I landed directly on my hip (the fleshy part, thank goodness for padding). Today I've got a pretty bruise developing and also can't lift my right arm above my shoulder - I must have landed on my shoulder as well.

On top of all that, last night after I got home from my ride I went for a run and today my calves and knees are feeling it.

All in all I'm feeling a little beat up this week, so I drove to work today.