I fall, therefore I train

So, I went for a run at lunch today.  I'm running one of my usual 5K routes, but because it's the warmest day of the year so far and I'm a little low on sleep, I struggle a bit.   I'm at the end of the run, and my legs are rubbery.  I have about 10 yards to go to my "end" marker, and I stumble.

I'm on really rough, unfinished sidewalk concrete.  Not smooth -- bumpy.

I start my impending nasty face plant with my left hand leading the way to the earth. In the split second that seemed like forever on the way down, I see myself pulling my hand in to gently touch the concrete, and I roll to my left.  Not a pretty roll.  Pretty awkward, in fact.  But I end up on safely my side/back, shaking my head.

There is no doubt in my mind that if I hadn't been been falling to the mat hundreds of times a week for the past 20 years, I would have certainly bloodied up my left hand really badly, and very probably broken or at least sprained my wrist.

As it is, I sustained a tiny bruise on my left hip, a little strawberry on my left elbow, and a minor abrasion on my right hand.  My left hand -- that's the one that frets the strings of my guitar -- is unscathed.

Another minor victory for klutzes everywhere.