Some People Never Learn--Part III

One would think, given the physical pain I went through last month, that I would swear off falling down. It makes sense that I would avoid situations where such a thing could happen, and that I'd be a little more careful. However, as I am a person who nearly always gets caught up in the moment, this was not only predictable, but inevitable.

As part of our activity tonight, we decided to play tunnel tag. That's the game where if you're tagged, you stand with your legs apart, and can be "unfrozen" when another person crawls between your legs. Actually, it's a pretty stupid game, but very fun when played with young women, ranging in age from 12-17.

There were certain things contributing to the problematic nature of my participation (not including my age).
1. My footgear was inappropriate (flip-flops--what else could it be?).
2. I decided to go barefoot.
3. I love to run.
4. I'm smaller and faster than most of the others.
5. I love to play.
6. I'm an idiot.

At one point, when I was "it", I was chasing a 12-year-old. She left the grass area and ran onto the pavement and sidewalk. My feet were already slightly bloody (okay, more than slightly) because I'd been running on the decorative and very sharp landscaping rocks, chasing and tagging young women. That 12-year-old was the only one left. My foot hit a stray pebble on the sidewalk in just the right place--the pebble rolled, and I biffed it in spectacular fashion. I got lovely scrapes on my hands and arms. Thank goodness my chest cushioned the fall (yes--that WAS sarcasm)!!

Of course, I HAD to do this with an audience. One should never fall unless there are others present to appreciate the fact that "some people never learn". One sedate grown-up suggested I should act less like the girls, more like their leader. I ignored him as I inspected the 6-inch long, 4-inch wide sidewalk scrape on my arm. I don't have a Band-aid that large.

The worst pain, other than my pride (which I think will never recover), is in my feet. Running barefoot over sharp rocks, pavement, and concrete has them bruised and bleeding. I'm not sure I'll be able to run tomorrow. I should have thought this through a little more carefully. Perhaps that erudite adult was right--I need to grow up.