How do you feel about falling?
In the last two winters I've had two falls. The first was a series of three falls on an icy trail within 15 minutes resulting in a badly sprained wrist that took a looong time to recover from. Now I'm terrified of the ice or even slippery new snow, so I have four different sets of micro spikes.
Early last spring I fell down the steps (indoors) carrying my ailing dog to let her out in the middle of the night. She was fine. I was badly bruised in multiple places. Now, no socks on steps, carry only one thing and hold the rail. I manage steps very carefully.
I am paranoid about falling. Maybe I should practice falling correctly! What are your thoughts about falling? What do you do to prevent falls?
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@stephcarney Do you know if you can use an Apple watch as a running watch, i.e- does it record time of activity, distance , and pace?
I wasn't sure, so I found this:
Running metrics on Apple Watch
Workout views for Outdoor Run workouts
The Outdoor Run workout includes these metrics:
Metrics: Current heart rate, rolling mile, average pace, distance
Metrics 2: Running cadence, stride length, ground contact time, vertical oscillation
Heart Rate Zones: Current heart rate, time in zone, heart rate average
Split: Split number, split pace, split distance, current heart rate
Segment: Segment number, segment pace, segment distance, current heart rate
Elevation: Elevation profile over the last 30 minutes, elevation gained, current elevation
Power: Power profile over the last 30 minutes, current power, running cadence
Activity rings: Move, exercise, stand
I (70 yo female) have Blepharospasm, which causes my eyes to spasm shut involuntarily. Nevertheless, I frequently took brisk 3 miles walks without worry until my eyes closed while descending cement steps. I fell on my face and lost my two front teeth.
At the dentist I first learned I had advances osteoporosis (-3.6)!
Now I really try to slow down and be more careful, because a fall would be dire( I’m about to start Evenity to strengthen my bones), and I wear a smart watch that contacts help if I fall.
@jkesparza That must be so disconcerting! How long have you had blepharospasm? One thing I'm working on for this new year is letting go of the need for feeling like I'm in control. The older I get, 72 now, the less in control I feel! Trying to embrace the mystery! I wonder... Have you become accustomed to this, or do you feel like you're always kind of braced for the next episode?
Hi. Thank you! I got so used to it that I’d find myself rushing around with my eyes closed! On stairs! Around corner! So I was often bruised lol. I’d been getting botox shots for years to kind of paralyze my eyelids but they didn’t really help enough. Last month I had surgery to lift my eyelid muscles. It’s helped me keep both eyes open at the same time.
I think we learn to adjust to everything- i think we’re stronger than we know!
@jkesparza You're right- we are stronger than we know...But do we really need to be tested every day?! 😵💫
I sure hope not!
@stephcarney Thanks so much for finding this information. I may need to think about getting an apple watch to replace my garmin.
I’ve had it for about 30 years. It started as excessive blinking. I l’ve tried botox shots in my eyelids, and just had surgery to lift my eyelids, so I just do what I can and then move on with my life.
I’ve also been taking Functional Fitness classes at my community center. I love them! They make me feel stronger and more in control of my body, and they include balance exercises, which are so important for those of us who fear falling.
@jkesparza That's a long time to put up with this anomaly- no wonder you've just started to walk with your eyes closed! I have a cousin who became blind due to Type 1 Diabetes he developed as a child. He had a seeing eye dog for many years, but just uses a cane now. I'm always in awe of how well he gets around. He's had to learn how to adapt. But a condition that comes and goes without warning, yikes! You're doing so well to stay active and take good care of yourself!