^{Sony A7iii 54mm F7.1 1/60 Sec ISO 100
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And to make it more than a couple of shots and run, some have asked me to tell write some stories about some of the crazy adventures over the years, and depending how this goes, this may be the first one in the series, or I may write a bit and end up deleting it all so let's see how it goes.

So this story somehow relates to this first shot of fallen leaves as it is about a fall or falls I have taken over the years and why I have trouble with my knees these days.

Back many many years ago when I was a youthful 18 year old, I joined the army and attended the basic training, I was pretty fit back then, prior to joining the army I was an early riser, generally getting our for a runs, bike ride and sometimes a swim early morning and probably running over 40 or 50 miles a week, so the fitness training as part of the training was no problem, in fact I was less fit at the end of the training than when I started I am sure, but as I often to when writing I digress, back to my knees and basic training.

Near the end of Basic training we had to do a Battle Efficiency test ( I think that's what it was called), which consisted of a 10 Mile walk/run if full Kit with a loaded back Pack, rifle etc, and after that a small obstacle course which included a swing rope jump over a 9 foot ditch ( again if I remember correctly).

Now we did this a few times and on the last training run over the obstacle course when we were competing as teams for the quickest time to complete the obstacle course, the idea is one swings across the jump, stops and drops the rope so it swings for the next person coming to jump and grab it, my friend in front of me though I was coming to fast I guess so instead of dropping it tried to swing it across to me, as I jumped for the rope it swung up in the air right over my head out of my reach and I couldn't grab it and smashed knee first into the hard wall on the side of the ditch, I can't remember if it was wood, concrete or whatever but it hurt like hell, but me being me I jumped up hobbled to the 6 foot wall which was the next obstacle and with help got over it and over the 100 foot stretch to the finish line before collapsing to the ground.

Me, and my team were Happy as we set the fastest time of all the teams, but when I went to get up I couldn't put any weight on either knee and got taken off to the hospital, to discover I had smashed both knee caps and would be stuck in the hospital for a while, most likely need surgery and I was told it would be unlikely I would run again without the surgery.

Well back then we were told to complete and pass the basic training, one had to pass all phases of the course, which I had done, complete a Required Fitness level test, which was a 2 mile run in a certain time, and so many situps and pressures, complete the final Battle Efficiency test, and attend the March out Parade.

Now some that know me will know that I can be stubborn and determined and about a week later the 2 Mile run test was scheduled and I snuck out of the hospital and went and complete the run, at the start of the train I was the fastest, and this time I just barely finished the run in time, but my knees didn't like the effort and they swelled up and I was straight back into the hospital and I got a good telling off, but did I learn from it no, way ....

2 days later the ten mile run was scheduled and I snuck out of the hospital, went and got into uniform and turned up to do the 10 Mile run, I had bandaged and taped up my needs fairly well I thought, and was doing pretty well on the run even though in a bit of pain, I managed to complete the walk jog, but a Doctor from the hospital turned up just before we were about to do the obstacle course and I got dragged back to the hospital.

I know I know I was and probably still am crazy.

But I did end up passing the training, and was able to watch the march out parade, even if from from in a wheelchair, I didn't end up having the surgery at the time, I thought if I did training and build myself up I would be fine, and I was for a while, I did maybe 4 or 5 more Marathons and two or three triathlons over the next few years and raced the odd Motocross event for a few more years, but each race or run it took longer for my knees to recover after each run and in the end I gave up running, and never was able to get back into it and now I walk with a small limp on a good day and if its rainy or damp then even worse.

And incase your wondering I never did get around to having the surgery, I did do a follow up in my late 40s and almost scheduled a surgery, but then got transferred and put it off, and have just never got around to seeing a doctor again, maybe I will one day, but for the most part, all things considered I am doing pretty well, my knees don't slow me down to much, unless I get down to a real low squat, when standing up can be tricky, but its all good.

OK that went one little longer than I expected and I was so tempted to delete it, but will leave it,
now this isn't really one of the what I would call perhaps interesting story about my times in the field, but perhaps highlights yes I am crazy, and fits with the fallen leaves :)

And now something that clearly fits Tree Tuesday :) also in the Beaver Brook trails her in Milford

^{Sony A7iii 28mm F7.1 1/125 Sec ISO 100
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And that’s all folks

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unless stated otherwise all photos used in my posts are taken and owned by myself, if you wish to use any of my images please contact me.

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!steemitworldmap 41.216654 lat -73.078669 long Beaverbrook trail Milford CTd3scr