Every few years, I take a spill on the bike. My time must have been up and I was overdue. So down I went!
We were at the Dairyland Dare last weekend.
The start of a hoped-to-be great ride
First off, that is a great ride held down in Dodgeville, WI. If you're signed up for IMWI and you're whining about the hills, GO DO THIS RIDE. That will shut you right up! The site advertised 10,000+ feet of climbing over 150K. My Joule showed 8300+ feet. I guess I was shorted 1700 feet somewhere. That's OK. By the end, I thought I might cry if I saw another hill. There were a few hills toward the end when I had all I could do to stay upright and not get off the bike. I do remember thinking after it was over... 'that bike course at IMWI is a pansy ride.' Ha! JK! I'm not that stupid!
Secondly, the ride is very well organized. Great rest stops with huge amounts of food (even though I didn't eat any of it). Type A, you know, following the IM nutrition plan. (geek) The course is really well marked and usually had flag people at all corners. That is pretty impressive considering the many ride options; 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300K. I've decided those that did the 300K have got to be C-R-A-Z-Y!
Anyway, here's the bouncing part. I'm traveling along the first leg and I drop my chain 2 x to the outside of my big ring. WTH? That hasn't happened in eons. And with the amount of shifting I knew I would be doing on this ride I decided I better stop at the next tech support and have it addressed. Fine. The mechanic adjusts my derailleur and sends me off in the parking lot to check it out. I was making loops in the lot, shifting the gears hot and heavy, trying to drop the chain. Of course, I'm staring down at my derailleur and not where I'm going. And now you know where THIS is going...... I end up launching myself over a concrete divider. Those are the curb-like things at the end of a parking stall that stop further forward motion. Yes, my forward motion stopped in a hurry!
I ended up landing on my right side. Still clipped in my damn pedals so I couldn't even get up. And if you've ever tipped over on your bike in a public setting, you know the first thing you want to do is get up and act like nothing ever happened. I was embarrassed, stunned, hurt and wanted to cry like a baby (because of the aforementioned factors). I was only at mile 17! I was a bloody, graveled-up mess. I hobbled to the first aid area because I needed to get the big chunks washed off. Here the lovely nursing staff are asking me if I want to take the bus back. TAKE THE BUS BACK?! Are you f'ing kidding me (I thought)!! I drove 4 hours to get here and paid good money for this suffering. I'll be damned if I'm taking the bus back. Slap those dressings on before I lose my nerve because I've got to go!
Let's just say the next 83 miles were long and painful. Road rash is no fun. But the worst was my hip. It was hurting. And you kind of have to move your hip repeatedly to ride a bike. Needless to say, the 40 minute transition run did not happen. But, it wasn't for lack of trying. I put on the shoes and the heart rate monitor and the Garmin. I think I made it about 5 steps and then gave in. It was time to call it a day.
At the finish line and glad it's over
I'm 4 days out and my hip which was my biggest concern is gradually feeling better. Just a nasty contusion. It's now turning all shades of purple and blue. And contusions just take time to heal. How much time is anybody's guess. Right now running is a problem. Those of you that have trained for anything big know that injury 4 weeks before your big show is NOT IDEAL. So I'm rearranging my training. It's known that flexibility is key to success. Well, my flexibility is being tested. Most importantly, I'm mentally trying to be flexible and rearrange. This should not still be hurting come IMWI. I should be healed. But, still, I worry. Will I get my remaining long run in? What if I don't? What's done is done and what will be will be. I just have to stay smart and not pull any more swift maneuvers between now and 9/11/11. A little luck wouldn't hurt either!
Serenity Now! Serenity Now!
7 comments:
Oh noooooooooo!
I am so sorry! I have no doubt that you'll be able to still do well at IMW. Rest up, girl, and I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when the volunteers asked you if you wanted to ride the bus back....LOL! They had no idea who they were dealing with!
You may not bounce, but you get back up and that is what is important.
Confucius may or may not have said, "When you fall, fall forward. Hitting parking curbs helps to fall forward."
First off... like.. OUCH!
Second off.. really well done for carrying on... panic yeah not about the last long run.. training is in the bank for such an occasion. Recover patiently and all will be well (but yes do some stretching!!)
You're not kidding, they do put the best food in the aide stations at the organized rides.
I hate that you took such a nasty spill though! That sucks. If you can't bounce, bounce back!
You are going to be ok! I did this ( Someone crashed me out in a crit) and i didnt bounce either, i think i slid, finished the race ( like you said, damn her!) and then i had a contusion for a week or so. You will be fine, plenty of time! I do agree that that course made the VErona loops look easy:) And you know what? Long run or not, you are so tough, you will get this done!
This was a god-send believe it or not...'cause now that it's happened, it WON'T happen at IM! Really!
Glad it's only a bruise, and road-rash, but man, that can HURT! Good for you for getting back on your horse and finishing the ride!
Ouch,
Hope it is feeling better soon, glad to hear you got back up and kept going. I would be more worried if you hadn't.
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