Bam. There goes my season in a 5" deep pothole that was not visible due to sunlight filtered through dense trees. I’d just finished a 6 month buildup for Roth IM. I’d set a goal of going sub-10; my first IM was a 10:51 at IMLP 11 months ago. I’d worked hard on my swimming, my Z2 running pace had dropped from 7:35 before IMLP to 7:01 now, and my aerobic cycling speed was 1.5-2.0 mph better than last year. I was excited about my prospect of having a good hard race and hitting my goal. I ws also looking forward to the experience of the atmoshpere at Roth which I hear is awesome.
On Wednesday, I was doing a 1hour Z1 ride, and hit a crater in the road (5" deep) that the town had not repaired (I’d never been on that road before). I’ll be in the hospital till Tuesday with multiple fractures to my left scapula, 8 broken ribs, and a 30% collapsed lung that required a chest tube. If all goes well, I should be able to go to Roth as a spectator, but won’t be racing until the fall. I’m fortunate that I haven’t crashed in 15 years, but I’m bumming a bit about the timing. It’s tragic that the Northeastern municipalities take in so much in tax dollars, but maintain their roads so poorly.I would have loved to see if I could have hit the aggressive time goal I had set for myself.
Wow, that sucks big time, but it sounds like you came out of a pretty bad crash in relatively decent shape, so as you’re no doubt aware you have plenty to be thankful for.
At least you have the satisfaction of knowing that you were able to get yourself in what might have been the best racing shape of your life and can duplicate that next time around.
I am so sorry , that sucks. I can feel your disappointment, I was 5 months into my 8 month plan for IMAZ this year when I was in an airplane accident that among other things dislocated both ankles, the right one was open tearing most ligaments and leaving my foot almost tore off. I am doing Rockman tomorrow as my first race back and am so happy just to be able to participate. You said that you will be racing again, and thats what is important. I would hate to think that this was all gone forever. Hang in there and you will be stronger next year.
That is very bad luck and I hope you heal fast. Sounds like you were on you’re way to a great race. I had a similar incident today on much smaller scale. I am two weeks out from BSL 70.3 and hit a torn up part of the road on the ride this morning. I went down on my side and skidded on my shoulder and hip for about 10 yards. I was lucky in that the only damage is some bad road rash, no damage to the bike.
I am so sorry to hear about your crash. (((hugs)))
I know there’s not much they can do for broken ribs - what do they do for a scapular fx? That is such a thin bone - one of my professors this year told us that if you held one up to the light, you would be able to see through it.
I should still be there to cheer you on. You should be able to pick me out, even with 150K spectators on the course. I’ll be the one in the shoulder sling cheering in English, rather than German!!
Oh man, that’s terrible news. Grumble away while you’re down and out, but get ready to come back stronger and harder when you’re physically ready. Next year you’ll see what you’re made of! Good luck and heal well!
Sorry about your crash, that really sucks. I crashed 2 weeks ago today and fractured my pelvis. I have had to pull out of IM Lake Placid, IM Wisconsin but am hopeful for IM Florida. I know it really hurts to have to pull out of races, after all he work you have done. What do you think will be your first race back? Good luck with your recovery.
