I’m not Eric Heiden, Dave Scott, Tim DeBoom or anyone famous for that matter. I am just a guy who read this story and broke down. I’ve been feeling pretty bad for myself about a month after an accident. Aside from some abrasions, I broke my collar bone. It was painful and frustrating, but it is nowhere near as traumatic as what Andrew is going through. I truly hope that he gets better.
When you hear the words “long recovery time,” please remember that you are in the best shape of your life and that recovery goes much faster for your body than you think. Try to keep your mind busy. There’s a couple of really inspiritational books that might take up some time and help out a little:
Touch the Top of the World
This is by Eric Weihenmayer, the first blind person to climb Mt. Everest.
Up and Running
This is by Jami Goldman, who lost both legs and now competes in the paralympics.
Finally, if you just want to have a good laugh -
I run, Therefore I am - NUTS!
Just a great compilations of funny running essays by Bob Schwartz.
Hope this helps out a little bit.
Remember that there are people who you will never meet who care.
OMG…I’ve “known” Andrew from the rec.running newsgroup and was always impressed at how damn fast he could run. Seems like an awfully nice guy as well…I’m shocked to hear of this.
Andrew, if you’re reading this, Godspeed and get yourself better. It sounds like you are well on track to getting back out there on the roads. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I will be thinking of you…for what it’s worth, I’ll be racing with you firmly in my mind tomorrow morning. And well beyond.
Mary, I don’t know what little old me can do for Andrew…let me know. Hopefully Ironman will defer his lottery slot until 2006!
Wow…so sorry to hear about your crash…bummer…knock on wood…doing the Napa century in the morning…better go to bed so I don’t crash.
Thanks so much for your post and the books…I love a good book…read fast due to 3 kids…it’s amazing how fast a reader you become when you know you only have 5 minutes to get through a chapter while sitting on the throne in the “library”…hey thanks for the post.