This tough lady, Donna Garrison, 55 years old, Bib #2425, crashed into a car four miles before the bike finish. She walked her bike the four miles to the dismount line, ran the marathon and then took fifteen stitches. She still placed fourth in her age group. No, Cannondale did not give her a new bike.
Hey Monk, congratulations on your finish!
Thanks Crash. I’ll post a little something later that might be interesting to anyone thinking about doing an IM, regardless of fitness level. And some other stories that you might not otherwise hear about. And some pics of ST’ers I met there. And some race pics (I took a small digital camera on the bike and run). And some emotional things that I can still not talk about without choking up.
I was riding about 20 yards behind Donna when she hit the car. After I and some other (non-athlete) witnesses untangled her from her bike (none of the other athletes seemed to think it worth stopping to help her out), she picked up the bike and started walking, refusing all further care.
Although I admire that she was very determined to continue the race and in fact she went on to run much better than I did, she did flee the scene of the accident, before the police or the ambulance showed up. I don’t think this was the right choice, but she may not have been thinking clearly due to adrenaline.
I waited approx 20 minutes while I gave the race officials and police my report of the accident, just as the race officials had explicitly asked us to do in the previous day’s athlete’s meeting.
I’d also like to wish Donna a speedy physical and mental recovery. I am still getting over a bike-totaling crash I had this summer, and I know how they can stay in your head. I re-lived my whole wreck in the split second that I saw her go down.
-C #257
This internal drive to finish is what gets many people over the line. I’ve a friend that has it, once to his detriment…but, he always finishes. Good of you to keep your senses and wait for the police. I’m think I would have waited if I had been hit like that…but, who knows for certain what you’ll do when 110.4 miles into a race?
I came the closest to a T-bone of a truck yesterday than I ever have. I was going in the low 20 mph range, and he looked right at me, then the opposite way, then right back at me. I was sure he saw me. While still looking at me, he just accelerated right across the intersection. This is out in the middle of nowhere, no other traffic. Good thing he really hit the accelerator hard, because I JUST missed the rear bumper…while screaming at him as loud as I could, I had my brakes on full then released them to swerve. Still not real sure I could pull that one off again. Young Asian guy in a White Ford Truck with a Florida tag…I think I’ve seen him before in that area, I’ll be on the lookout for him for quite a while.
I’m happy that neither Donna nor I were killed. Could have happened…
Pretty incredible story! Congrats Donna!! Very inspirational.
I have to add that I think if Donna were to read this thread that she wouldn’t be offended in the least, especially if she understands the context of the replies. If she can finish an Ironman after crashing like that, then she can handle a few sarcastic replies on this thread.
D.
That she continued on really is awesome. I know that when I get in a bike accident (which isn’t often despite my name) I’m soooo shaken up. And what a beautiful lady! I hope I look that good at 55. 
Francois - are you going to dog me everywhere I post? I let you have the last word. Peace man. Sheesh