The race started like any other. I was excited and nervous to be racing against Carrie Sona, Karen H and Emily - Carrie and I chose to run first - It was hot and muggy already at 7AM. About 1 mile in on the first bike lap, my back tire slid out - I fell - I picked up my bike with my right hand and went to brush off my left arm. Blood quirted from my elbow/forearm. Immediately dropped Connor and used my brand new bike glove to stop the bleeding. I screamed for Jim who was just ahead. He had his iPod on - he did not hear me. Later, he said he thought he heard something, but though it was me enjoying a downhill. I hiked my bike back the mile. I vaguely remember growling at the person who took my bike from me. A 6-hour racer, Dave, the voice of reason, was there to rinse my arm and talk me into going to the ER in Potosi. Gabrielle R was kind enough to give me a lift in Robs car.
Dr. Christmas numbed me, kind of cleaned me, put in 10 stitches and then informed me I could get back on my bike - YAHOO! - On the drive back I reformulated my race plan - I only lost 2 hours - I still have a chance - Gabby please Drive faster! I'll only have 40 minutes of the numbing juice left when I get back.
Mile 6 was extremely painful - I've never had stitches and due to their placement, it was impossible to lift my front wheel. The newly added water bars - about 20 - were a challenge. I can do this still - I finished the 12 mile ride and changed shoes for the run. By now my arm was sweaty and stinging. I didn't need my arm to run right?! WRONG - I completed the 4.5 mile run to find Jim relaxing - He was done. Upon seeing me trying to put on my bike shoes he told me he took me out of the race. He knows Im not a quitter, so he quit for me. -Thanks Babe-
I do not expect anyone to understand why I got back on my bike. Mentally I thought I would be okay. I thought I could suck it up and just keep going. Physically, I could not. I do not regret it. Whenever I get hurt its difficult for me to feel comfortable again. I tend to ride scared and overly cautious. Now when I get the green light I think I will be okay. Just don't make fun of my bubble wrap.
Jim unwrapped my arm and asked Nurse Karen, also out of the race, to look at my injury - She promptly went into nurse mode and grabbed her supplies. She picked out more rocks-n-such and flushed my wound while I screamed in her ear.
Apparently Dr. Christmas missed the hole in my elbow and she applied some butterflies hoping they would hold. Thank you Karen - I hope your foot heals.
Apparently Dr. Christmas missed the hole in my elbow and she applied some butterflies hoping they would hold. Thank you Karen - I hope your foot heals.
Watching the other racers was hard. I did get to drink beer and eat some great grilled foods prepared by Jason. The winner of the mens 12 hour did 6 laps!! A new record. This guy was so fast he even lapped the second place fella. Emily won the 12 hour with 4 laps, Carrie was not far behind.
Upon seeing my regular doctor on Monday- he called the ER and let them know I would be there shortly. My arm was swollen and a scary red color. Jim left work early - and spent the next 5 days by my hospital bed - but that's another story.
Currently, my arm is in a sling and I'm incapable of typing, so my dish-washing, babysitting, lawn-mowing, laundry-doing son is typing for me. He's just great :-)
