First tri = DNF bike crash and surgery
KathleenKP
Posts: 580 Member
well, i ended up in surgery yesterday - broke my arm when i crashed on the bike. so i got a DNF for my first tri. 
others had to go to er also, but i was the only surgery. lots of bike crashes. it was a light rain mist on the oil droppings. i was under 20 mph when i crashed. right hand turn at a streetlight, course had been narrowed to bike lane width, someone was right at the corner so i braked too hard to not crash intoher. then others behind would have crashed into us. corner was not well designed on the course for above reasons. i ended up in the middle of intersection - 5 + lanes going each way - EW and NS (why it was so slick there - it was a busy road). i rode right past my doctor's house, he told me. so nice of him to be waiting for me. almost all surgical team are/were racing cyclists, so they wanted details of the crash.
i went to view the course on Sat and was really excited bc I knew i could do well on the bike...it was hills, but very similar to my training route. and the run was flat so i should have done well (for me) even on that.
swim went well, did"t need a wetsuit. started at 7am, was in hospital before 8. i was surprised how the swim took it out of me (it's my strength, and I was one of the first females out) must have been the adrenaline. i did't take a fuel pack cuz i thought i'd be ok after the swim, but when i got on the bike, i knew i should have. and fuel packs were back at transition area. i ate a normal light amount pre-race, good enough for my workouts, but my stomach was growling before the race even started. i should have kept the fuel handy, and will next time. i was slow at T1 since i didnt want to run with sand between my toes so i spent too much time cleaning them, so even those with wetsuits got out of T1 before me.
i looked at results and i likely would have placed in top third of my AG. maybe top half if i really bombed the run due to no fuel. but it was a flat run course, so i thought i'd actually be faster than my training runs on the bike/run bricks.
i haven't seen the bike yet. it's at someone else's house. hope to get it today. i heard it's pretty messed up. i probably should have gone straight through the intersection instead of still attempting the turn when my front tire was giving way. i don't know if i'd have gotten dq'ed for that, but all cars were stopped for us and maybe my crash wouldn't have been as bad.
everything i had at transition area went back with race director, so i have to locate it. and get my timing chip back. they said they have insurance for accidents, but i'm not sure how this will work out (my health insurance vs race insurance). i saw it on the site pre-race, but can't find it now. race dcirector also said it in the pre-race announcements.
others had to go to er also, but i was the only surgery. lots of bike crashes. it was a light rain mist on the oil droppings. i was under 20 mph when i crashed. right hand turn at a streetlight, course had been narrowed to bike lane width, someone was right at the corner so i braked too hard to not crash intoher. then others behind would have crashed into us. corner was not well designed on the course for above reasons. i ended up in the middle of intersection - 5 + lanes going each way - EW and NS (why it was so slick there - it was a busy road). i rode right past my doctor's house, he told me. so nice of him to be waiting for me. almost all surgical team are/were racing cyclists, so they wanted details of the crash.i went to view the course on Sat and was really excited bc I knew i could do well on the bike...it was hills, but very similar to my training route. and the run was flat so i should have done well (for me) even on that.
swim went well, did"t need a wetsuit. started at 7am, was in hospital before 8. i was surprised how the swim took it out of me (it's my strength, and I was one of the first females out) must have been the adrenaline. i did't take a fuel pack cuz i thought i'd be ok after the swim, but when i got on the bike, i knew i should have. and fuel packs were back at transition area. i ate a normal light amount pre-race, good enough for my workouts, but my stomach was growling before the race even started. i should have kept the fuel handy, and will next time. i was slow at T1 since i didnt want to run with sand between my toes so i spent too much time cleaning them, so even those with wetsuits got out of T1 before me.
i looked at results and i likely would have placed in top third of my AG. maybe top half if i really bombed the run due to no fuel. but it was a flat run course, so i thought i'd actually be faster than my training runs on the bike/run bricks.
i haven't seen the bike yet. it's at someone else's house. hope to get it today. i heard it's pretty messed up. i probably should have gone straight through the intersection instead of still attempting the turn when my front tire was giving way. i don't know if i'd have gotten dq'ed for that, but all cars were stopped for us and maybe my crash wouldn't have been as bad.
everything i had at transition area went back with race director, so i have to locate it. and get my timing chip back. they said they have insurance for accidents, but i'm not sure how this will work out (my health insurance vs race insurance). i saw it on the site pre-race, but can't find it now. race dcirector also said it in the pre-race announcements.
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ouch, that does not sound fun, hope you heal quickly , get your things back, and that your bike is ok, or are you looking for an excuse for a new one
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Wow. Glad you made it without anything worse. Sorry your first one ended like this, but at least you have some street cred now 0
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Like it or not, this crap happens. I wish you great speed healing, and I wish your bike spectacular repair work when you get it, then get it in a shop.
I'm sorry this had to happen, especially on your first tri.
If this helps (Don't know why it would?) I had a bike accident 4.5 weeks ago. I'm still recovering. I had to cancel two races. A half iron, and my second ironman. I was crushed the day I emailed to cancel the races. The ironman goes off in 5 more days.
I guess what I'm trying to say, in a really poor way, is: I know your pain. I won't be crossing my finish lines, either. it sucks, but it's Life.
The day I crashed, I ended up in the middle of a busy intersection. These local farmers who witnessed it all came to my aid and started directing traffic as I lay there, sprawled out in the middle of the road. I was terrified of this, so against their strongest advice I made myself crawl over to the side of the road, where they took care of me till the ambulance came. Since it wouldn't fit in the ambulance, they also took my bike. Which is otherwise known as my trusty steed. (I LOVE LOVE LOVE my bike.) It hurt being away from it. It took a few days before the farmers were able to stop by with her, but they did eventually bring her back.
When I was able to do it, I got my trusty steed (her name is Gwinnie) to the bike shop for repairs. She had it easy. I took a beating. So be it. I got her back, put her on a bike trainer, and spun on her for about 15 minutes, just to take the edge off the emotional issues I've been having since my crash.
But enough of that. Here's the lowdown on it all: You're going to heal. It may take a while. Probably a heckofalot longer than you want it to. But it'll happen. Then you're going to get back on your bike, jump back in that pool, and slide back into those running shoes. And you're going to train for your next triathlon. Then you're going to race it, from start to finish. You're going to kick a few peoples' *kitten* in the process, and totally enjoy yourself as you're doing it. I promise. Jeez, I guarantee it. It will happen. In the meantime, focus on your healing. It sucks, and it gets lonely and frustrating and aggravating and the whole enchilada. I know, because I'm going through it now. But healing does happen.
Just be sure to have faith in yourself, and in the healing process. Do those two things, and you'll be fine. And before you know it, you'll be crossing finish lines and leaving all sorts of people in your dust. Honest.
TriJoe.0 -
Yikes--sorry this happened. Get better soon!0
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Heal up quick. Sorry.0
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Ouch, sorry to hear this happened (whether it's your first tri or your thousandth....)0
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Thanks for the comments and war stories. They help.
I guess I'll never be able to forget the details of my first tri. Not the ending I had envisioned at all. I think I'm even more disappointed in not getting my times than I am in the hospital visit. I just want to get out there and do the course again.
I got the bike back, and I think it's actually fine. It's my friend's bike and she has had two major crashes on it (one was a pile up with her entire riding group and involved broken collar bones). Perhaps everyone who saw and reported how bad the bike was didn't know the character marks it had even before my crash. It looks mostly like some parts need to be adjusted back into place...easy fixes. I'll take it in to the bike shop, though, and have them look it over with their trained eyes.
I see the ortho doc tomorrow when he will look at the surgical site. I can see and feel that the hand is swollen. My fingers are blue, but still have feeling and I can move them. He might call me in tonight. I went for a slow walk yesterday (all I'm allowed to do right now) and noticed the blue fingers after that. I saw a doctor friend last night and he thought I was OK at that point as long as I iced and keep my arm up, so I've readjusted the sling. I think the swelling is pressing on the nerves today.0 -
Trijoe - sorry about your races. What are you going to do on Saturday?0
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Feel better soon!0
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I have to admit. i took the corners real easy after riding your post. I hope you have a speedy recovery!0
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Just a quick update - I met with the race director and got my transition things back. It was a USAT sanctioned event, so there is insurance to cover what my health insurance does not. I'm hoping that will all go smoothly, although I will have (and already have) a lot of phone calls and paperwork to do. I'll not complain about the USAT fees, and I'll make sure all tris that I do are covered.
Thank you for the well wishes. And glad you took your corners slower. The corner that got me was the bad one, and it won't be on the route next year. It took several other riders out, too.0
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