Son of a... Hit by a cage... running
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:09 am
This is my last semester of my PhD work. I graduate in a month and hopefully by that time I'll be accepted to med school. If stress wasn't bad enough, I somehow managed to get clipped by a honda minivan during my run this morning.
As I ran down the street, heat pounding, feet pumping, enjoying the brisk cool morning breeze I started to get concerned about the silver honda van coming around the corner in front of me. Never one to ignore my surroundings I force myself every day to not sink into that ipod blaring, trendy running outfit crowd. I keep a bright reflective sash on, run towards traffic and when I can stay as far off the road as possible.
There's one spot that connects my house to the Curtis Trail along Arlington's I-66 corridor. It has windy narrow streets leading onto the bigger boulevards that criss cross the region. As the honda came whipping around the corner I noted three things. First, she was on her cellphone. That was readily apparent as she was facing behind her apparently yelling at someone in the backseat, that was teh second thing I noticed. It was the third thing, however, that gave me the most pause. She was heading directly towards me.
The laws of physics apply to runners as well as motorcyclists. I gave it everything I had to try and do an immediate 90 degree change in direction but it was too little too late. I felt it first in my hip as the car gave me a glancing blow. The next few seconds seemed to last forever as I gave up my purchase on terra firma and soared through a perfect arch with an imperfect landing.
My shoulder hit first, and gave. Next my back landed and I skidded until I caught on something and began tumbling end over end. Then perfect serenity for a beautiful few seconds before the pain crashed over me.
I took a second before beginning a self assessment. I knew who I was, where I was and what had happened. I recalled what I'd eaten that morning- ok fine for now mentally. A quick assessment of my body condition showed my shoulder to not look like I remembered it and I distinctly remembered it giving. A small push and it slid right back into place. Odd... that should have... Pain jolted through me, then settled into a dull throb.
Great. This is what I get for trying to stay healthy.
The woman approached me at that point to see if I was ok. I got up, took in her hysteria and told her that I was probably alright, but I'd appreciate a trip to the hospital.
On teh way there and again later with an officer present she told me that she had been on her phone, and was scolding her kid in the back. "I only took my eyes off the road for a split second," she whimpered out.
End result-
-nothing broken
-Places aching
-Shoulder imobilized
-Term paper two hours late.
I'm starting to hate running but these drugs worked out great!
As I ran down the street, heat pounding, feet pumping, enjoying the brisk cool morning breeze I started to get concerned about the silver honda van coming around the corner in front of me. Never one to ignore my surroundings I force myself every day to not sink into that ipod blaring, trendy running outfit crowd. I keep a bright reflective sash on, run towards traffic and when I can stay as far off the road as possible.
There's one spot that connects my house to the Curtis Trail along Arlington's I-66 corridor. It has windy narrow streets leading onto the bigger boulevards that criss cross the region. As the honda came whipping around the corner I noted three things. First, she was on her cellphone. That was readily apparent as she was facing behind her apparently yelling at someone in the backseat, that was teh second thing I noticed. It was the third thing, however, that gave me the most pause. She was heading directly towards me.
The laws of physics apply to runners as well as motorcyclists. I gave it everything I had to try and do an immediate 90 degree change in direction but it was too little too late. I felt it first in my hip as the car gave me a glancing blow. The next few seconds seemed to last forever as I gave up my purchase on terra firma and soared through a perfect arch with an imperfect landing.
My shoulder hit first, and gave. Next my back landed and I skidded until I caught on something and began tumbling end over end. Then perfect serenity for a beautiful few seconds before the pain crashed over me.
I took a second before beginning a self assessment. I knew who I was, where I was and what had happened. I recalled what I'd eaten that morning- ok fine for now mentally. A quick assessment of my body condition showed my shoulder to not look like I remembered it and I distinctly remembered it giving. A small push and it slid right back into place. Odd... that should have... Pain jolted through me, then settled into a dull throb.
Great. This is what I get for trying to stay healthy.
The woman approached me at that point to see if I was ok. I got up, took in her hysteria and told her that I was probably alright, but I'd appreciate a trip to the hospital.
On teh way there and again later with an officer present she told me that she had been on her phone, and was scolding her kid in the back. "I only took my eyes off the road for a split second," she whimpered out.
End result-
-nothing broken
-Places aching
-Shoulder imobilized
-Term paper two hours late.
I'm starting to hate running but these drugs worked out great!
