Regarding the incidents of August 7th

First of all, my sincere thanks (again) to everyone. I've received calls, emails, comments, and visits from some great people, and it really helps to keep my spirits up as I lay here watching Frazier re-runs and Food Network, dabbing away fluid building on my face and dreading tonight's wound scrubbing. You guys are great, and it means the world to me to see so much caring and concern.

I'm trying not to beat myself up too bad, dissecting the day and seeing where I could have made different decisions to change the course of time. Tuesday was hot. Really hot. When I set out on the bike it was about 98 deg, and I was very concerned about hydration. But, I loaded up on fluids instead of calling it off. I also could have joined a swimming clinic I could have used, but wanted to bike instead. Hey, I was moving up to the A group after all!

But all of that really doesn't do me any good: it happened, and what I need to focus on is how to heal, get back out there, and ensure it doesn't happen again if I can possibly avoid it from my own efforts. Which doesn't necessarily mean slowing down (sorry Mendy), but rather riding smarter and improving my handling skills.

Anyway, the ride was going extremely well for me, and I felt strong. Really strong. I was attacking some hills and pushing myself, recovering fast, and holding some nice speed. I was even doing well on hydration. As we crossed a main road, I noticed everyone around me seemed to be in way too high a gear, or just losing their oomph to get going again. So I took off and got aero, as the G-Man termed it "took off down a road in full aero mode like he was being chased by Godzilla." That made me laugh (painfully) Chris! Thanks!

I came toward the bottom of the hill where there was an S bend over a bridge. I realized I was coming in way too hot, and got out of my aero bars to try and scrub speed. For anyone that's ridden a triathlon or time trial bike, you know that takes precious moments. I realize almost immediately that there is almost no chance I'm gonna make it through this one. I would estimate I was traveling about 30+ mph at that point, and the last 50 feet went by in a flash. Before I knew it, my front wheel hit and I hears a loud snap as I felt the impact on my head and face. This must have been the point where my left shoulder and forearm was injured. I twirled around, impacting my right calf, forearm, and shoulder, rolled, and came to a stop near a seated position. I semi-stood up and leaned against the wall.

Instantly I was concerned for the state of my face: blood was pouring out of my nose as Chris and some of the others showed up and began tending to me. People were telling me I had to get dirt out of my face right now, and water bottles were offered up immediately. I feel horrible for accidentally blowing water, spit, and blood over those that were helping me (Cynthia from Carolina Tri, and Tonya's husband - sorry, I forgot your name bro). Clay initiated the phone calls, and I helped him locate my phone and what numbers to dial. Chris called the Y when Clay couldn't reach Mendy right away. She had already left, and just about then Mendy picked up and talked with Clay. After a few moments I spoke with her, and reassured her that I was okay, and it wasn't that serious. Ha ha ha, we men are funny, huh?

A sheriff's deputy came rolling by and almost passed, until she saw me and backed up, parked, and began directing the scene. One of the riders that was helping me rinse my face called his wife, Tonya, who was right up the road at home. She came down and they helped me into her truck. I'm so sorry if I got some grossness on the seat! While Clay and I were lobbying for me to just go home and clean it myself, the Deputy notified us we were pretty stupid for thinking that way (without saying that, of course) and that she was notifying EMS. Mendy was on her way, and then I heard the sirens. I said, "Oh no, I hope Mendy gets here before the emergency vehicles, or she'll freak out." She didn't, and the emergency workers began assisting me and assessing my condition.

Mendy arrived, looking white as a ghost, and Tonya immediately took Grace off her hands so she could come see me. She looked on, tears in her eyes, as the medics were tending to me. I felt so bad for worrying her, so I tried to smile and gave her the OK symbol. Naturally, I was already cutting up with the medics, who didn't know what to think at first. A couple of them responded and we joked around a bit. Mendy wasn't joking yet, though.

So, I had a decision to make: let the EMS folks scrub me out without pain killer or go to the hospital where I would get some happy drugs. Uh, hospital please! So then I had to decide if I was going in the Wham!bulance, or if Mendy was going to drive. I decided to go with the less dramatic route, and ride in my car. We arrived at the ER and checked in, me standing there barefooted, in my tri suit with dirt and blood all over it, and a bloody cold pack pressed against my hamburgered face.

We were seen fairly quickly, and I resumed my joking with the nurses. Mendy had her hands full with Grace (it was getting late by now), and all was good...until it was time to scrub. For some reason, the least severe looking abrasion was by far the most painful, almost bringing tears to my eyes as they scrubbed it out. Anyway, 5 x-rays, 6 shots, 7 stitches, and a bunch of scrubbing later, I was on my way out with some medical supplies and an awesome prescription in hand. It was coming up on midnight, so we had to go to the all night pharmacy. Finally I got into bed, and attempted to sleep; I really couldn't get comfortable all night, and wound up with about 5.5 hours of sleep, but was able to nap quite a bit yesterday.

Tonight is not going to be fun, with the cleaning, but it's all part of healing. I'm drinking tons of water and eating as much as I can bear to, which isn't much. Tomorrow morning is the follow-up doctor appointment, which I hope goes well. I think I'll watch 300 this afternoon to prepare for this evening.

Thanks again, and a special thanks to Mendy for being so supportive and good to me. Sorry for the worry. I love you.