I'm pretty freaked out right now. I joined a new running group, and we went out tonight. We start at 6, and it's already dark by then. Tonight we broke up into two groups of three, because we were having a scavenger hunt. This is a beginners/recreational runners group and the scavenger hunt was to make running an enjoyable activity for the beginners. The two women I ran with are both experienced runners, and one had recently completed the Wisconsin Ironman.
The roads are not well-lit and there is some road construction going on in the area. We wear reflective vests and some of us wear headlamps. Ironman K joined our group tonight as a guest; she's not familiar with the area.
All was going fine, and then for safety's sake, we were looking to run into the neighborhood to get away from the highway traffic. K was in the lead and as she ran into the construction zone so started screaming. We caught up with her and learned that she hit something and her leg was bleeding very significantly. We walked over to the nearby gas station and applied paper towels to her shin. The guys working there gave us a bag of ice and called 911. K laid down on the ground and elevated her leg, while her friend A applied compression. Good thing we watched ER, we joked. I supposed we should have covered her with a blanket to prevent shock, but we didn't think of it.
I sat on the ground and had K put her head on my lap so she would be more comfortable while we waited for the ambulance. The police arrived first and took her information, and within 20 minutes the ambulance came. There was no chance of treating her on the spot and letting her go--she was destined for the hospital. Fortunately, K was coherent and told us her medical history--allergic to tetanus! We were all calm, at least on the outside, but I was just trying to be strong for K. I joked that I had something to put on my blog.
When the ambulance arrived, the attendant cleaned up her leg. That's when I saw the damage: a hole about the size of a nickel in her shin. I looked away so that she wouldn't see me freaked out. A. saw me and mouthed, "Is it bad?" I nodded. But K saw her wound and reacted very calmly.
The ambulance whisked her away to the hospital and A and I walked back to the club to report what had happened. Of course our coach was freaked out and felt guilty, although she has nothing to feel guilty about. It was an accident. "From now on, we're running on the treadmill," she said. I almost agree with her.
A. drove K's car to the hospital and planned to meet her husband there. I showered and drove to meet my friend for dinner. You would think after all that blood I wouldn't be able to eat, but I was famished. And shaky; I needed food to take the edge off. As I drove to the restaurant, I thought about how dangerous running is--one mis-step and you've got a twisted ankle or worse. And bicycling can be hazardous, too. It makes me scared of athletics.
I usually run with my cell phone, but for this short run, I didn't bring it. I will from now on. I try to anticipate what can go wrong and at the same time scoff at myself for being such a "worry wart." I wait for people who are slower than me, to make sure they're OK. I think it's time to buy that Road ID I'm always seeing advertised.
I wasn't going to post about this accident, because I didn't want to sensationalize K.'s injury. But I wanted to share this with you, because it's so unsettling. And I wanted to know if any of you have experienced injury on the run and how you deal with it.
I spoke with A. about an hour ago, (two hours post accident). K is still at the emergency room and expects to be released in a few hours. I figured they'd hospitalize her, but I guess they're going to let her go home. I'll call tomorrow and see how she's doing. My guess is that she's going to be in a lot of pain. If you pray, please remember her in your prayers.
8 comments:
Whoa, that is scary. Prayers to your friend!
Very scarey! Do you know what she collided with in the construction zone? And we all ran through that area on Monday night!
I hope K is doing OK.
OMG! That's scary!
It doesn't have to be dark to have an accident as I well know firsthand (hit by car on bike). But a few years ago a group of friends were running at lunch, at a time when they were tearing up the area with either new construction or new sewer lines in the streets. As we were picking our way down the sidewalk, one woman stumbled over a chunk of concrete that had been thrown up on the sidewalk, fell, hit her chin on the sidewalk, and messed herself up otherwise. This was broad daylight and still there was a mishap. You have to be careful no matter where you are or what you're doing, but running in the dark presents additional hazards.
Scary Dori. I hope that she is okay.
HORRIBLE!
Good thing you and A were there to help.
I'll keep her in my thoughts.
Wow. What a night. Condolences to your friend; I hope she comes through it with a minimum of pain and stress. She was lucky to have you with her.
Regarding your question about injury while running: not me, thankfully, but about thirteen years ago, a friend fell when we were running in Central Park and shattered his kneecap. I flagged down a police car and they called an ambulance, so I went to the hospital with him and stayed there until he was admitted. He needed surgery and was in for four or five days, and then had a hip to ankle brace for about four months.
All anyone can do in a situation like that is exactly what you did: stay calm and reassuring, and get help as soon as possible. Take care and try not to let this incident scare you indoors. There are too many good things outside to miss.
Yes. Buy the Road ID. I always wear mine, sometimes I wear two (one around my neck, on the chain, one tied into my shoelaces).
Accidents happen so fast. People are so vulnerable. It is frightening. Luckily, she was with you, and not alone. At least she had moral and physical support!
I hope she heals fast.
Post a Comment