Always wear a helmet

When I bought my new bike helmet, I had fully intended to write a post about the importance of a bike helmets.

Long story short, when I was 14 I fell off my bike and got a severe concussion. I was unconscious for 48 hours. A pretty serious accident.

Last night, Andrew and I decided to go for a quick bike ride to map out the route for our 12k run this morning on a new trail.

There were so many signs that were pointing in the “don’t go” direction, but we ignored them all.

First things first, my tires were flat.

Then the thing-a-me-jig that pumps the tires was dead.

By the time the tires were blown up it was almost dark and at that point I was ready to call it quits, but really wanted to map out our route.

I actually questioned wearing a helmet, because it was going to be such a short ride. Thankfully I didn’t listen to myself, and put on my helmet.

We arrived at the trail, only to discover that it was gravel. I have a hybrid. I told Andrew “I can’t ride on this”, so he offered to switch bikes because he has a mountain bike.

At this point it was pretty dark. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but I’m pretty sure my back tire hit some loose gravel, I hit a tree, and then proceeded to hit the ground… hard and fast.

I landed first on my shoulder, then my head hit the ground, followed by my knee.

I hit the ground so hard, my head literally bounced and I remember seeing sparks.

Andrew got the bike off me, and I broke out in hysterics. I was shaking uncontrollably.

I went and “walked it off” to calm down, because I knew that I was going to have to bike home.

The whole ride home, I was sobbing with the “what if” thoughts filling my mind.

What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet? What if I was alone? etc etc etc.

At home I ran a bath, while assessing my injuries.

Toe nail was ripped off as I was stupidly wearing flip flops.

Elbow was destroyed.

 

Knees and legs had scrapes.

I sobbed uncontrollably in the tub. Not because of the pain, but because I was just so shaken up.

We bandaged up my wounds, I popped some Tylenol, and was finally able to fall asleep.

I woke up this morning in extreme pain, mostly in my shoulder/rotator cuff area. I decided to bite the bullet and go to emerg. I was worried something was really wrong.

Good news: Nothing is broken. I have a severe tendon strain and have been diagnosed anti-inflamatories, pain killers and I had to also get a Tetnus shot because of all the scrapes.

Good news part two: I asked the doctor how long I would be set back. I politely mentioned that I play a lot of baseball, and am currently training for a half marathon. He gave me a referral for physio to help speed along my healing process.

Bad news: I had to sit in that germ filled disgusting waiting room.

I have instituted some new biking rules at our house.

Never bike without a helmet. Ever.

And, from now on we’re always carrying a cell phone. You just never know what might happen.

I’m pretty much useless with only one functioning arm, so I’m going to chill on the couch and watch our new cable.

What better than NYY vs Jays in HD?

Enjoy the rest of your day and be safe.

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