NO F'ING WAY!!!!! - My exact -words after getting hit by a mountain biker who hit me, left me lying on limestone trail as he took off.
Where do I even begin? Most of you who read my blog already know the story - I was out for a run on October 30, just stretching my legs, as I came around a corner only to be met by a mad mountain biker, who over shot the turn, and ran smack into me at full speed. I flew in the air, and landed square on my right hip, and instantly knew this was not just a bad fall. The topper - this excellent representative of the human race, who was knocked off his bike, got up, dusted himself off and promptly took off. It was spectacularly awful and amazing at the same time. The absolute lack of acknowledgement of the damage he had done, mixed with the pain shooting through me actually prompted me to stand up. Probably not the best move, but the adrenaline was at full tilt and I knew I had to get to a hospital. Thanks to an older gentleman who came riding by had the kindness to ask if I was ok, offered his cell phone and escorted me to the street where I could be picked up. Yes, I walked a half mile on a broken right hip.
Fast forward to today, and I am fortunate to not need surgery, getting around fairly well on crutches, and feeling stronger every day. But once again, its back to the drawing board, digging deep to get to the next step, and the one after that. In the midst of the injury and the surgery for my ear, a few short words of wisdom were sent to me via email from my best friend, Brian MacKenzie. He wrote - "focus on this moment. Don't look past it, own it, handle it, and move on to the next. But for right now, focus on each moment at a time. That's how you heal, that's how you progress".
Brian knows me well enough to know I was angry, frustrated, flat out pissed. But at the same time he knows what it means to come back from an injury, more than one actually, stronger and better than before. And he knew reminding me of what I did just a little over a year ago, was the best way to keep me on track. He's right. Why? B/c being angry about what happened or dwelling on the work that lies ahead doesn't change anything. It doesn't heal my hip any faster, it doesn't make the guy who did it come forward and confess. And the same goes for anyone who suffers a set back of any kind. If you don't stay positive, then don't expect to heal fast, get healthier, etc. Stay in the moment, no matter the pain, the anger, whatever, stay in it, face it, and then move on. Otherwise, you are giving the power to people or things that don't deserve it. And that's a fact.
In the short time since the accident, my faith in humanity has been restored - members at the club who barely know me offering me rides, offering to pick up groceries, etc. Its been an amazing thing to witness. Its restored my faith in humanity. And, I'm going to get to try water running with the one and only Jennifer Conroyd, have met and started to work with Dr. Matt Peahl, and have been reunited with my good friend, Gina Pongetti who is dead set on getting me healthy again. And of course, my athlete, Moira Gilroy came to see me with a grocery bag of vitamins and minerals, wanting to see her coach back on his feet fast. So I get to take some time to focus on my athletes and clients, research more on the things I love most - improving the human body and nutrition, read, and heal.
For those of you who have reached out already - thank you. It means a great deal to me. And to those just getting caught up to speed, no worries, I'm getting stronger everyday.
Stay strong,
Guy
