The Accident

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August 5, 2018 there I was, on the ground.  I could hear the sound of breaking glass and I was extremely dizzy. I tried to look around but everything was black.  I thought to myself “oh-oh this is serious, you are going to have to get yourself some help”. Reaching back into my jersey pocket I was happy to find my phone.  As I was trying to figure out how to get the phone off airplane mode I started to regain my sight.  I wasn’t sure if I had cell service until I reached a recording with instructions on what to press if I really was trying to dial 911.  I guess dialing 911 is no longer enough. “Hi, I have fallen off my bike and I am going to need some help”.

My short-term memory was failing me, I didn’t really know how I ended up separated from my bike and sprawled out on the trail.  My longer-term memory was much better. I was half way through my first ride of the week, knocking out a significant chunk of my 99/9 plan.  This was the year I was determined to get fit and lose weight.  I had been fighting the weight and fitness battle over the previous 10 years.  I had spent the past 6 months making changes with decent results in the most recent 3 months.  I was eating a Mediterranean diet and exercising.  I was enjoying the summer, riding my bike 99 miles and walking 9 miles per week. I had lost nearly 50 lbs and was in a great space but now was laying on a trail talking to a 911 operator unable to get up on my own.

"911 What’s the address of your emergency?" With the help of some people that happened to come upon me in this precarious situation I was able to give the 911 Operator a better idea of where I was located.  Transported to the hospital by ambulance I got the first look at my helmet, which was split and I was becoming aware of the road rash.  As I waited in the emergency room to be picked up for the CT scan I was overcome with a deep sadness.  The tears started to flow, not because of the road rash, multiple bruises, broken ribs and clavicle rather this sadness was deep in my soul.  I was finally doing it; I was in the best physical shape I had been in for years.  My 99/9 plan was a success though I was painfully aware this was not going to be my plan going forward.

It was determined I would need a clavicle plate implant and surgery was set for August 10^th, five days after the accident. During this time I was receiving emails from the FitBliss (www.fitbliss.com) group in relation to a Salesforce.com Dreamforce wellness challenge.  This was tied to the upcoming September 2018 Dreamforce conference I was scheduled to attend.  I had heard about this wellness challenge the year before and was interested in participating this year though I felt like in my current state I didn’t fit in, couldn’t participate, or even effectively contribute to my team.  How silly would it be to sign up for a wellness challenge in my current condition? I signed up, took a short gentle walk and had surgery the following day.

I spent the next 3 days healing my body and more importantly my mind.  Over this time I learned physical movement was my best medicine.  I explored the Fitbliss Wellness app and saw my previous 3 months of activity was included in the initial sync. I couldn’t believe that while I sat there with my broken body my stats reflected an athlete! I told myself “I am an athlete! I just now have to figure out what kind of athlete I am today to be the athlete I want to be tomorrow” and that is where my true road to recovery began.

I started walking; the current Fitbliss challenge was a steps challenge.  One foot in front of the other, I could do that.  I was part of a global team, of people who may have had their own obstacles (time, health, fitness level, state of mind) and I was actually not doing so badly.  While being respectful of my injuries I transitioned my 99/9 plan to a 5/5 plan, five miles five days a week.  Both my surgeon and physical therapist are shocked at how far I have come in such a short time and all with nothing stronger than ibuprophen. 

I am grateful for the Fitbliss team and the Salesforce.comOhana for picking me up off one trail and helping me find another!