I was the victim of a hit and run today...(warning graphic pic)

First of all, hope you have a speedy recovery and glad you aren't hurt even more.

What part of the Vineman course was this on? drcherrybomb21 and I did the route earlier this year. Some of it is pretty isolated. Its lucky that you didn't get run completely off the road where people might not see you.

I hope you or others got enough details about the vehicle that hit you that the police will be able to track them down.

If you are in serious pain or risk complications after the immobilization period, you might consider another race at another time. For now, concentrate on healing and following your doctors advice. Everybody around here wants you to achieve this goal that you have been working towards, but not at too great a cost. Did you have an MRI or CT of your knee? Any bone, muscle, ligament damage?

Wow, dude... I'm glad you made it out *relatively* safe and sound.  Seems like it could've been much worse, and hope that driver gets caught.

I would not do the event with the sole reason being the high risk of infection in your knee... that's something that will permanently affect your future athletic endeavors because that's not something you can fully recover from.

My goodness- I hope your recovery is speedy and complete.

I would play it by ear...give yourself a few days off completely now so your body can try and heal itself well. Make sure to eat well so your body has the fuel needed to heal. May you could "train" the other leg (one legged stationary cycling for a while)...but obviously if the race is in a month the bulk of your training is behind you so if you feel up to racing then go for it. But mostly listen to your body - the only motor you will ever have!

Nurse Noa

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!!

I am so sorry that happened to you. The pics are disgusting and I hope you are doing okay physically and otherwise.

I haven't looked at your logs, but you've done HIMs, you say you're fit, and if you're doing a 112 a month out (and this isn't an anomaly), seems like you're pretty prepared. This would likely be a taper month anyway. Vineman is known to be a 'kind' course (I've driven and jockstrapped it but not done it) and 'kind' race, and even if you're not in as top shape as you would have been, you are probably okay to do the race.

See what the ortho says, see what your body says. Good luck to you.

Heal up quickly!

Gnarly photo.....glad you were taken to hospital to get attended to.

Really sucks about the accident and drivers not stopping.....it's scary how many towing don't realize that the object being towed is wider than their vehicle.

Your fitness is there for IM, question is will injuries allow you to do so and if you do participate will it harm your healing in any way. No way for us to know...time an follow ups with your docs will tell.

The focus, time and dedication it takes to be ready for IM is huge. Hang in there....good luck healing fast!

really sorry this happened!  but glad you are relatively unscathed.

I would not worry about any of the superficial injuries - sutures will be well healed by then BUT too early to tell how your knee and shoulder are - you very well could have soft tissue injury that is not yet apparent.  IF that all is clear in a day or 2 then I would say you are good to go to race provided that suture line heals without infection - if it is going to get infected it will be now, not at vineman.  If it is closed you will be fine.

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm not sure the extent of the injuries. One thing I'm certain, my knee really hurts. Once I see my ortho, I'll ask for an MRI and get his input (only x-rays were taken at the ER). If after the sutures come out, I'm still in pain or mobility is too compromised, I'll pull out of the race.

I'm hoping there won't be infection - rec'd an IV antibiotic at the hospital and pills for the next 10 days. Percocet is helping alleviate some of the pain.

Hurting today. I cleaned my knee this morning. This is what it looks like

My right shoulder is rather bruised, lacerated and sore (well, my whole body is achy). I checked my bike out today and looks like I will probably need a replacement right brake lever, new bar tape, housing (it was shaved through), new shifters, new pedals, new helmet (minor crack, don't want to chance wearing a damage helmet), new bike computer, and Garmin 310xt (smashed it).

I hit the ground with sufficient force to break the pedal. Crazy.

Tomorrow you are likely to feel even worse muscel soreness-wise. Your body releases chemicals in response to the trauma and you feel super achy. Nothing we can say is worth much right now. Do a status check in a week when you have more data. Good luck and Heal well and fast!

Wow!!!  That was a lot of force to break your pedals.  Getting a new helmet is definitely the right call.  Not worth taking a chance after a fall.  

Hang in there.  Unfortunately, I agree that you will probably be more sore in the next few days.  Take it easy and don't push too hard.

Get this stuff for the aches and pains. http://www.swansonvitamins.com/BRN006/ItemDetail?SourceCode=INTL404  It can be had at many drug and health food stores.  I get it at Super Suplements.

It's said to help with healing too.  I like it a lot.

Don't put it directly on the wound until it's all healed over.  You can put it around it if you'd like. 

I prefer the gel most times but the cream is just another way to put it on.

I'm told that it works pretty well for most people.  I've meet one person that didn't seem to get much out of it.

MArk B.

I am not a doctor but I agree with the above statement.  I wrecked my dirtbike several years ago and ended up with a similar injury to my elbow area.  It got infected and I ended up in the hospital for 7 days with a massive infection.  I had to have surgery and almost had to have a skin graft to get it to heal completely but a wound vac paired with a dressing derived from pig intestine finally got it to close.  I was out for 8 weeks and to this day still have some issues with the nerve endings.  I can post some gnarly pictures if you want to see what can happen.

Auch that looks like it hurt. That totally sucks for this to happen before your big race.

I dont do IM yet but I would see how things go. If its all superficial stuff and your all healed up and sounds like your all trained up go for it. If your skin still isnt healed or closed yet or if you have further problems pull out your health is more important. Vineman will be there next year again. Let us know how things are going. Oh yeah and pick up another race like someone suggested in here for a little later in the year, sounded like a good idea to me.

PS sounds like some people need to go back to driving school, that's terrible. Not knowing the size of your vehicle and load, not stopping at scene of an accident etc. If you had been really badly hurt he could have gone manslaughter. Good thing that didn't happen.

Holy F-  

Makes me feel like plowing my cleat into a boat!  +1 on a car that tried to kill me on a tri. HaHa, Stay strong and die another day! Good luck to you in your recovery.