Thank goodness because it takes me so long to post blogs this is now a request of prayers and thanking those for the prayers during this situation. Last Friday, my friend and co-worker, Brandi's life changed in a second. I commented on how we had just finished a good loud laugh about something, which is common for the two of us at work, when a friend came in and told her she needed to come with her to the hospital that her dad had been in a cycling accident. I will never forget Brandi's face when she turned around to grab what she could and run to her friends car.
Mr. Mike was on his regular morning ride on his bike, bicycle that is NOT motorcycle, when a car that did not see him, hit him from behind. Mike was awake at the scene, but soon had a seizure and was life flighted to the hospital. Side note, Brandi had just given him for Christmas the Road ID with his name, age, medical history, numbers to call in case of emergency, to wear on his shoe. They are worth the $20 for any athlete that you know, runners, cyclist, walkers, anyone who is on the road with vehicles around. So the Air Med guys new his information and who to call just by him having the small tag on his shoe, a gift from a few weeks before that made his family aware of what had happened almost immediately. Yay!
Ok, so Mr. Mike went into brain surgery almost immediately after arrival at the hospital. He also had several broken vertebrae in both his neck and back, brain at this point was most severe and #1 on the list of things to fix. He made it through the surgery great and went straight to ICU, where until this past Thursday was his home. Other than coming in and out of a deep sleep from all of the sedation meds, there was not too much action, however, every time a nurse or family member would ask him a question, Mike gave the correct answer!! YAY! He knows the current year, who is speaking to him, his name, family members around him and continues to become more aware of his surroundings. Now in his own private room, out of ICU, he has such hope for his recovery.
Please continue to pray for Mike, Sharon his wife, Ashley and Brandi his daughters. They appreciate the support and prayers from everyone!!!
This is only my second race, both were 1/2 marathons, being pregnant so I have learned to be less competitive in the sense I know I need to listen to my body and know my new limitations. I was still very upset with my chip time, 2:47, which did include waiting in a port-a-potty line to go to the bathroom at mile 10, some lower abdominal cramping also at mile 10 and walking through water stations to insure I stayed hydrated. My watch time, which timed only running and walking through stations was 2:35, but race officials don't care that I chose to wait in line to use the restroom, so my official time that haunts me is 2:47. My worst time by far in my career of running. Mile 12 was an emotional mile for me. Running has always been a very emotional and spiritual time for me, but this time was different, my eyes filled with tears with the thought that this was the last long competitive run for a good while. I am signed up for the full Houston marathon next year but that is a YEAR from now!!! I do have several 5K races to look forward to, but this goodbye to what I love more than almost everything, was so hard. Yes I am cleared to run as far as like everyday, but it is the competitive race that my heart longs for and that my body needs. Blake snuffed it off and didn't understand, but how could he-he does not have the runner's heart. My sports medicine doctor discussed it with me and was extremely supportive and understanding, however, he too possesses the runners passion and understanding. To give up something you truly love, is tough. But I am focused on the reason I am giving this love up, for a greater love...my baby girl!!!!! She is going to owe me big though, I told her on that mile that she will just have to like it when I strap her into the jogging stroller for a run to train for my 1st marathon post baby in January 2011!!!
