Three weeks ago was the day I decided to test my skills as a dirt jumper. It's been a long time since I failed a test and boy, oh boy, I failed this one in a big way. The test took place at the Canmore Nordic Centre, in their nice little bike park. It was a beautiful sunny day and I was finishing up a short recovery ride. The park happened to be on my way home, so I figured why not? Jumps are fun! Thus, the stage was set for what would be my ultimate test.
As I dropped into the park and lined up for the jump I thought to myself "should I go big and pull a Superman or go conservative and clear the jump?" After a short deliberation I decided to go big. As the saying goes, "Go Big or Go Home". Well, it turns out that statement is incorrect, it should actually be "Go Big and Go Home".
After I hit the jump I realized that my front tire was way lower than my back tire and there was no way I was landing this on my bike. So I quickly let go of the bike and prepared for the inevitable. The only thing I remember about my landing was that it wasn't pretty and thankfully I was wearing a helmet. As I regained my thoughts, grunting and groaning, I realized that something about my body wasn't right. I was breathing fine, therefore my lungs hadn't been punctured, my breathing wasn't labored so my ribs were intact, and I could walk indicating that my legs hadn't been broken, but there was a tightness in my forearms. As I lay on the ground trying to analyze the last few minutes I hoped that the tightness in my arms would go away. After ten minutes of huffing and puffing on the ground I figured I should attempt to make it home. Miraculously my bike was hardly scratched so I picked it up and tried to ride home. When I realized I couldn't change gears or brake I knew something was seriously wrong with my forearms.
After five hours in the emergency room it was revealed that I had broken both radii heads at the elbow joints. The doctor said the injury was caused by the radius bone being jammed into the humerus with too much force. Luckily I didn't need a cast and was instead equipped with two fiberglass splints to limit the movement of the joints. The doctor said the expected recovery time was around four weeks. My splints are now off but it is still going to take a while to fully regain the strength that I had.
Training has taken a bit of a detour from what I had planned. Instead of skiing on the glacier this past week I've been riding old Tour de France's on my stationary bike and hiking with an overloaded backpack, back home in Parry Sound. I figure that I can probably start running this week, but as the doc said "Don't Fall!" This has meant that my legs are getting incredibly strong, while my arms are withering away. I am not too worried as I have always been able to build strength quickly, but it is certainly a mental bother.
Since the accident, every day has been a new test. First it was losing my independence, something you truly take for granted. Next it was building that independence up again. I have never been so excited as on the day I was able to put on my own socks and tie my own shoes again. With all the easy milestones accomplished the true test has begun: can I get back to full strength in time for racing season? That question can only be answered after the first race in Canmore. But let me tell you, I will do everything I can to be at 100% on race day.
Thank you to everyone who has given me support, you have no idea how much it means. Time to go kick Lance's ass again!
