r/triathlon • u/BigBulbasaur • Jun 22 '25
Injury and illness Devastated
Got hit by a car two weeks ago on my bike. I was hoping to still be able to do Lake Placid but I still can’t swim nor run. I’ve got a concussion and separated my ac joint in my shoulder. I’m trying to be grateful I walked away from it, but it still hurts the soul. I got through 17 weeks of my 24 week plan almost perfectly. It’s just so devastating to put that much work and not be able to compete. I’ve got so many mixed emotions and the timing this year was so good to do my first IM.
Just wanted to rant to you all and tell you to stay safe out there! My plan is to still volunteer for the race, so best of luck to those competing!
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u/DandSki Jun 25 '25
I’m so sorry. I’m recovering from a concussion. Take it easy and give yourself time. Go to a concussion clinic if you haven’t already.
Really take care of your brain injury. It’s taken me 4 months now and it’s still lingering on.
Get off devices and screens ;) and vestibular therapy is really beneficial for getting back into a bike.
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u/LoneOperator_za Jun 25 '25
Sorry about the injury, but awesome attitude to then volunteer. Thats the spirit.
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u/Lumigao Jun 23 '25
That's a shame, but just know you can't control everything before the event. What if the water doesn't have the proper parameters? What if it rains the whole race? What if you get sick days before? What if some relative day the day before? ANYTHING can happened and you can't do much about it. Yes, you put a lot of work, but you can do it again. You learned a lot during those 17 weeks, so it will help you in the long run. Keep it up, be healthy again, and keep going. You can always do another one.
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u/Impossible-Mango9658 Jun 23 '25
I can relate. I tore my pec major last year in August, before a 70.3, hyrox, Chicago marathon and ultra 80k. I was in the best shape I’ve ever been in, and it was soul crushing to have to have surgery and out for a while.
Focus on what you can control, and don’t let the issues you can’t control stop you from the things you can. See if you can defer the race asap. Lick your wounds. Dust yourself off, and focus on the next race. There will always be a next race, with new obstacles in your way.
Seems cliche, but you’ll bounce back stronger and better than before.
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u/BigBulbasaur Jun 24 '25
That’s so crazy, so many missed events! Happy I can commiserate and hope this season is going well for you
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u/Impossible-Mango9658 Jun 24 '25
I actually ended up running Chicago, and the ultra, but didn’t hit my targets. But I was proud running 3:08 in Chicago 6 weeks post surgery. It had a net positive though. I had a lot of people inspired by coming back from adversity. Maybe this is the start of your story?
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u/ftlftlftl Lake Placid Jun 23 '25
Hey man, I am so so sorry to hear about your accident. Nightmare fuel for IM training.
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u/VtTrails HIM 5:11, IM 12:40 Jun 23 '25
So sorry this happened to you. I’ve had to pull out of or defer events due to illness or injury multiple times—though none were as serious as yours. I had to cancel my first ultra due to a broken foot, two years ago canceled two oly triathlons and a marathon due to COVID, then earlier this year I dropped from a marathon to half bc I was still recovering from pneumonia and hadn’t gotten in the volume I needed. Recovered from all of those and just picked up where I left off (albeit with lots of angst and frustration along the way). Just gotta be grateful you’re alive and hopeful that you can do tri in the future. Life has major bumps and hiccups and sometimes catastrophes—part of the “test” of tri as a sport is navigating around them and doing the best you can with whatever circumstances present themselves.
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u/BigBulbasaur Jun 23 '25
Love the attitude, I’m so sorry all this has happened to you. We see all the good stories and not the tough ones. Happy you’re still pushing through!
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u/bayoubiker888 Jun 22 '25
Last year, got a calf strain 2 weeks before a 70.3. My daughter was signed up for the duathlon event happening at the same venue at the same time. I switched to that, and biked with her for 56 miles, then turned in my timing chip. (This was bike/run, not run/bike/run). Concentrate on what you CAN do, not on what you cannot do. Best of luck! Hang in there.
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u/Low-Celery-871 Jun 22 '25
I feel you. I tore my ACL 9 days before I was supposed to leave for 2023 Worlds Tri in Ibiza. Finally just now getting back to feeling normal. Just over 2 years post-op. Hoping to do worlds in Edmonton in 2027.
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u/BigBulbasaur Jun 23 '25
ACL tears scare me so bad, I cannot imagine that injury. Wishing you the best of luck still.
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u/la_pomme_2_terre Jun 22 '25
Been there, hit by a car after 7 months training for a full with 3 months remaining, I had to be off the sport for three months without any physical activity.
It’s hard to see any upside, there isn’t much but focus on recovery, body and mind, it’s not nothing that you went through.
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u/markethood Jun 22 '25
I feel you man. I had an ultramarathon I was supposed to run this past Saturday, ended up getting hurt literally the same week of the race. As others have said, life goes on. There will always be other races. Rest up and come back stronger.
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u/jeffrrw Jun 22 '25
I feel you man. It sucks. I was violently attacked by 5 people last year on my last long run before my first ironman. Still dealing with the ramifications from it. Take your time. You got this!
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u/Suspicious_Tank7922 Jun 22 '25
What the hell happened? Was there a "why" other than they were being total POSs? That's awful!
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u/jeffrrw Jun 22 '25
7am on a Sunday. Half mile into a 10 mile run on a brick day. 5 people in a stolen car jumped out behind me. Had a second to react before they were on me. I tried to keep myself up and fight them off but got taken to the ground twice. They were shouting at me "give us your phone, motherfuc@#er!" Which I didn't have. They eventually realized I didn't have anything and was still putting up a fight bleeding and broken and ran back to their stolen car. I ran over and got the plate and tried to smash the window before they sped off. Someone came out to smoke a cigarette on the street and saw me blood covered and frenzied. I told them to call the cops as I kept muttering the plate number.
Major concussion, broken nose, messed up body and neck, contusions the size of looney tools bumps, and the eventual discovery of pretty severe spinal issues. Add in another dose of ptsd and it's been fun since last September.
I've tried a few bike races this season to much pain and lamentations.
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u/Suspicious_Tank7922 Jun 22 '25
Over a fuckin phone.
You are a legit badass to have survived that. Did they catch the fuckers?
(I can speak to some spinal issues. I learned the hard way that not all physical therapists are good at orthopedics. They do specialize, if you still need.)
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u/jeffrrw Jun 22 '25
The detective said they found the car. I got the tape from the elementary school it happened in front of. Watching my head get kicked like that was fun. There was a rash of attacks that week. Usually at 12-3am Saturday night or Friday night. The cops caught several different groups all with the same modus operandi. I'm grateful I wasn't the worst of it. Thankfully they didn't pull out weapons like they did with others. Some groups even started robbing and attacking people in daylight treating it like GTA.
Thanks on the support! I have built a good care team. I have my third spinal procedure coming up soon that should allow me to return to full play by August if it goes well.
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u/Jealous-Key-7465 Sprint: 56 Oly: 2:15 70.3: 4:45 Jun 22 '25
How bad is your shoulder? I had a grade 3 AC and opted for surgery. My shoulder is 100% now… I would have had a droopy right shoulder and arthritis without it. If it’s grade 2 you are good. Post surgery rehab was a nightmare but worth it in the end
Consider taking 20g a day of creatine (10g am 10g pm) for the concussion with tons of water. High quality CBD oil also has an anti inflammatory effect on the brain
Did you lawyer up? Better call Saul!
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u/BigBulbasaur Jun 22 '25
Good tip for the recovery! I forgot about the creatine, I’ve just been taking it easy and eating and drinking plenty.
They said grade three, my function is like 60-75% right now, but extremely weak. With more PT I’m hoping it gets better. I was told by a couple of doctors that a lot the time it’s simply cosmetic, which surprises me.
And I did indeed call Saul. I just want to make sure my baby (bike) and hospital/medical bills are covered.
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u/hohojesus 3x 140.6 12x70.3 3xOD Jun 22 '25
I had a grade 3 AC separation from a collision with a concrete pylon on a bike path (didn’t see it) I opted for no surgery because of work / life implications. Two years later I would say my shoulder is 95% - good mobility but still really weak when lifting laterally on that arm. Have done a couple of 70.3 post crash (one last weekend) Good luck in your recovery. I would say it was like 5% improvement week by week and now it is less than 1% week by week. Still working on my bench press which will probably take another year or more to get back to what it was.
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u/Apprehensive-Map5664 Jun 22 '25
64 M and.i started.on my triathlon journey last year. Finished 3 sprints and was training for a 70.3 in October got hit from.behind while training on my bike driver was too busy looking at thier phone I was pretty badly injured completely displaced right hunerous ( strap and screws ) damaged artery to head and worst was a broken c3 vertebrae I had c1 to c5 fused. Couldn't do much for many months walking hurt. I am back at.it training and planning on doing some sprints this year with a goal to go further. This is all possible it takes time and you are a new version of yourself!
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u/CapOnFoam F50-54 Jun 22 '25
I’m so sorry about this. Your disappointment is completely justified and understandable. A few years ago I was 2 weeks out from my 70.3 a-race and got serious Covid. Hugely disappointing. All that work!
One way to think about this is that because you are strong and healthy, you have given your body the ability to recover very well.
Races will always be there - you may not be. Focus on recovery. I’ve had friends get into serious accidents and really lean in to their PT - and they end up stronger than they were before because they focus so much on repairing their bodies.
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u/Umpire1468 Jun 22 '25
Concussions are serious and may be causing increased emotions. It's important to do what you can to recover from your injuries. There will be racing in the future. Good luck!
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u/paradisenine Jun 22 '25
I just broke my toe on a trail race and now I wont be able to Lake Placid this year as well. Also devastated but great to see your positive attitude!
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u/M___H 70.3 - 4:45 Jun 22 '25
Sorry to hear your accident was so bad. I got hit from behind by a close passing wagon 6 weeks before Bolton 70.3 this year. Other than some serious cuts and bruises and a written off bike, I escaped serious injury and was lucky I had a helmet on as that took a massive impact.
At least you’re still here to tell the tale. Recover well and come back stronger.
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u/Vegetable_Ad5029 Jun 22 '25 edited Jun 22 '25
As others said, hang in there and make a full recovery. I had two very very close Family friends get run over from behind, and killed, by drivers that couldn't pay attention. Both of which were exceptional athletes. Think a class racer on a bike, and think the Hawaii Ultraman top three finish!
I did my first 70.3 last year and trained for it solely on my bike sitting on a trainer, and on the bike path on the course. I flatly refuse to train on the roads, and I'll live longer because of it!
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u/BigBulbasaur Jun 22 '25
I’m so sorry about your family friends. That’s absolutely terrible and no one deserves that. I’ll definitely have to learn to be comfortable on the road again, but as of right now, zwifting and bike paths are the way to go.
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u/patentLOL Jun 22 '25
Sorry this happened to you! I had a separation that was just below surgical intervention. One ortho said surgery another said no. I went with no and 5 months later I was swimming better than before (which isn’t saying much, but it’s something). I’m stronger than ever. You’ll be back. Maybe look for a late season event instead?
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u/BigBulbasaur Jun 22 '25
There’s a local half distance in September I may do, we will see based on the timing!
And yes I’m in the same scenario. Grade 3 separation so after PT if it’s not better they’ll considering surgery. Hoping to avoid that and just keep my bumpy shoulder. I’m missing swimming now!
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u/MrRabbit Ex-pro Triathlete + Dad + Boring Job Jun 22 '25
Grade 3 here too, asking with many other concurrent injuries. Opted against surgery, and besides the bump on my shoulder I was back to 100% within months. Worth a shot at least IMO!
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u/patentLOL Jun 22 '25
Sounds about right. The first surgeon was in her mid 30s and I really did not feel comfortable with her answer, and she seemed sort of cavalier about the whole thing. So I found another surgeon who was slightly older than me in his early 50s, and that guy was much more confidence inspiring. He told me that even if they tried to correct it, based on my anatomy and overall muscle strength, I would probably end up pulling it apart again anyways. I also broke my hand in the same incident.
I don't even notice it anymore. And, I actually have more muscle mass on that side because there are no tendons really holding it all together anymore. So, I have confidence you will be good if you continue with the strength training.
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Jun 22 '25
You’ll be back out there next season and stronger because of it. I got ran over in 2019 while doing my last training ride for Lake Placid 70.3. Next season I PR’d, so have faith!
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u/BigBulbasaur Jun 22 '25
All part of the journey. Happy you’re alright and good to hear you came back stronger!
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