Sunday, February 13, 2011

A Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Week

As you can tell by the title of this post, my week was less than stellar.  Although, I have to say that I thank God that everything has worked out for the best.  Things could have been worse, and for that I'm grateful.

The week started out great.  The job has been going really well, and so far this is the easiest tax season I have ever had.  Now, mind you, it's only the second week of February, and I'm sure I have just jinxed myself by saying that.  But usually by this time of the year, I am beginning to loose my hair AND my mind.  So far, things are going smoothly, a lot less stressful than ever before and for that, in this moment, I'm grateful.

My horrible, terrible, no good, very bad week though, came on with a vengeance Wednesday morning.  I have an hour commute to work.  I travel down a main highway that has bumper to bumper traffic all morning.  It has a reputation for being a dangerous freeway, mainly because people just drive way too fast and have little to no patience for their fellow mankind.  I always take my time though, going to work.  I leave early enough that if I were to hit a major traffic hiccup, I'm still on time.  And if I'm not on time, it's never the end of the world.  Wednesday I was just driving along, had my hands at 10 & 2, paying attention to traffic, when OUT OF NO WHERE a woman in a giant Toyota Sequoia SUV decided to get in front of me and hit her breaks.  I was doing about 30 miles an hour, had a car length between me and the person in front of me, and she just squeezed in for no reason.  I couldn't stop in time though, and I rear ended her.  It was awful.  My car was totaled right away.  I drive (drove) a Mercedes CLK 350 convertible, a smaller two -door sports car, and her bumper just ate me up.  Thankfully though, my car saved my life.  It did everything it was supposed to do, everything it was designed to do.  It helped me break faster, it crumpled in all the right spots, it rolled down the windows, it turned on the hazards, shut the power off the car and even dialed the police for me as I sat in a haze with my airbag deployed and trying to figure out what had just happened.  When I looked up a split second later, the freeway, that is usually jammed packed, was empty.  Even the SUV that hit me was gone.  About 2 minutes later, I see the SUV driving backwards for over a mile on the right hand shoulder.  She had driven off, probably didn't even know I hit her GIANT car and saw finally in her rear view mirror my crumpled, smoking car.  I was lucky.  My face never touched the air bag, the seat belt pulled me into my seat, I even heard it lock me down in the collision.  After I realized more exactly what happened, the tears just came.  My arms were burned from the air bag.  They were bruised, and so was my collar bone and neck from the seat belt - but I was alive!  I had survived a major crash, and my car did everything for me that I wasn't able to do.

It seemed to take forever for the ambulance, fire truck and police to show up.  I'm sure it was only a matter of minutes, though.  I was so grateful that my car had the S.O.S. system in it, like OnStar, only for Mercedes, because I was so shaken and hurt I could barely call my husband five minutes later and tell him what had happened.  Apparently I only said I was in an accident on the freeway and I was hurt.  He jumped in the car right away to meet me, but it took him a long time to get there because of all the traffic back up I had caused.  Shock set in and I started feeling pretty good.  But the fire chief on the scene told me he really wanted me to get on the back board and take me to the hospital.  Within minutes, I was laying on the side of the freeway, looking up at the blue sky, being braced down to a back board and loaded into an ambulance.  It all felt so surreal.  One second I was being a cautious driver, the next I had a totaled car and was in an ambulance.  Just as they were pulling away with me in the ambulance, my husband showed up and took care of everything I couldn't.  Thankfully, THANKFULLY I had the best group of emergency people show up and help me.  The fire chief even went though my purse and car and got all my id's and cards out for me, all while cracking jokes and attempting to make me smile.  I think at one point he told me my car was fine, that it would just need a little touch up paint! LOL!  By the time I arrived at the hospital, I was in some pain, but I was alive and had nothing broken.

The ER doctor said I really dodged a bullet and that it was thanks to my car and my safe driving that I walked away ok.  I had a few x-ray's done, but thankfully nothing had broken - only my confidence.  This all happened at 7:20 a.m. and by 9:30 I was home licking my wounds and asking, "what the hell just happened?"  I did nothing wrong on Wednesday.  I was driving safe.  No cell phone, no radio on, I hadn't even eaten my breakfast or drank my coffee yet - I was just driving.  She just pulled in front of me and slammed on her breaks for no reason - the only damage done to her car was a bent tow hitch.  My poor, pretty, SAFE car is gone, and I know it's only a car, IT SAVED MY LIFE, but I'm sad about it.  Now I have the wonderful task of having to buy another one - something I'm not looking forward to.  In an instant everything changed, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Later that afternoon, after I napped, iced and took some Advil, I went for a run.  YES, I know, probably not something anyone would recommend.  But it was the most glorious run ever.  I was alive, I was un-hurt for the most part, minus a few bruises and burns.  My legs worked still, the streak continued and I got to just let my mind rest while I ran.  Those are the types of runs I live for, the therapeutic ones where you think about nothing but one foot in front of the other.  I was angry, I was sad and I was so thankful that I had walked away alive.  I'm still dealing with some nerves while driving.  I'm a good driver, a confident, safe driver, but right now I'm more than nervous while I'm on the road, especially on the freeway.  I know that it will get better, that time will heal this, but in the mean time I'm more than cautious.

Thursday and Friday I worked half days, sitting at the computer more than 4 or 5 hours really hurt my neck.  So I took full advantage of the beautiful weather and the extra time to just run.  Funny enough, my neck and collar bone did not hurt while I ran.  Maybe it was just all the endorphins and happy thoughts that I was still able to run that masked anything, but today I feel great.  No pain, just my arms are still a bit sensitive to the touch where the burns and bruises are, and my collar bone a little sensitive to the touch, too.  My streak continues.  You know what one of the first thoughts that crossed my mind immediately after the accident was?  You guessed it, MY STREAK!  I would be damned if this careless, wreck-less driver was going to ruin it for me.  In those early moments though, when everything was hazy and I had no idea what was in store for me, a lot of the tears were for my fear that the streak was lost.  I know, it sounds crazy, but I could only think that my running would help me heal through it all...and it did.

I don't know still what is going on with the insurance, thankfully the hubbs is taking care of it.  I never saw my car after the accident.  But it didn't look good from the view I had.  I don't think I could see my pretty, now wrecked car, and not cry.  I still tear up and want to sob when I think of everything that happened and could have happened.  Lots of tears have been shed since Wednesday when I think about it all.  I know it was by no means a life or death thing, but it did reaffirm for me that life is pretty damn short and that we only get one shot at it. 

I finished off the week today with a great 20 miler.  I got up early and met my buddy Punky for a run.  It was cold when we started, but we finished 8 strong miles together, averaging 9:07.  I came home, ate, stretched and went out to finish my day with another strong 12.  If you've been following me on daily mile, you would know my left quad has been less than happy with me.  It gets knotted really easy after my runs, and stretching, ice and my new BFF Tiger Balm are working wonders.  Thankfully today it cooperated, and I finished the week with 76 miles - my biggest running week ever!  And to think, I crashed and totaled my car on Wednesday.  Guess my running really helped me get over it all.  Next week will be a cut back week for me, I'm really looking forward to it.  The streak continues at 38 days!

I know I babbled a bit here - it was actually quite therapeutic to get it all out of my head.  So, as you can see, between mourning the car crash and running a zillion miles, I had little to no time to catch up with all of you.  But it is my priority tomorrow night, as my valentine will be working.  Thank you all for the encouragement this week as I continue on this crazy streak.  I'm loving seeing what my body and my head can accomplish when I have a big goal in mind.
Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's day and you spend it with the people who matter most to you ;)
Happy Running Peeps!

33 comments:

RunningWhit said...

What a rough experience but I'm so glad you are ok. Hang in there!

Jill said...

I saw on FB that you were in an accident and total the beloved vehicle...I am so truly sorry! :( I'm very grateful you weren't hurt worse, especially those beautiful running legs :). Ari's going to get you a nice new Mercedes and you'll be back on the highway looking for Sequoia woman to flip her off (but first, I'd have a little chat with her insurance company!!!).

Excellent job on the running, I'm sure those miles later in the week were just what your mind needed to relieve some tension and stress! Just what the doctor ordered :).

I called you Friday after I saw your FB post, hope you got the message. Call sometimes when you're free!

Thinking of you and soooo glad you are ok, relatively!!
Love ya lots!
xoxo

Heather said...

Yikes how scary! I am so glad you are okay and have been able to use running to clear your head and help you recover from the car accident.

Ron, running the wrong way. said...

I just started following your blog and this is what you go out and do? Kidding aside, so so glad to read that you are OK, and even still, on track with your running! Nicely done with the weekly miles and I'm sure that it was glorious to be able to depend on running to help bring things back into normalcy.

L.B. said...

I'm sorry this happened to you. Sucks that it wasn't any of your fault, like you said, no texting, no distractions, no nothing. And then some jackhole just gets in front of you like that and does your car like that?

You have every right to be bitter and angry but it sounds like you're just putting it aside and channeling that into your streak. Good for you. Don;t let that idiot driver win.

trailturtle said...

Ummm...I think you need to add this to your Post title:
"--Except for My Running" :)
Besides being therapeutic, your running was anything BUT "Horrible, Terrible, etc."

I AM JUST GLAD YOU ARE OK
...Period.
Run well, Ann

Tortuga_Runner said...

OMG-WOW crazy week. Glad you are ok and the car did what it was supposed to do. Hope you have an ok time going through the buying a new car process and your runs continue to be a therapeutic as your post accident run.

Jo Lynn said...

I'm so glad you are okay, first of all. I know how you feel though, about your baby being crashed. My favorite car of all time was totalled due to an accident that wasn't my fault. I was so pissed off. To this day, no car has measured up.

Char said...

What an awful experience. I've had little bingles and been left shaken - I can't even imagine how an accident like that would make you feel. Look after yourself. You may have a bit of post-traumatic shock for a while.

Anonymous said...

That sucks. Be good to yourself and look forward to a better week!

Laura said...

That is awful! Glad you are ok!

d.a.r. said...

Oh my gosh, how scary. I am so very glad you are okay!!!

Jen Feeny said...

OMG girl!!! I am SO glad you are ok!!! Mercedes does a damn good job with their cars and have a high safety rating for that very reason!

Marlene said...

OMG! How horrible and scary. I am SO sorry and sending big, huge hugs your way. Thank goodness you are okay. And I think you are the only one I know who would run the afternoon of being in a car wreck.

Take care of yourself, girlie!!!

Anonymous said...

OMG- obviously, the important part is, you are okay. That's like amazing you walked away from it.

And while that is a super nice car that I am ridiculously jealous of...it is JUST a car. You are not replaceable, but your car is.

I hope you have a better week, Katie!

ajh said...

Glad you are okay! Sounds awful. Accidents are very scary even when we are okay.......all the could have happened! Take care.

LAPT said...

I AM SO GLAD that you're safe and uninjured. I hope that your insurance covers everything.

Denise said...

whoa! so glad you're ok! sounds terrifying. geesh, i hate driving.

Jess said...

Car accidents always feel traumatic and overwhelming, but I'm glad you're okay!

J said...

What an experience! Glad you are ok! I hit a telephone pole at 5MPH and I was shaken up so I can't imagine what you are going through! Hopefully everything will be back to semi normal soon!

RunToTheFinish said...

oh katie i am so sorry. I remember when my wreck happened and the air bags scared the poop out of me more than anything else. Car accidents are just no fun at all, but I am so glad you are not badly injured and were able to get out and run it off!!!

Katie said...

sweet girl, i continue to be so relieved that you are ok. what would i do without my bloggy katie? lots of hugs to you, and puppy kisses. xoxo.

N.D. said...

oh my goodness. We were hit head on in a mercedes in 2007 and it was the scariest thing in my life to date. I'm so glad you are ok, Katie.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Thank goodness you were not hurt! It sounds like luck favored the prepared for sure.

As for the streak, glad it's still going but a major car accident would have been an understandable reason for it to break.

Be safe out there!

MCM Mama said...

How scary! Glad you are ok!

Page said...

OMG Katie! That is so scary and I am glad to hear that you are ok. Please rest up and ensure that everything is how it should be before pushing yourself too far.

Sarah said...

I wrote you an email last week and never heard back and maybe now I know why! Geez, woman!! I'm so glad to hear that you are okay. I know how bad it can be with the traffic and idiot drivers so I'm just happy that your car handled business so you can keep on running. Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

girl car accidents are SO scary! I had my 1st real accident over a year ago and it was a hot and run and I felt ok but as soon as I tried talking I just burst into tears. Glad you're ok and not too badly hurt!

Carlee said...

So scary! So glad you are OK. I don't blame you for running the same day.

Angela and David said...

Goodness! Glad you are okay. And I never would have guess such a little car was so safe.

Teamarcia said...

Oh honey how traumatic! I'm so sorry but very grateful you're ok. Life can definitely turn on a dime.

Big hugs! And forgive me for taking freaking eons to make it over here to read this!

Sarah Woulfin said...

SO sorry to hear about your accident and glad you're a-okay!! Take care of yourself--accidents are really, really scary.

Ethan Rehman said...

Oh, good thing your car saved you! Gosh, those reckless people really don't think of others. These times make you think that you just can't trust the other people on the road. You should always drive safely. Anyways, I pity your car. A Mercedes CLK 350 convertible don't deserve that!