Reflection on Life After a Close Call: A Personal Journey
Recently, I experienced a life-changing event that I felt compelled to share with all of you. As a runner, I often engage in early morning runs to foster my physical and mental health. However, yesterday morning took a drastic turn when I was struck by an SUV during my routine exercise.
I woke up early, bright and early at 4:30 a.m., eager to start my training session for the day. The air was brisk, and I was mentally prepared for my tempo workout that included several miles at a challenging pace. Typically, I leave my house at this time, but I often joke with my friends and family about the dangers of the main road I must traverse to get to safer running routes. I've been waiting with eager anticipation to move into our new home, which would provide me with a much safer environment for my runs.
As I set out, I turned on my Garmin watch which features a flashlight that illuminates my path. As I ran, I was situated on the correct side of the road, moving with traffic as is generally advised. However, there was a specific spot where I crossed to the other side to enjoy a wider shoulder that felt safer despite knowing the risks of running along that stretch.
About half a mile into my run, I found myself navigating this dangerous mile-long stretch, when suddenly my senses shifted dramatically. Before I knew it, I heard screeching tires, felt an impact, and my world went dark. The weight of the situation hit me just as hard as the vehicle itself.
I came to on the left side of the road after being struck, unsure of how I had been propelled. Amazingly, I experienced no immediate pain, perhaps due to adrenaline and shock, but as the gravity of the impact settled in, I began to assess my condition. The driver who hit me approached slowly, stunned by the potential severity of the accident. What followed was an odd conversation tinged with disbelief as we both acknowledged the shocking reality of the situation.
Feeling surprisingly unscathed despite how badly his vehicle was damaged, I tried to walk away, believing a run was still on the table, albeit somewhat foolishly. It wasn’t until I paused, only to feel the pain creeping in, that I realized I couldn’t continue. The other driver, who witnessed the accident, offered to take me back home, and as I arrived, everything began to unravel.
Realization and Recovery
Upon entering my house, I noticed blood. As the shock wore off, I understood just how severe the situation was: my left elbow was a mess, my left leg was marked with tire tracks, and I had bruises starting to appear all over my body. At that moment, the reality of the accident hit home; I was far from fine.
After ensuring my wife didn't panic upon seeing me, we rushed to the hospital, where doctors performed various tests. Thankfully, aside from some significant scrapes and bruises, nothing major was structurally damaged within my body. I realized that even though I was physically roughed up, I was alive, and that was something worth noting.
Reflection on Life’s Priorities
As I absorbed my close call with death, a wave of introspection washed over me. This incident felt like a spiritual wake-up call, nudging me to slow down and breathe. There’s often a tendency to hurry through life, always looking for the next goal or ambition. This relentless pursuit can cloud our appreciation for the present, and I realized I had lost sight of what truly matters.
With two beautiful children and a loving wife, I recognized how essential it was to cherish every moment with them. I began to reflect on the balance between ambition and contentment. I learned that being ambitious does not contradict being grateful for what you currently possess; rather, it enhances your pursuit of growth and improvement.
Moving Forward
This experience has highlighted the importance of wearing visibility gear while running and choosing safe environments for exercise. As runners and individuals, we must prioritize our safety above convenience.
I am coming away from this incident with a renewed understanding of life and a commitment to live more intentionally. I can acknowledge my ambition while still taking time to be thankful for my current blessings; to appreciate the wonderful experiences and relationships that envelop my life every day. It is a fine line to walk, but one that I believe will enrich both my personal life and my interactions with others.
I am grateful for the support of friends, family, and even those strangers who helped me in my time of need. While I am banged up, I feel blessed to emerge from this without severe injury. I hope my story serves as a reminder to all of you to slow down, reflect on what truly matters, and cherish your loved ones. Life is fragile; let us treat it with the care and respect it deserves.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and here’s to approaching each day with gratitude and still striving for growth. Until next time, stay safe out there.
Part 1/9:
Reflection on Life After a Close Call: A Personal Journey
Recently, I experienced a life-changing event that I felt compelled to share with all of you. As a runner, I often engage in early morning runs to foster my physical and mental health. However, yesterday morning took a drastic turn when I was struck by an SUV during my routine exercise.
The Morning of the Accident
Part 2/9:
I woke up early, bright and early at 4:30 a.m., eager to start my training session for the day. The air was brisk, and I was mentally prepared for my tempo workout that included several miles at a challenging pace. Typically, I leave my house at this time, but I often joke with my friends and family about the dangers of the main road I must traverse to get to safer running routes. I've been waiting with eager anticipation to move into our new home, which would provide me with a much safer environment for my runs.
Part 3/9:
As I set out, I turned on my Garmin watch which features a flashlight that illuminates my path. As I ran, I was situated on the correct side of the road, moving with traffic as is generally advised. However, there was a specific spot where I crossed to the other side to enjoy a wider shoulder that felt safer despite knowing the risks of running along that stretch.
About half a mile into my run, I found myself navigating this dangerous mile-long stretch, when suddenly my senses shifted dramatically. Before I knew it, I heard screeching tires, felt an impact, and my world went dark. The weight of the situation hit me just as hard as the vehicle itself.
The Impact and Immediate Aftermath
Part 4/9:
I came to on the left side of the road after being struck, unsure of how I had been propelled. Amazingly, I experienced no immediate pain, perhaps due to adrenaline and shock, but as the gravity of the impact settled in, I began to assess my condition. The driver who hit me approached slowly, stunned by the potential severity of the accident. What followed was an odd conversation tinged with disbelief as we both acknowledged the shocking reality of the situation.
Part 5/9:
Feeling surprisingly unscathed despite how badly his vehicle was damaged, I tried to walk away, believing a run was still on the table, albeit somewhat foolishly. It wasn’t until I paused, only to feel the pain creeping in, that I realized I couldn’t continue. The other driver, who witnessed the accident, offered to take me back home, and as I arrived, everything began to unravel.
Realization and Recovery
Upon entering my house, I noticed blood. As the shock wore off, I understood just how severe the situation was: my left elbow was a mess, my left leg was marked with tire tracks, and I had bruises starting to appear all over my body. At that moment, the reality of the accident hit home; I was far from fine.
Part 6/9:
After ensuring my wife didn't panic upon seeing me, we rushed to the hospital, where doctors performed various tests. Thankfully, aside from some significant scrapes and bruises, nothing major was structurally damaged within my body. I realized that even though I was physically roughed up, I was alive, and that was something worth noting.
Reflection on Life’s Priorities
As I absorbed my close call with death, a wave of introspection washed over me. This incident felt like a spiritual wake-up call, nudging me to slow down and breathe. There’s often a tendency to hurry through life, always looking for the next goal or ambition. This relentless pursuit can cloud our appreciation for the present, and I realized I had lost sight of what truly matters.
Part 7/9:
With two beautiful children and a loving wife, I recognized how essential it was to cherish every moment with them. I began to reflect on the balance between ambition and contentment. I learned that being ambitious does not contradict being grateful for what you currently possess; rather, it enhances your pursuit of growth and improvement.
Moving Forward
This experience has highlighted the importance of wearing visibility gear while running and choosing safe environments for exercise. As runners and individuals, we must prioritize our safety above convenience.
Part 8/9:
I am coming away from this incident with a renewed understanding of life and a commitment to live more intentionally. I can acknowledge my ambition while still taking time to be thankful for my current blessings; to appreciate the wonderful experiences and relationships that envelop my life every day. It is a fine line to walk, but one that I believe will enrich both my personal life and my interactions with others.
Part 9/9:
I am grateful for the support of friends, family, and even those strangers who helped me in my time of need. While I am banged up, I feel blessed to emerge from this without severe injury. I hope my story serves as a reminder to all of you to slow down, reflect on what truly matters, and cherish your loved ones. Life is fragile; let us treat it with the care and respect it deserves.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and here’s to approaching each day with gratitude and still striving for growth. Until next time, stay safe out there.