Sept 20th highlights...and low lights

Alarm told me I had finally dozed off but only for a couple of hours!!

Delighted that my laptop was working and I could charge cell, kobo, Garmin, etc. Bent ground worked - had I only thought of that two days prior.

Over breakfast - the Bird texted her arrival in Paris.

2c this morning - really cold in unisuit, arm warmers, jacket. Forgot mittens at my hotel but didn't want to risk missing the bike departure. No prob. No one was ready so I returned for another top layer and 2 pairs of gloves (one of which I gave to Kasia).


Bike ride was well attended and lovely. Cold to begin but we warmed up both with the sun and decent pace. Biked along canal then into the countryside - a couple of good hills and we were sweating. Met Karen Beazley (NS) on the ride so only  Zack to track down.

Oh - forgot that yesterday Bird and I were texting as she began her journey. As we started the bike ride she announced her arrival at the train station and that she'd get an earlier train than planned - yay! Didn't tell her that I wanted to meet her at the station in Nancy, wanted it to be a surprise!

Back from 20k bike ride, we all changed into running shoes, caps and ran at a nice leisurely pace to Place Stanislas where Joyce Chiang (Triathlon Canada rep) pointed out where we would be entering and exiting transition and then we did 1 lap of the run course = 2.5k.  The race begins with 4 laps - 10k - then 40k bike (5 laps x 7.5k of a twisty turny course through the city that we'll be doing most of at 6:50am to beat the traffic (hopefully) - the race finishs with a 5k  run (2 laps).

After our run we registered, finally saw my 5 yr Age Group 21 women mostly from the rival GBR & USA. I am the lone Canadian.

Got our race kit which is quite underwhelming given the event. I've gotten better stuff at local races. Women were a bit pissed that the men had a choice of 4 different coloured souvenir t-shirts and 2 options of a velcro bib and the women had black and a few navy blue depending on your size. The large is sized for a small woman. Oh well lots of other fabulous intangible souvenirs that are lifelong memories :~)

Back to the Ibis - jotted down directions to bike shop had my wheel with me but also a bag so I stopped at my hotel, dropped off stuff so I only had my wheel. No prob. Got confirmation on the directions and would make it before the mechanic closed for a few hours. I figured I'd leave it with him and rendez-vous with Bird and return to the shop later...

Then everything changed... at 12:10pm

I will begin by saying I am ok. I had just left my hotel biking slowly down a highly residential street with not much traffic. There is a large grocery store and underground parking. I sensed a car behind me so I moved over as far as possible to the right. Next thing I know my rear wheel is sliding to the right - the car hit my wheel! Down I went on the same side as the crash at the Nationals in Kelowna last year (which was a male racer who took me down and sped off) - this time a car! People came running from all over to help me, all very concerned. One very elderly gentleman ran behind the car that had slowed banging on the back window for him to stop, the driver sped up, made a right turn at the corner about 25m away and was gone. A woman had a pen and pad and I recall thinking "is she going to take my name or something" no she asked all the others gathered if they caught the license # and no one had. Although it felt like slow motion, it happened quickly.

My injuries... first thing I noticed was pebbles in my mouth that were not pebbles but pieces of a tooth.  Yep chipped bottom front tooth (overbite conceals it when I smile - thank goodness for that as I have lots of photos to be taken - kidding!) Fat lip - bloody and bruised upper gums all on the left side. Road rash on my left knee - not nearly as bad as Kelowna (silver lining?) ... what else, bruising along the side of my leg and as the evening progressed my shoulder blade is sore.

 

My bike injuries... I got lucky Evangeline Equinox Louise Case is one tough bike god-love-er! My feet were still clipped into the pedals and it was awkward getting out. Aerobars were pointing to the road, some other stuff like brakes were askew but I was able to gather myself and Evangeline and ride back to my hotel where my new buddies - Team South Africa were horrified having just seen me leave and we had chatted about our respective training day. I got to my room and stood there in shock. Decided to forget about the bike shop, be grateful I walked away from a potentially race-ending accident let alone .... (fill in the gap). Decided to get into a shower and scrub the road rash asap even though I knew it would hurt - I learned that from last year. Before getting into the shower the lovely man at the front desk was at my door with a first aid kit. I had brought everything I needed but did take a few items.

Showered, bandaged myself, washed out my mouth as best as I could. The biggest pain being my mouth throbbing. Took Advil and Tylenol. Put on the one skirt I brought so nothing would rub against my legs. Tried to make myself look presentable mostly to lift my own spirits. Had to choke back the urge to breakdown. Focused on making it to the train station to meet Diana (left on foot at 1pm - train was to arrive at 1:45pm... I walked as quickly as I could, sweat pouring off me, the day got quite hot).

I made it as Diana was getting into a taxi - I ran to her side and said "don't you leave without me!" She was stunned.

Diana hadn't checked her text and for the first time in her journey hadn't sent me one so she had no idea about my accident. I was never so glad to see someone and of all the people she knows how to handle me in this kind of situation. Knows I will be a brave girl and as an English born gal "keep a stiff upper lip" or as it is now called "suck it up!".

Got to Bird's hotel but it was closed for another hour (2pm by then). Got someone's attention who put her suitcase in storage so we were free to find somewhere to get a drink!!! She was exhausted and I was in shock but we were so happy. I love watching Diana discover a new place. She is the same sister, the same girl with wide eyed amazement and excitement. I get as much pleasure watching her as I do enjoying it firsthand.

A couple of times she suggested a place we were passing but I knew where I wanted to take her. Her first introduction had to be Place Stanislas with outdoor bars on all the sides but one I think. She was beaming!

Bird has a way to bring out the silly in me like no one can! I was counting on her raising my spirits and encouraging laughter in the face of adversity ...

"Stick out your jaw so I can take a picture of your chipped tooth" naturally I oblige, no matter the bewildered onlookers. This is a Birdface if I ever saw one!

We reminised about when she chipped her tooth trying to do a backstratch ski jump move down our basement stairs... and then tried to convince our Mummy she did it biting into something hard. Yeah, right - never worked with a mother who was a civilian member of the RCMP Security Service at HDHQ Ottawa.

We sat, she noticed a Canadian jacket and I introduced her to Brian and Shirley (Sheila - I am so bad with recalling names). Diana and  Brian entered the military (Cornwallis) about the same time so the began fast friends, knew people in common.

Hung there - chatted, drank Pinot Gris and something similar to Pernod... all for medicinal purposes and I'm not kidding.

After a brief stop back at Diana's hotel to checkin and for her to shower and change we went to Team Canada's meet and greet.

Diana laid eyes on Linda Lemon who I had biked with that morning and who is an triatlon demi-goddess in Ontario and Canada! Diana and she exchanged a very special moment about a month ago at the Toronto Island Tri. Linda told Diana tonight that she has repeated the story and Diana's words of praise as they were the most generous and flattering she had ever received (considering Bird had not let Linda cross the finish line before her but then proceed to vomit up all the water ... Linda with her hand on Bird's back and Bird tell her how much she felt honoured and privileged to race alongside her) Needless to say the reception was special. Karen Beazley and Diana are the same Age Group so they too connected. I proudly introduced my Birdie.

News of my accident had spread. People showed concern and amazement that I was still planning on riding the bike course at 6:50am and that I refused to let it spoil the event for me. I managed to have a consult with Dr. Jeff who led the bike ride this morning re: my injuries. My concern was in pain relief dosage. He reminded me of the adverse affects of one of my asthma medications and anti-inflammatories (advil) but wants me to take it and extra strength every 6 hours though to take extra strength Tylenol more often to get on top of the pain and then manage it. I got the leftover ice from the reception for my mouth, such relief.

Back to my place and on the way Birdie saw the accident site.

Made us supper. Does Birdie look fantastic? Not bad for no sleep in over 24 hrs

Then it was time for her to head back to her hotel so I walked her part way (can't get cabs for some reason).

Got stuff ready for the morning. TLC for Evangeline - changed rear wheel to Mavic. Won't bother getting the Zipp fixed. Calling for rain. Lots of turns and slippery cobblestone! Glad I brought the Mavic's at least they have treads where the Zipps have none. Most people who have Zipps (alot = possibly the majority) don't have the luxury of a different wheel. Could be hazardous. After my accident today, I will play it safe - so glad I brought them!! I know I keep saying it but I feel so much more secure on wet pavement let alone stone.

Ok I think best leave it there. Time for bed - very early start. Busy and eventful day! (Have a feeling the tears will flow Sunday post-race...) What an experience already.