Hello from the east coast

[slwrunner]

Hello Sarah and Wendell,
It looks like I will be back on the West Coast soon and I can not wait. I planned on running the Sycamore Canyon 50K but not sure if that will happen. I was hit by a car while crossing at a crosswalk on March 6th. :-(

Recovery is slow but I am determined to get better so I can run when I get there.

A big hello to leinfellner (Norbert) and Mountain man Steve....Hope to see you guys again....

Tony

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Oh, my GOSH, Antonio!! What happened?!?! Now that it's starting to feel as if summer is approaching, I was wondering how you were doing - but I never imagined THAT!!

Please do update us when you can - and stop by a run if you're in the area, even if you're not up to being out on the trails quite yet.

Thinking of you and sending good wishes for a speedy recovery.

Sarah

[slwrunner]

This was the email my wife sent out to my running group here in Georgia. It explains the accident.


I just want to fill you in on what happened and what's going on now:
For those who haven't heard (if such people exist?), on Thursday at 5:30 pm as Tony was headed toward his car after a run at Kennesaw Mtn., he was hit by a car while crossing in the crosswalk on Stilesboro Rd. in front of the Visitor's Center. From what we can piece together from witnesses, it appears that Tony was thrown onto the car's windshield, then roof, then to the grass on the side of the road. The windshield was smashed and where the roof met the windshield, Tony's body managed to create a v-shaped depression about 4-inches deep.
The second the car hit him, many good samaritans came to his aid. The park ranger, Officer Lloyd Morris, called for help while a group of Marines, one of whom was an EMT, rushed to give first aid. One of the Marines, Jason, was able to get Tony's keys and belongings from his car and call my mom (Tony had the presence of mind to remember that calling me would be pointless as I was working and likely did not have a signal). Tony was brought via ambulance to Kennestone's ER, and though finding a room in the ER proved to be a tricky feat, he eventully found privacy and rest next door to a screaming overdose victim, then a couple who were forcibly removed from the hospital after verbally attacking the nursing staff (it was a very lively evening to say the least).
Anyway, only 5 hours after being struck by a car, estimated to be traveling about 30 - 35 mph, Tony was discharged from the hospital with no broken bones or internal injuries. The woman working the discharge desk was shocked to see Tony leaving because she had driven past the scene of the accident on her way into work. The hospital tab was not even close to being finalized when we left, but we were imformed with a smile that it was "only" $5000. I guess she could smile because she knew we wouldn't be paying :-)
The process of cleaning dirt, grass, and glass shards out of raw skin was unpleasant, and neither of us slept very well, but we're VERY happy that Tony appears to be healthy. He's extremely sore and extremely medicated, but he wanted me to pass on this update to all his GUTS friends. Ever the determined runner, he has already vowed that this will not keep him from running Oak Mtn. on the 22nd (I am not yet convinced, though)! I did not make this run!! :-( We're very grateful for the concern expressed by everyone at GUTS. We'll keep you posted -- rest assured that there will be a tongue-in-cheek race report about this in the next newsletter, complete with pictures and grossly exaggerated details of heroism and invincibility (Tony will be writing it, if you can't tell)

Be careful out there!
Allison Gonzalez

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

WOW, TONY!! Incredible!! What an AMAZING relief that you came through it as well as you did!! How have you been feeling since?? Who hit you - and what happened to/with them?

Holy smokes - really, what a scary tale you have to tell! Thanks for posting Allison's recap - and thank goodness you're ok!!

Sarah