February Living

Well, February has come and gone, and can be forgotten.  On February 17th I was traveling to Colorado from Chicago to get in some training in with my coach and to ski with some buddies, when I was 30 miles from Denver and fell asleep at the wheel. By far, the biggest scare of my life.

I had left Chicago at 1:30 am in route to Colorado. I was in somewhat of a time crunch, as I was trying to get in a training session with my coach, and to make a work pick up in Colorado Springs, which is why I had left so early. I made it to Colorado around Noon and was a bit drained as I had stop about 5 times to rest and nap, but this obviously was not enough. I made one final stop to fill up on gas and about 30 minutes later I found myself facing traffic with all airbags blown in the vehicle. I had been traveling west bound on I-76 at 85 mph when I fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into the highway median. I remember minutes before striking the median, that I was dreaming I was going off the road into an obstruction. I woke instantly and was heading straight for an iron and cable median. The car spun 2 or 3 times before coming to a stop on the opposite side of the street. I was facing traffic as cars came to a halt and witnesses got out. Crawling out of the car, I noticed the entire front drivers' side was destroyed and missing only showing the axel of the car. On my feet in shock, a woman approached me, seeing the whole accident, and was astonished I only had minor burns on me. (Burns from the airbags rapid force). I had never been in car accident where airbags deployed, but was never hit in the face, and or neck by them.  Thank god! Police and fire rescue were on the scene in minutes inspecting the car reck and my vitals. After giving me the okay that I was fine, I was off in a squad car to be taken to the towns nearest service station. Calling my coach, family, and friends letting them know what happened, they were all in shock that I was ok. The training and skiing that weekend would be put on hold as I would travel right back home to Chicago that night.

So to say the least, February had been an up and down battle of mixed emotions. Looking back on the entire situation, there are a million things that I could have done to prevent this accident, but even more important is that I wasn't hurt and I didn't hurt anyone else. I could have killed, not only myself, but many others. I have been really fortunate, and there is some other power at be keeping me here on earth for a reason.

To my readers and followers: what I want you to take from this is, do not let life pass you by. Live every second to its fullest, because anything could happen. Do not have regret and push yourself to achieve everything possible.  I know this upcoming season I certainly will. Ride On!