Rollerski Accident: Miracle on Pavement
I am many things. I'm a college student, I'm a son to my parents, I'm an American but probably first and foremost in my mind I am a Nordic skier. I'll never amount to much on the ski course; I will never make an Olympic team or even challenge other college skiers for podium spots. I will, however, enjoy Nordic skiing for the rest of my life.I love every part of my sport. I love getting outside everyday and freeing my mind. I love pushing my body to its limits and then knowing when to lay off. I love knowing that I can go out for a two hour run and come back home tired but not exhausted. I love living a healthy life. Although it is sometimes hard to go out training, I love the results that follow consistent, dedicated exercise. I love the humidity in summer, the crisp colorful days in fall, the cold clean air of winter. I love going fast on skis and I love the complete satisfaction of racing past your limits.
Why am I suddenly realizing what my sport means to me?
Four days ago I was going down a hill on rollerskis. Nothing I haven't done a hundred times before. I was obeying traffic laws when a lady pulled out in front of me. I realized that I was going to broadside her and so I cut a hard right onto a side street. I was going to make it until my rollerskis slipped on some gravel. I slid under the moving car between the front and back wheel and the back right wheel rolled over both my thighs right below the gluteus.
I suffered no broken bones or serious injury. The worst thing that happened to me was some pretty serious road rash and bruising. The car could have ran over any part of my body but it ran over the part that could best handle it. Thankfully, my helmet prevented any head injuries. Most people don't go through an accident like that without some very serious trauma injuries. I am very lucky.
You can be doing everything right; following traffic laws, wearing your helmet and safety vest, but you can't control the environment around you. As athletes, these types of experiences make one realize how fortunate you are for every day you can exercise. I now appreciate to a higher degree the importance of my own helmet, my alertness, and my awareness of vehicles around me. Stay cautious, stay alert, and stay safe. Appreciate every day.
 | Note: Scott Kyser is a skier at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. Scott's training restarted with a weary one hour roller-ski five days after the accident with emphasis on downhill safety. A fellow skier commented that the experience was “part bummer but part awesome” for being run over without breaking any bones.
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