Hit by a Car While Running
Today I went out for the usual lunch time run around my company in Sunnyvale. It was another great day and I met a couple of runners. I remember complaining how dangerous to pass the I-237 underpass.
On my way back, I carefully went though the I-237 underpass at Maude St. Within 30 seconds (about 50 yd), I was hit by a (Civic-like) car rushing out from a company parking lot. My right leg was hit by the front bumper. I was flying up for two feet high and landed near at the rear bumper. I had my hands and legs on ground. I rose up and, miraculously, I was not injured at all, not even a scratch. I had to find out why the senior lady behind the wheel did not stop at the intersection and pay attention to the pedestrians, but she was too stunned to say anything. Two other ladies passing by nicely asked if I was injured. I checked and felt fine. I immediately sprinted away (as a way to examine my precious legs)
I recall I was lucky. When it happened, I must be up in the air at my stride so that I was like a free object and took only minimal impact from the car after gaining momentum (Physics). Also after running an hour with sweat, my body was more agile than usual and had better landing. (been trained on technical trails ;-))
Anyway, running is great and has helped me in this accident, but be careful if you have to run on streets. Have a safe and enjoyable running!
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16 comments:
Thank God!!
Good grief! So glad you're not hurt. Maybe you should treat these dangerous intersections as speed work--to get through them faster!
Pete
Having known you for so many years, all I can say is that I'm overjoyed that I will continue to have you in my life for years to come. Your attitude is nothing short of amazing.
Thanks Peter. I did run faster when I left the scene probably because my body took a few min off. At the night, I found a dime-size bruise at my wrist.
Chihping
Thanks Rajeev. I think we have the same attitude and have inspired each other ;-)
Looking forward to your poem, pics, and report on Cool 50K - your first race this year!
Chihping
Chihping,
Were you hit by someone coming out of the Synopsys parking lot? If so, it may be someone that I know. I will locate her and rough her up a bit ;)
That entire area is tricky, because people are not accustomed to pedestrians. There was a song called "Nobody walks in LA" several years ago, and the same can be said of Silicon Valley. My rule is, if I do not make eye contact with the driver, I wait for the car to pass or run around the back of it.
-Paul
Amazing!!
I always imagine/fear getting clipped by a car in the knee - particularly on that stretch of Maude between 237 and Mary. I must admit, though, I don't usually imagine getting through it with barely a bruise. Chihping, you have certainly been blessed!
As for that driver - I'll assist Paul in "roughing them up" a bit on your behalf! ;-)
Ron
I'm relieved to hear you haven't been injured. It reminded me that when we are at Oracle, it was difficult to across 101 exit on the way to 42nd hill training. Take care.
Thanks Paul and Ron. The car was actually from BNC. But, as we know, this can happen anywhere even under the disguise of high-tech companies. There are reckless drivers around that demands our highly attention possibly more than eye contacts.
Chihping
Thanks Yuki. Hope you get well soon from the knee injury at Cool 50K.
Chihping
Chihping, dude, I'm so glad you weren't hurt seriously. Just a reminder, everyone, any of us can get hurt, majorly maimed, or killed on the roads, for instance http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/03/12/BAGKAOJTR24.DTL (hope that link works)
Thanks Mark for the link. The plain HTML does not work. The sad story is Jogger's family asks driver to surrender.
Better get back to the trails ;-(
Chihping
What Mark said is truly a warning - I'm more concerned about running on streets.
When I walk with Nathan to his school, we usually imagine those cars carrying Mom and kids as monsters speeding at the "canyon" (street is lower than sidewalk). I describe they are powered by dinosaurs, which Nathan is crazy about, since they use fossil fuel. Nathan likes the idea that dinosaus are alive in modern times! These vehicles are abound and tamed to behave, but can become dangerous and brutal than any carnivore rarely found at trails.
Better get back to trails ;-(
Chihping
I found the company is called Abacus Electronics, where the car was from. It sits between BMC and Synopsis.
very sorry to hear this. I am glad to see all is fine your end.
Thanks Anil. I was lucky and happened to be in good shape after running for years!
Hope you run happy and strong!
Chihping
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