I don't remember much; the light turned green and we took off. I have a vague recollection of a "crunch." I was told in the emergency room that I had been struck broad-side by a car sending me cart wheeling over 20 feet. The first thing I did was move my fingers and toes, and thank God I was not paralyzed. I thought the grit in my mouth was dirt but it was actually bits of my teeth. The doctor removed a dressing from my leg and I stared into a gaping wound that used to be a perfectly good knee. I thought it was rude that the emergency personnel would not answer my questions, but found out later it was because I had been repeating myself over and over due to my head injury.

Being struck by a car is a cyclist's greatest fear. There are many things we can do to mitigate the danger of cycling on the open road but we can not protect ourselves from unsafe or inattentive drivers. The motorist that struck me did not see the red light, the two cyclists dressed in bright clothing in front of me, or the other car that was stopped at the red light. There were no skid marks; it was as if the driver was not even looking out the windshield. News of these types of accidents spread like wildfire among the cycling community and remind us of our mortality while on the bike. It causes us wonder if all those people that call us "crazy" are perhaps right.

It seems that if you bicycle long enough on the open road you will eventually have a collision with a motorist, pedestrian, fellow cyclist, and then the pavement. We often pedal along blissfully unaware of the dangers around us- or we try not to think about them. Even the most attentive cyclist has no control over the actions of others. When disaster does strike it can take your passion away only to have it replaced with fear and trepidation. If you are lucky enough to escape with recoverable injuries you do not come back to the sport with the same perspective. And if you are seriously injured you may not come back at all. Getting back on the bike can be a long, slow, and painful process and it may be the toughest challenge you have ever faced.

I met Ginny Poyner at a USA Triathlon class. She was wearing a full back brace and walked gingerly with a cane. Being the oldest person in the room of mostly "30-somethings", I assumed she had undergone some sort of back surgery (Ginny is 61 years old). Ginny had actually been struck from behind by a motorist while she was training in a Florida bike lane last spring. She was also one of the most accomplished and experienced athletes in the room. Her courage, determination, and attitude so inspired me I asked her if I could interview her for this article. Little did I know that I would soon be enduring my own personal experience of being struck by a car while cycling.

Ginny began racing 22 years ago before there were even cycle computers on bicycles! An avid runner, Ginny decided to attempt a triathlon and was instantly hooked. This led to an aggressive race season that included up to 15 races per year. After several seasons Ginny developed fybromyalgia and could no longer sustain the overhead motions involved in swimming, so she turned to duathlon. In her first race she finished second fastest female.

Most of us dream of an athletic career like Ginny's. A week after a crash on the bike Ginny bandaged her wounds and flew to California to try out for the U.S. Duathlon Team. She made the team and each and every other one, for fifteen years, until she was struck by a motorist in a Florida bike lane last summer. She was the only American to accomplish this feat. While on the U.S. Duathlon Team she earned four silver medals and was ranked first in her age group four times. She has been top five in her division since ranking began and named an All American numerous times.

MR- What injuries did you sustain in the accident?

Ginny- I broke a bone in my leg, broke the left collarbone, fractured the sternum, shattered the L2 vertebrae and had huge gashes on my knees and shoulder. The fender of the car ripped open my left calf, since I was thrown 30 feet beyond my bike, landing on the sidewalk, I lost a lot of skin and I was bruised and cut from head to toe.

MR- Did your doctors know how to treat you differently as an athlete?

Not really. Since I have been an athlete for so many years and I knew how to work through pain, I surprised the doctors and nurses. My graded pain scale was far lower than someone would normally have with my injuries. The medical staff has to force most patients to walk and to do their therapy, but with me, they had to almost tie me down to prevent me from overdoing my therapy exercises. The recovery of my wounds and broken bones, except for the back, were far ahead of what the doctors predicted for someone my age.

My doctor has learned to rephrase his directions to me. My friend told him I would walk to the next town if he instructed me to "Walk as far as you can." I had to have limitations and more precise directions. The doctors are accustomed to working with "seniors", but not like me. The doctor said I did more activity with a broken back than most women my age.

MR- How did your conditioning affect your recovery?

Ginny- The doctors were amazed I even survived the crash. They were astonished I had not broken my hip or pelvis. The doctors told me my healthy life style had saved my life and had prevented further injuries, as well as hastening my recovery. My age was 61, but the muscles of my body were those of a much younger female.

MR- How did your accident affect you emotionally then and now?

Ginny- That's a big one! Two cyclists had been killed in our county about the time of my accident, so I was thankful to be alive and not paralyzed.

The doctors told me there was no physical way I could race again. Biking for fun was a possibility, but running and racing was over. When I first saw my body in the hospital, I thought the doctors may be correct. My friends kept saying, "Ginny, doctors have told you that before and you proved them wrong..." I had a hole in my back where L 2 use to be, my left leg had been ripped opened, damaging the lymphatic system, and I had under gone eight hours of surgery. My emotions were difficult to describe. I had to keep telling myself that not being able to race, would not change who I was.

MR- How did the accident impact you financially?

Ginny- I used a walker or a cane for almost eight months after the accident and was unable to work. I was a master trainer, indoor cycling instructor, and workshop instructor for other trainers. I taught Pilates eight times a week, but being in a back brace for eight months and 19 days, unable to bend or rotate, I am no longer able to teach. I have rods and screws fusing my lumbar together making flexibility non- existent.

The woman that struck me had only enough insurance to pay for the helicopter ride to the trauma unit. My health insurance and I are paying the bills, which are approaching $300,000.00. This financial burden has added additional stress to an already stressful experience.

MR- What role does your attitude play in your recovery?

Ginny- Everything!! I adopted the saying, "You can be in pain, but you don't have to be a pain." My friends tell me I am an inspiration because of my positive attitude and "don't give up" attitude, but if I had been gloom and doom when they visited, they would not want to visit again. I kept telling myself how fortunate I was to be alive and how blessed I was to have so many supportive friends.

MR- Was there anything positive that came from your accident?

Ginny- Yes! Yes! Yes! My Pilates and cycle students became my family. They visited me in the hospital and walked with me in the rehabilitation hospital, drove me to doctor appointments, the grocery store, brought me meals and volunteered to help with anything I needed. One corporate Pilates class collected money for my recovery and members of that class have had lunch with me at least once a month since the accident.

Ralph and Ed (a cycling buddy and a bike store owner) organized a fund raiser called, Ride for Ginny. They collected door prizes, food donations and everything needed for a first class event. Over 300 cyclists rode that day. Some knew me, some had heard of me and some did not know me at all. They were all cyclists who came to show support for a fellow cyclist. The money collected has been my survival money, paying for groceries, utilities etc. My local bike club also gave me a donation towards my recovery expenses. I started receiving cards and emails from cyclists from other states, who were in Florida the time of my accident. Now these strangers are my friends. The outpouring of love and support from so many people has been the reason I have survived this ordeal.

MR- Given the inherent danger and risk of cycling on public roads, would you have chosen another sport to train for in retrospect? Would you recommend triathlon to other athletes?

Ginny- We need to be aware of our surroundings and to ride defensively. Drivers don't always see us; some drivers do not like sharing the road with us. We need to stay focused while riding.

I always recommended the sport of triathlon and duathlon to everyone. Accidents can happen anywhere. I love the sport. Happiness to me is riding my titanium friend (my Roark bike), and racing. Why would you not want to share that with others?

MR- What has your sport given to you?

Ginny- Racing has given me confidence and self-esteem. My racing influenced my choice to change my career from teaching elementary students to teaching adults fitness. I have numerous certifications in the areas of health and fitness now. I became a USAT Race Official and a USAT Level II Coach, because of my love of the sport.

Racing has helped me develop friends all over the U.S. and the world. I have raced in 11 different countries by being a member of the US Team. I have met wonderful, positive, determined and devoted athletes in my many years of racing.

MR- What does the future hold for you?

Ginny- My goal is to ride again and to attend Nationals in May, 14 months after I was told I would not compete again. I may finish last and I will most likely need to do a lot of walking, but I will be there giving 110%- but my placing will be different. I tell my first time triathletes, "Who ever has the most fun wins." I will be a winner even if I finish last.

My career may change due to the damage to my body and what I am able to accomplish. I have a feeling that I will be paying physically and financially for the accident for a long time. At least I am still here to tell about it.

We all seek sources of inspiration for our training and racing. Usually these are in the form of people that have uncommon drive, determination, perseverance, discipline, and attitude. They are sources of strength and courage, and they are not necessarily standing on the podium.

I correspond regularly with Ginny and she is seldom far from my thoughts. Her challenges keep mine in perspective and remind me how lucky I am to be able to do the things I love. As you would imagine Ginny is making remarkable progress and training her body as hard as it allows. Through Ginny's determination and "never say never" attitude she is back to teaching spin classes several times a week and teaching her triathlon courses. She competed in her first duathlon since her accident last week end; and won her age group. Ginny continues to be a source of light and inspiration to those around her.

Virginia (Ginny) Poyner is a USAT expert coach, race official, and certified (master) personal trainer as well as a Pilates and Yoga instructor. Ginny is the only American woman to be on 14 consecutive World Teams, winning 4 silver medals and being nationally ranked #1 in her division - three times. She has been named All American numerous times. You may email Ginny at Triducoach@aol.com.