True Life: I Got Run Over By a Bike

I'm going to start off with the most cliche of cliche phrases by saying that, last Thursday began as another normal day-- because it did. I woke up, went to both of my classes, and was done before noon with all of my necessary obligations. At about 2, I decide to go for a run. I'm training for a marathon, and it feels as though I've run every trail, path, sidewalk or treadmill in all of Columbia, Missouri. So on this specific day, I opt for a short run around campus.

This Thursday had ideal running weather, a little overcast with a slight breeze. I had to drop off my parking ticket in the mail at the student center, so I run there first. Instead of turning right out of the main doors of the student center, I turn left and head towards the Ag building. I'm on the phone with my mom about how excited I am to study abroad my junior year, and was really into my conversation. So I'm laughing, talking with my hands, you know... pretty into this conversation, when I hear an approaching, "Watch out... WATCH OUT." I was in mid-run and not even on the sidewalk, so of course I pay no attention to the background voice, figuring it was some other idiot who wasn't looking where they were going. Out of my peripherals, I see a terrored face coming straight at me on a bike. My reaction is no good at this point, it was physically impossible for me to move that quick to get out of the way of this bike. He runs into me first, I skid against the ground, the bike is laying on top of me. His bookbag and all of its contents were splattered on the ground, as well as his brand spanking new-looking Beat (Dr. Dre) headphones. This kid looks TERRIFIED. I get up, still on the phone with my mom, ask him if he's okay and repeatedly say how sorry I am. He looked like a baby, freshman. He was scared, didn't know what to say or do. I am almost positive I saw those innocent eyes of his sparkle with tears. I couldn't help but laugh a little, as horrible as that is, and help him grab his things.

I laughed because really... who gets run over by a bike... while they are running... directly in front of the student center. Come on. I'm sure I'm a social media hit all over Mizzou laying flat face on the ground, in my hot pink workout top. The scene was pretty hard to miss.

That night, I realized I had a concussion, and about a bruise (that still hurts) the size of both my fists together on the right side of my body. I'm not sure if his handlebars didn't work properly to turn, or I'm just an idiot who should pay more attention when crossing the street. It's safe to say that I never thought that I would get run over by a biker. On the bright side, at least it's a funny story to look back on.