A bike accident left fashion photographer Sara Black out of the Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship but getting back in the saddle is a tough new journey in and of itself

Photos courtesy of Sara Black

In November 2015, I ran the New York Marathon, my first ever. It was an amazing experience in which I discovered I was limitless. That the things I told myself I could never do, I couldn’t do them because I planted that limited thought in my mind. But the marathon showed me that if I dug deep, I could achieve things beyond my wildest dreams.

I was craving more and a triathlon seemed like a natural sport to transition to. Add to that a crazy bunch of tri-obsessed friends who wouldn’t stop encouraging me to give it a ‘tri.’

So in December 2015, I learned how to swim from scratch. Joined my first aquathlon (Atleta Ako) in March 2016 and then my first open-water swim (VIP swim in Lobo) in June. The only thing missing was the bike part.

When a slot opened up to guest relay for Team Gotta in Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship in Cebu, without even knowing how to bike, I said yes. Totally disregarding the fact that I had a sad childhood in which I did not learn how to bike. When you’ve spent time developing your inner athlete, you gain this confidence that you can enter any situation; you may not know how to wrap your head around it, but you know you’ll be fine.

A scan of Sara Black's hip — A scan of Sara Black’s hip

So I bought a roadie, started riding casually, and then underwent serious training in June to make the 90 kilometers for Cebu. Two months! Could I make it?

I was very diligent with my four rides a week, and three weekends before the big race I attended a triathlon camp in Subic to prep me for Cebu. I was all pumped up.

The four days of hospital confinement made more bearable by visits from people who love Sara Black — The four days of hospital confinement made more bearable by visits from people who love her

Sara Black surrounded by friends and loved ones

Those hills in Subic were pretty challenging for a newbie like me. It was such a relief to get on the downhill. Finally, some speed. I was going about 50 kph when I hit a pothole that had the same color as the road. There was no way for me to tell it was deep. When my wheel came out of the hole, I knew I couldn’t control the bike anymore, so I tried to steer it to some soft grass on the side of the road, and finally crashed on my left hip. The bike flew and my helmet cracked. That was how intense the impact was.

There was a big buzzing sensation and sound for a few moments, kind of like a short circuit. Then I wiggled my toes, moved my legs, and when I tried to get up, I felt the most excruciating pain in my hips. I just laid there refusing to move, but I couldn’t stay in the sun forever, so the guys on the SAG scooped me up and put me in the car. It was so painful, I didn’t know yet at that time my hip was fractured.

"A flood of visitors came every single day to cheer me up," says Sara Black — “A flood of visitors came every single day to cheer me up,” says Sara Black

A visit from the equally sporty and athletic Pangilinan family

When I got to the hospital, I was a mess. I was trembling. I was so scared. But somehow I was able to catch myself and establish presence of mind. I decided to accept the horrible tragedy that just happened and have faith that everything will turn out fine. Luckily, after I was transported by ambulance to Makati Medical Center and was able to get a CT scan, it revealed that the hip fracture was stable and I didn’t need surgery. Thank God! What a miracle.

I spent the next four days confined. I could barely move; otherwise there would be a shooting pain throughout my body. But throughout this whole ordeal, I never felt more loved. A flood of visitors came every single day to cheer me up. Love and prayers from friends and family from all over the world really helped put me in good spirits.

Little did I know, the uphill climb was just about to begin.