tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364062761827224922.post7063767908412012809..comments2023-09-22T07:20:54.259-05:00Comments on The Active Joe: Cheering at the Hottest HalfLibby Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15909833677711055107noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364062761827224922.post-51705489341218708302010-08-19T11:47:49.568-05:002010-08-19T11:47:49.568-05:00Glad to hear you guys were able to help the runner...Glad to hear you guys were able to help the runner that went down. Scary stuff! I was surprised by the lack of medical staff on the course and the lack of fluids. I didn't realize how many people went down and how bad it really was with the aid stations until I read race reports when I got home. It was definitely an interesting race and I'm glad I slowed down and took plenty of walk breaks. If I run this one again I will definitely take my own water bottle.<br /><br />And thanks for the gummy bears. I helped myself to a handful as I went by... but probably would have taken a handgun as well! :) <br /><br />I loved the cold blue towels at the finish line! That totally made my day! It would have been great to have out on the course as well! Looking forward to the Heels and Hills and Him Half in September!Tarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07162859210245800598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364062761827224922.post-45828193589972084032010-08-17T13:25:41.486-05:002010-08-17T13:25:41.486-05:00Libby, you are awesome for even standing out in th...Libby, you are awesome for even standing out in that heat. I thank God that I made the decision to just slow down and walk most of the last third of the race. I didn't see as many collapse as you did, and I hope that's because the pack I was with was taking it pretty slow and spending the time to wait in line at the water fountains along the lake. I will say there was part of me that just wanted to push and get it over with, but I'm glad I made the wiser choice. Thankful you were there for those downed runners. Sad that there wasn't enough medical personnel (although I heard from EW that there were over 200 DNF, and I don't think any race plans for 10% of their race field needed significant medical attention). Conditions were harsh. Sorry I missed you at mile 11, but glad it was because I slowed down enough to cross the finish on my feet instead of in a stretcher. I have vowed to never race in the heat again without carrying my own fluids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364062761827224922.post-26710023106046822682010-08-17T12:55:59.093-05:002010-08-17T12:55:59.093-05:00Wow, that's crazy! Glad you were there, and I...Wow, that's crazy! Glad you were there, and I'm pretty shocked that there wasn't a lot of medical staff and fluids around - it was HOTHOTHOT that morning (I know, I was outside biking...)Quixhttp://www.adjustedreality.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364062761827224922.post-50283017370978762972010-08-17T12:14:36.540-05:002010-08-17T12:14:36.540-05:00Wow! Just shows we runners are a crazy, determined...Wow! Just shows we runners are a crazy, determined group of people! It is a good thing there are always great volunteers ready to help!Fruit Flyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10747205899650070873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364062761827224922.post-48969207260371859882010-08-17T11:51:14.134-05:002010-08-17T11:51:14.134-05:00Libby,
I was one of the runners who ran ahead to ...Libby,<br /><br />I was one of the runners who ran ahead to try and get help. I am pretty sure that I recognize you from your picture. I have never been so scared in all my life to see that many runners going down, along with the dozens and dozens who were obviously struggling. When I got the next aid station, the volunteers there said that they had been provided no way to contact race officials. I never saw any support bikes, vehicles or personnel to flag down either. Not too much farther down the trail from the rest stop, two more runners had collapsed. One of them was right in front of me. I flagged down a bike patrol officer who said he would call for medical emergency support. I stayed with the runner until an ambulance arrived. By the time I got the last water station, they were already closing up shop and said that they couldn't get any further assistance from race officials for the runners either.<br /><br />At that point it was all that I could do to make it in to the finish. I looked for the RD at the finish but was told that he could not be located. I did speak with the race official who was handling the awards presentation though who could only say that they had been overwhelmed by amount of fluids and cups that the runners were taking out on course. That's pretty sad considering the timing, the promised conditions as well as the promised support for the event.<br /><br />If it weren't for you, and the other samaritans along the course, the Half field for sure wouldn't have made it in at all. You may not remember me but I asked for some ice to top off my carry bottle. You obliged and I gratefully told you that you were probably going to be saving the day for me by the end of the race. You did. And even better, I was able to bathe my distressed runner with the cool water until a fire rescue unit could be flagged over from the road.<br /><br />I have emailed the Mellew Productions RD but have not gotten a response. Thank you again on behalf of the other runners for your thoughtfulness, quick thinking, and cool headed support. <br /><br />Jim Austin<br />Bib # 627Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com