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Don't Leave Me Alone! Dear Runners: This past Saturday [in July 2006] while running with the marathon training group, I started out for my typical Saturday run. A little less than 2 miles into it, I started feeling weak & told my group that I was going to head back as I wasn't feeling well. I waved off my group like I was fine/everything was OK, planning on heading back on my own. Fortunately for me, one of the runners in my group stayed with me to make sure I was OK. Next thing I knew, my vision went black, I dropped to my knees, passed out momentarily, & fell flat on my face. As it turns out, I tried to get up & passed out again (& again). Fortunately the runner that stayed with me, plus a biking passerby (who remains anonymous), called 911 & got me help. I'm writing this to show how important it is to run with somebody else & to stress how critical it is for someone to stay with a runner that has fallen behind. Even if that runner is a seasoned runner like myself. I still don't know the cause of my incident - tests are upcoming. For those who don't know me, I'm a runner of (15+ yrs) with many marathons under my belt. I feel this is important to mention as, I have proven, this can happen to anyone no matter how fit they are. Thanks to Chris, the mystery bicycle girl, & other passer-byers who stopped & showed their concern. Also, thanks to everyone who inquired on my health & made this easier to deal with. Especially my fiance Penny who has been driving me crazy asking me how I feel every 10 minutes! And, in case you're curious how they got me off the trail, they came in with a 4-wheel type golf-cart to take me to a street where an ambulance was waiting. Hopefully you'll never have to experience it first hand. Bill Wachter (the man who once thought he was invincible) [Member - Park Forest Running and Pancake Club] |
