RunningAHEAD - Topic: What should I have done???

Old, Slow, Happy

posted: 5/27/2008 at 6:57 AM

I was running a HM on Memorial Day. I am not a fast runner and was trying to get under 1:50 for the race. I had run pretty well and was really feeling good the last 3 miles. Within 3/4 mile of the finish I caught a woman who was having trouble. She started to wobble and was ready to go down. Two of us caught her and helped her onto the curb. The other runner went to tell the police to call an ambulance. I stayed with her. I talked to her a while, but she did not respond. She kept trying to dig energy beans from a pack. Finally I tapped her on the shoulder. She looked at tme. Then I asked her several questions that she answered correctly. The other runner was coming back to help. I asked her if she would stay until other help came and she said "yes". Since she was responsive, I felt she was O.K., so I completed my run. Afterward I thought I should have stayed until the medics got there. I really wanted to finish the race well. My time ended up at around 1:54. Should I have stayed with her until the ambulance got there, or was finishing O.K.? Please let me know what you think.

zoom-zoom

rectumdamnnearkilledem

posted: 5/27/2008 at 7:09 AM

Boy, that's tough...part of me thinks as a samaritan one stays with a fallen person and what would I want others to do if I were the ill runner...but the runner in me says "hey, it's a risk she signed-off on when she registered." I don't think there's really a right or wrong in a situation like that. And being so close to the finish...I don't know that anyone could begrudge you finishing.

Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.

~ Sarah Kay

Large Old Runner

Old, Slow, Happy

posted: 5/27/2008 at 7:12 AM

Thanks!! You make me feel a little better. I feel a little selfish for finishing. Of course, now I have an excuse for not meeting my goal.

dnephin

posted: 5/27/2008 at 7:47 AM

I think you were fine to go on. She seemed to come around from what you said.

DWARP
Marathon Madness Mob

snaik1

posted: 5/27/2008 at 7:58 AM

I agree that you did the right thing. It was a great thing that you stopped in the first place to help the runner out. It looks like she was stable when you left her and that help was on the way. i know if I was the injured runner, I would appreciate the effort and help you gave to me and would want you to finish the race. It's always good to hear stories like these where people are doing the right thing and helping out others in need!!!

millertime1980

Reproduction Specialist

posted: 5/27/2008 at 10:51 AM

Weren't there any spectators around? I would have thought they would have been willing to help. I think you were in the right on making sure she was ok, then finishing your race. And like snaik1 said...At least you stopped and did what you did...that right there is something a lot of people probably wouldn't have done. Good for you. And good finish time.

zoom-zoom

rectumdamnnearkilledem

posted: 5/27/2008 at 10:59 AM

Quote from millertime1980 on 5/27/2008 at 10:51 AM:

Weren't there any spectators around? I would have thought they would have been willing to help.

I wondered that, too, but I have done many races on closed courses where it's hard for spectators to access stretches of the course. It is surprising so close to the finish, though.

Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.

~ Sarah Kay

Ennay

A Saucy Wench

posted: 5/27/2008 at 11:20 AM

Quote from zoom-zoom on 5/27/2008 at 10:59 AM:

I wondered that, too, but I have done many races on closed courses where it's hard for spectators to access stretches of the course. It is surprising so close to the finish, though.

I actually havent had many spectators at most of the races I have done. I think you did fine...you waited until someone else took over, so she wasnt alone.

I have become Death, the destroyer of electronic gadgets

"When I got too tired to run anymore I just pretended I wasnt tired and kept running anyway" - dd, age 7

CanadianMeg

#RunEveryDay

posted: 5/27/2008 at 12:16 PM

I agree that you did the right thing. Kudos for stopping in the first place. If I was the runner you stopped for, I wouldn't want you to not finish on my account. You made sure someone was with her and help was coming. That's all you can do.

Half Fanatic #9292.

Game Admin for RA Running Game 2023.

bruno28

Bruno

posted: 5/27/2008 at 12:16 PM

FWIW--you did great, a scary number of people I know wouldn't have stopped in the first place--think about it were people passing you all while this was happening?

Lisa3.1

posted: 5/27/2008 at 12:20 PM

You did just fine. and Congratulations.

dnstapes

posted: 5/27/2008 at 1:53 PM

I probably would've ran my butt off to the finish line to tell someone with a phone to call for help. Not much you could do by the person's side except watch the minutes tick away.

Mendeldave

ultramarathon/triathlete

posted: 5/29/2008 at 5:31 PM

that was very nice of you. I think you did exactly the right thing. Man it would be hard to stop, I hope I'd do what you did given the situation.

HTFU? Why not!

USATF Coach

Empire Tri Club Coach
Gatorade Endurance Team

Eddy

Slow-smooth-fast

posted: 5/29/2008 at 5:34 PM

Quote from Lisa3.1 on 5/27/2008 at 12:20 PM:

You did just fine. and Congratulations.

Lisa are you from uk?

"I've been following Eddy's improvement over the last two years on this site, and it's been pretty dang solid. Sure the weekly mileage has been up and down, but over the long haul he's getting out the door and has turned himself into quite a runner. He's only now just figuring out his potential. Consistency in running is measured in years, not weeks. And over the last couple of years, Eddy's made great strides" Jeff 14 Jan 2009

What should I have done??? (Read 977 times)