It got me thinking. Isn't that what we are supposed to do? Stop and help those who have fallen. In my opinion, this story speaks to the greater problem in this country. Too many people out for just themselves. Too few willing to stop and help someone when there is a "cost".

Last edited Sun Sep 30, 2012, 01:34 AM - Edit history (1)

I have run a lot of races. A run that makes me feel very particularly satisfied is a certain Napa Valley Marathon back in the mid-eighties.

Napa is a road marathon, mostly restricted to cars. After a significant climb and descent around miles ~19-20 there is a couple mile straight stretch where traffic is allowed and the runners are on the right shoulder. Maybe a 100 yards in front of me on the left there was a field where a dog, a yellow lab, was running. A car was approaching. The conclusion played out in my mind before it inevitably happened. And obviously, the woman a bit in front of me had the same experience. We were both across the road and sprinting for the dog as soon as the car passed. The dog was down and slightly bloodied, but didn't have obvious broken bones. Within a few of minutes we flagged down a car. Another runner had also come over to help. We lifted the dog into the car, which headed for the Napa emergency vet.

We took deep breathes, shook hands, and resumed the last 4 or so miles into the finish. I asked around at the finish, but I don't know the outcome for the dog.

Geoff Calkins was clearly much more confident and capable in his response to the injured fellow runner than our little group helping the dog. I still am proud that our instincts led us to the appropriate actions.

Yeah, the old cliche, not winning or losing, but how you play...

It takes a village... welcome to DU!