Okay, I know the saying is usually "WHERE'S a cop when you need one?" Things just worked out differently, this weekend. And it all became clear when I was pulled over while running. (Man am I getting fast!)
On Saturday's long run (a personal record 29 miles), I was crossing a controlled intersection, and I had the green. A lady making a right turn on red went through the all-to-familiar process of "Look left and look right through the runner, look right, gun it," nearly running me down as I ran in the crosswalk. I yelled, slammed my hand on her hood, and jumped so that my feet wouldn't be planted when she hit me. Then she laid on her horn at me.
I managed to avoid getting hit and must have looked like a Hamm brother on the pommel horse. I glanced back in disgust as the women yelled out her window to ask if I was alright. I muttered something and kept running.
A couple miles later, I was stopped by a police officer who asked if I was the guy that got hit by the car at such-and-such an intersection. I told him I was, pointing out that I wasn't actually hit. He told me he had pulled the driver over. While he didn't indicate the outcome of that stop, I was pleased with just the traffic stop. After dealing with the driver, he tracked me down because he was concerned with the way I bounced off the car.
I let him know I had jumped and avoided getting hit, and thanked him for both talking to the driver and for following up with me.
I've said it before and I'll repeat myself here. Drivers just aren't looking for runners, particularly when they are making right turns. If you aren't to their left, they'll never see you. Remember to "drive" for them and remain on the defensive.
I broke my own rule and ran in front of the first car at the intersection. I tend to go behind them. If you do pass in front, always keep your eyes on the vehicle, not the driver. It's more important to see what the car is doing than seek eye contact with the driver. They can look right at you and hit the gas.
 Now, for your viewing pleasure, Iron Pol after the second long run of the weekend. To be fair, we wrote the "50 miles" before actually mapping out the course. It was only 48.6 miles. I did 29 miles on Saturday in 4:55 (with 10 minutes in pit stops). That was followed up on Sunday with another 19.6 miles in about 3:45. My son was supposed to be offering me Gatorade. It looks more like he's trying to pour water on my head.
That would have helped, too.
Perhaps it's just a bad summer. Perhaps it's just because I pay more attention. Or perhaps these tragedies are receiving more attention so people become better aware.
On Wednesday, two Milwaukee endurance athletes were struck by a drunk driver while on a ride. Nancy Sellars, a 48-year old with an impressive athletic resume was killed. Tom Chopp, the other cyclist, is in the hospital with a fractured pelvis and rib damage. The suspect in the case was arrested for intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and is free on bond. With the death of Nancy, one would presume the charges would be updated to include manslaughter and the bond would be either increased or revoked entirely.
Sadly, Nancy was the second local cyclist killed in a 12-hour time span. David Bradenburg was struck and killed by an inattentive driver a short time before Nancy was hit. While statistics for Wisconsin bicycle deaths are down, the loss of two cyclists in less than half a day is frightening.
Nancy was well known for her accomplishments as an endurance athlete. A four time Ironman, she also had five Birkebiener cross country ski races and dozens of century rides under her belt. Most recently, she completed the Race Across America bike race as part of Team Badger Bikers. Together, they raised more than $70,000 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
I didn't know her personally (that I know of), but she was a sister triathlete. I know something about what motivated her and a bit about the lifestyle she must have led. The accident occurred in Racine County, and it is only fitting that I dedicate my next race, The Spirit of Racine half-Ironman to Nancy's memory.
Roman Mica recently posted an article about a local sheriff's take on cyclists, traffic laws, and attitudes. The sheriff, along with many readers, made very vocal comments about their perception of the attitude of cyclists. In return, cyclists tried to help others understand the environment they sometimes face. And to be fair, other cyclists did much to prove the sheriff's point.
On Sunday, there was yet another incident in which cyclists paid the price for the actions of a driver. In a race in Monterrey, Mexico, an alledgedly drunk and sleeping driver slammed into riders on the course of a local race. One cyclist was killed and another 10 were injured. One article is here. A word of caution, the included picture is quite disturbing and somewhat graphic.
To avoid the accusation of stereotyping, allow me to start by saying that not all drivers are drunk. Most drivers remain awake while driving and focus reasonable attention to the road and others around them. And it is, fortunately, still relatively rare for a cyclist to be hit by a motorist.
There is, however, a big "but." Cyclists have no way of knowing which motorist IS drunk. Or asleep. Or paying more attention to (pick one: their cell phone, the radio, breakfast/lunch/dinner, personal hygiene, some very important aspect of the local scenery). When a car is approaching with a great deal of momentum, cyclists have little warning of any impending doom.
So, when the motorist decides at the last moment to lay on their horn to "warn" the cyclist they are passing, reactions tend to be negative. If passengers in the car try to "share" a beverage container (or the actual beverage) with the cyclist, the response is unlikely to be positive. Motorists (and civil authorities) who are completely oblivious to the law regarding a cyclist's right to the road often elicit bad attitudes.
I share the road with hundreds of cars every time I get on my bike. The vast majority of them are in the hands of responsible drivers. The occassional poor choice on their part is most likely offset by the occassional poor choice on my part. The opportunity for unintentional situations always exist.
They aren't the ones that concern me. For any non-cycling motorists who might read this, remember that "wonder" is a two way street. While you wonder about a cyclist's "negative attitude," they are wondering if you're driving the car that is going to injure or kill them.
It's amazing how things can change a person's perspective. After spending the weekend dealing with a rather sick two-year old, I figured it was good blog fodder. Then I read a news article about the Gulf Coast Triathlon that made a couple nights sleeping on the floor seem pretty inconsequential.
During Saturday's race, Patrick Kane, 38, or Roswell, Georgia was pulled from the Gulf of Mexico and later passed away at the hospital.
We don't know Patrick, and can only guess that triathlon was something he loved. He dedicated an early May Saturday to completing the 70.3 miles of a half-Ironman. An unknown and tragic situation led to his early death.
Remember that what we do has some built-in risks, and make sure you are prepared for whatever the day's training or racing might hold in store. Though uncommon, every situation like this means we've lost another member of the triathlon family.
Train and race safe!
In the 80s I liked to watch Hill Street Blues. This police show opened each episode with roll call where the precinct sergeant went through important news and information. At the end of each roll call, as the officers headed out to work, the sergeant would remind them to "Be careful out there."
Such words of caution are important to triathletes, a fact reinforced this past weekend. Two local cyclists had the limits of their luck tested when an inattentive driver struck them from behind. Driving at an estimated 50 mph, the driver hit the trailing cyclist. After slamming into the car's windshield, she was thrown forward into her husband, who was biking in front of her. They both wound up in the ditch on the side of the road.
Miraculously, both were able to walk away from the accident essentially unscathed. They took the wife to the hospital for x-rays, and she is, so far, fine other than some significant bruising. Obviously, her bike did not fare so well, and I imagine the driver's insurance will be taking a hit for a new one.
The driver, who was cited for inattentive driving, stated that he was unable to stop in time. An interesting statement considering he was coming from behind them, and stopping should not have been required. In the end, it was one more driver oblivious to at least some of the conditions around him. Luckily, the cyclist wasn't seriously injured or killed.
As triathletes, most of us are fairly confident in our cycling abilities. We are also aware that even a momentary loss of focus can turn a great race day into a painful trip to the hospital. Sadly, it is the inattention of others that proves most devestating to bikers on the road.
So... Be careful out there!
Related news update: A group of triathletes participating in a group swim at Solana Beach in San Diego, California are trying to deal with the tragedy of a fatal shark attack. We sometimes lose sight of the dangers associated with swimming, particularly swimming in ocean venues. Please keep the family and friends of this unnamed triathlete in your prayers.
Update 2: I just got an E-mail back from Kahuna. It was short, but removes any vestige of concern he was involved. A stop by Commodore's site to check up on him provided further information, as the victim was a "friend of a friend."
On Sunday, the cycling and triathlon worlds were again hit with tragedy when Kristy Gough and Matt Peterson were killed after being struck by a car. Kristy was the 2004 winner of the 25-29 age group at the Ironman World Championships. She had recently made a transition to elite cycling and had her eyes on the Olympics.
Sadly, the initial reports are that the vehicle that hit them had crossed a double yellow line into the path of the cyclists. Gough and Peterson were killed and a third cyclist was seriously injured.
Please pray for the families of these victims as they deal with the loss of loved ones. And watch yourselves as you hit the roads for the training and race season. We all know the number of drivers who are oblivious to anything on two wheels, and we don't have the loud pipes of a motorcycle to help protect us.
Irony. An incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected results. Most often used in sentences of the "isn't it ironic that" variety.
With a bunch of vehicle maintenance and one dentist appointment scheduled for Friday, we decided that it was a good time for me to use a vacation day. That allowed us to drop the car off Thursday night, and still arrange it so I could do my training and attend a meeting while Mrs. Pol could see the dentist and run some errands. With the extra time at home, I worked to finish installing network connections to our server.
The kids enjoyed that, as they got to help with things like operate the shop vac, steal my wrenches, and watch me put holes in walls. The high point of the day was when my son got to pull CAT-5 cable through the holes using a fish tape. He was excited, and it saved time. Well, until he decided to push the cables back INTO the holes, so they weren't "in the way." Even so, it was probably a wash.
As I was unable to actually complete the connections on Friday, I headed back downstairs on Saturday night (the server sits under the basement staircase). Here's the irony part. I stepped over a box to get at the cables and connection box and walked right onto the claw of a hammer. Though we avoided any trips to the hospital, my plans for the 15K race next Saturday may be shot.
There are three rules my kids are used to hearing. The first is a near daily comment. "Watch where you are walking." Whether it's walls, toys, furniture, or siblings, my children regularly run into or through things that mess them up. The other two are "workplace" guidelines. Always wear protective gear (including shoes and gloves) and don't leave tools laying around.
When I realized I had stepped on a hammer that I had left laying out, I had to laugh at myself. By failing to "do as I say," I had set myself up. The bright side? The kids were in bed. Only my wife saw the outcome of my choices.
Sometimes, we get complacent. In this case, the loss of focus only cost me a sore foot, and may possibly sideline me for a race I want to run. That's really a cheap price to pay. Other times, complacency can be more costly. Perhaps it's forgetting to replace items in your bike bag. Perhaps it's money left on the table when heading out for a long ride. Or maybe it's riding without a helmet because "it's just a short ride." The RoadID left at home the one time it's needed.
Triathletes tend to obsess over things. That's a good thing as one of those things is safety. Apparently, I need to apply some of the focus when I'm at home. I could have done with a bit of obsessing Saturday night.
 The other day I was driving through town when I saw something that really made me think. Two girls were on a bike, one standing on back wheel pegs. The girl on the back was talking on a phone. But the truly scary part was that the girl actually driving the bike was either dialing a number or sending a text message. Given the amount of attention she was paying to the keypad, I'm willing to bet she was texting.
The frightening part isn't that this was occurring. They were on a bike, and the biggest threat they posed was to themselves. What is frightening is that these young ladies will soon be moving into motor vehicles. And too many recent accidents involving young people appear to also involve cell phones and text messaging.
Some might consider me an old "fuddy-duddy" for saying that text messaging and driving (anything, motorized or otherwise) don't mix. I would counter by saying I oppose draconian laws restricting the use of phones in the car. I do, however, fully support prohibitions against texting while driving. Of course, my dad pointed out enforcement is a bit of a challenge.
He's probably right. Laws are probably the wrong approach, anyway. Education, example, and culture would likely have better results. Just as my kids will never see me in a vehicle without my seatbelt fastened, they will never see me dial a phone while I am driving. And if I am talking on the phone, it is hands-free. By setting a good example now, it will be easier to educate them about safe cell phone use as they get older. As individuals gain an understanding of cell phone safety, culture just might change.
As a parent, I can understand the benefits of allowing minors to have cell phones. I would argue that such decisions must be based on maturity, education, and experience. It is a similar decision to allowing a minor to ride a bike or skateboard, drive a car, or use a firearm. Few parents would ever hand over the keys to the family car without going over the rules. Cell phones should receive the same consideration.
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Most weekends, news from the world of endurance events differs greatly from "ordinary" news. While nightly news casts are full of doom and gloom, race news is generally about people overcoming major challenges and achieving great success. Unfortunately, this weekend was somewhat different.
For the first time in its history, the Chicago Marathon was cancelled mid-race due to weather conditions. Hundreds of participants required medical attention and one runner died, apparently due to the heat. The temperature at 8 a.m. was a very unseasonable 69F, and it warmed into the 80s before the race was cancelled three and a half hours later. Though race officials planned for the higher temperatures, participants reported many aid stations were unprepared for the increased demand for fluids.
Tragedy also struck the Army 10-miler held in Arlington, Virginia. A local man died within sight of the finish line. Again, warm weather was cited as the probable cause.
My first thought is that as endurance athletes, we need to keep our competitive natures in check. Anyone knows that training on an 85F day requires we slow down, increase fluid intake, and watch for signs of heat related illness. Unfortunately, we sometimes lose sight of this when racing. The desire to finish, beat a PR, or achieve some other goal can blind us to our own safety.
There are a great many concerns when racing in the heat. Two, heat stroke and hyponatremia, have the very real potential to be fatal. Many others can turn a nice day of racing into a less exciting day in the emergency room. And just because it's the fall or winter doesn't mean these issues can be ignored.
The tragedies of the weekend are shocking reminders that the sports in which we particpate can be dangerous, even deadly. As with so many other aspects of our lives, we must be responsible for our own safety. Race officials and volunteers face tremendous limits when it comes to controlling all of the factors that can impact a racer. Participants must play an active role when it comes to ensuring they end the day in one piece.
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