Peter Howes, aged 66, was an avid runner who logged 20 miles a week. Yards from the finish line at the annual Thanksgiving Day 10-K Turkey Trot in Virginia Beach, he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed. Luckily, several fellow runners came to his aid including nurses and a cardiovascular specialist. A tragic incident with qualified medical professionals nearby. What are the odds of that?
Mr. Howes was rushed to Sentara Virginia Beach hospital where he underwent surgery and remained in critical condition for more than a week. He died on December 6th.
I recall seeing at least four news articles about Mr. Howe's collapse and subsequent hospital stay. The last headline read: "Va. Beach runner who collapsed at Turkey Trot dies." Unfortunately, people die every day. Evidently, the local media found it newsworthy that he collapsed while he was - God forbid - running. It was as if the primary message conveyed in the headline and article was "Mr Howes was asking for it," or "look what can happen if you go out and run race!" Maybe they should have just crafted a headline that read: "If you run, you will die."
Admittedly, I am an avid runner. I was saddened by the loss of a fellow runner and frustrated by the media coverage. Where are the news headlines that read: "Overweight and sedentary man dies after years of 5,000+ a day caloric intake." Or, "Three pack a day smoker collapses at the food mart passes away." No, we can't single out those who abuse their bodies. That would be insensitive. They can't help it if they eat like an ox or smoke like at chimney. It's society's fault. Blah, Blah, Blah.
Runners are, for the most part, very fit and very caring - as demonstrated by the fine people that came to his aid. Runners are doing their best to fight time and gravity; doing their darnedest to stay healthy for themselves and their loved ones. Let's recognize their ongoing achievements and commitment to fitness rather than their last race.
