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Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz)
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tim-mech
Aug 26, 08 11:03
Post #1 of 17 (1943 views)
Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz)
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Is there such a thing as a "good death"? There is a quote from the daughter saying essentially, he went out doing what he loved while going for the win. I believe this is pretty close to the "better" end of the spectrum of deaths humans face.
http://www.sfgate.com/...08/26/BAMS12I9ED.DTL
No history of heart issues so in this case, just like those who have undetected brain blood vessel weaknesses and die of aneurysms, you just do what you do that gives you joy and let the dice roll.
I couldn't live in a bubble or on a couch all my life and clearly, neither could Mr. Coulston. Cheers to you sir!
Tim
#########################################
"Show me a guy who works to keep his family together, spends time with his kids, dates his wife, and compromises on his training sessions....I'll show a guy who's family is important to them." -MJuric
"Corrective action is blocked by vested interests, by well-intentioned political and business leaders, and by their electorates, all of whom are perfectly correct in not noticing big changes from year to year. Instead, each year there are just somewhat more people, and somewhat fewer resources, on Earth."-Jared Diamond
Diesel
Aug 26, 08 11:09
Post #2 of 17 (1908 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [tim-mech]
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Makes my stomach hurt reading stuff like this...
"had made it to within 100 yards of the shore after swimming nearly all the 1.5 mile triathlon leg"
This is all too familiar with triathlon deaths.
TypeA
Aug 26, 08 11:14
Post #3 of 17 (1870 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [tim-mech]
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not much you can say to that, i mean, couldnt have happened in a better place, except for the fact that he had family there cheering for him.
But i hope when im 63, i can be swimming with the best of them
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift"
karma
Aug 26, 08 11:30
Post #4 of 17 (1777 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [tim-mech]
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Phil was a great guy, full of life and fun to be around. He was a swimmer in college and had just returned to open water for the first time in years. A few weeks ago we all laughed together at the Del Valle Aqua Challenge and last weekend I saw him and his son and law at Aquatic Park out for a test spin in the new wetsuit. Like Erin said, he past away doing something that made him happy. Prayers go out to the famly, who are going through a lot of tough emotions this week.
Dave
_______________________________________________
"For those people who just refuse to be likeable, I'll accommodate them by not liking them" - Slowman
(This post was
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by karma on Aug 26, 08 11:50)
SLC_vt98
Aug 26, 08 11:43
Post #5 of 17 (1718 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [TypeA]
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not much you can say to that, i mean, couldnt have happened in a better place, except for the fact that he had family there cheering for him.
But i hope when im 63, i can be swimming with the best of them
In another light, from his perspective perhaps it was better to have family around than to "die surrounded by strangers"....
...
Run like you stole something
TypeA
Aug 26, 08 11:59
Post #6 of 17 (1631 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [SLC_vt98]
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very true!!
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift"
Old and Haggard
Aug 26, 08 12:06
Post #7 of 17 (1579 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [tim-mech]
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I don't buy this stuff. When I go, I want to be around my family and friends, not stuffed in a wetsuit at the sea bottom, or lying bleeding next to the car that ran me over, or on some trail by myself. This "doing what he loved" is nonsense.
That, or doing something involving triplets and chocolate syrup.
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Ken Lehner
"reread klenher [sic] and pretty much skip the rest." - desert dude 5/25/2008
tim-mech
Aug 26, 08 13:38
Post #8 of 17 (1330 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [Old and Haggard]
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I hear ya on the triplets and chocolate syrup (of course only after my wife has pre-deceased me for a dignified period of time). And most definitely being able to spend lucid time in conversation with loved ones near the end, ranks very high.
You have to admit however, that on the death continuum, dying whilst engaged in something one really loves, and that you had a life-time affinity for, is loads better than departing the living while stuck in traffic or cringing in ditch as the bombs and bullets rain down.
Tim
#########################################
"Show me a guy who works to keep his family together, spends time with his kids, dates his wife, and compromises on his training sessions....I'll show a guy who's family is important to them." -MJuric
"Corrective action is blocked by vested interests, by well-intentioned political and business leaders, and by their electorates, all of whom are perfectly correct in not noticing big changes from year to year. Instead, each year there are just somewhat more people, and somewhat fewer resources, on Earth."-Jared Diamond
karma
Aug 26, 08 14:12
Post #9 of 17 (1226 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [Old and Haggard]
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Actually you are 100% wrong. He was as happy as I have ever seen him and looking forward to race day like a little kid.
Here's a quick note from my good friend, his son-in-law.
Through this tragedy I have again been reminded of the goodness of humanity and would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the event staff and other athletes who did everything they could to help. Several people stopped in the water to assist us, but one athlete in particular went above and beyond, climbing into the rescue boat with me and helping to administer CPR before we could get to help on shore. I don't know who he was or what his name is, but that day he was an angel. Thank you.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Phil's honor to the National Liver Foundation.
http://www.liverfoundation.org/donate
_______________________________________________
"For those people who just refuse to be likeable, I'll accommodate them by not liking them" - Slowman
pito00
Aug 26, 08 15:36
Post #10 of 17 (1076 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [tim-mech]
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I competed at this race on Sunday, and I'm so sad somebody died. My girlfriend said she may have been next to the gentleman who passed away when his daughter said to her husband, "don't lose my dad out there."
Jumping into the water from the boats, there was a lot of nervous noise from the participants, and the water was chilly but not super cold. There was a gathering of swimmers in a rough starting line demarcated by kayakers, the sky was dark with cloud cover, the water was a deep green and kind of eerie. After a few minutes of treading water and getting jostled, the ferry blew its fog horn, and the race started.
The bay was surprisingly warm once you got moving. I didn't once feel uncomfortable temperature-wise in my wetsuit and swimcap, and the water was only marginally choppy. The current was giving a generous push in the right direction, so my swim time was about 3 minutes faster than I expected it to be. I got out of the water safely, and was on my way with some cheers from the crowd.
The rest of the race was uneventful (but freaking hard), until I overheard the race organizer telling another finisher to not bother with the awards ceremony, that they would mail out podium plaques, which seemed odd at the time.
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On my way up!
"Drugs are for medical conditions. Being an athlete is not a medical condition."
-Dr. W, WADA
coulster
Aug 27, 08 18:22
Post #11 of 17 (802 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [tim-mech]
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As 'the daughter' mentioned in a previous post, I can definitely say that my dad died doing something that he had a life-long passion for. He wasn't out there to set a record - just to finish, I assure you. That said, his talents run deep when it comes to swimming - according to the race director, he was on pace to break the 'over 60' record and finish in the top 100 of the entire field at the age of 63. He felt no pain, didn't drown, and literally just stopped breathing. My husband was six feet from him and started mouth-to-mouth within seconds of Dad stopping - there was nothing that anyone could do. We should all be so lucky to die with a timing chip on our ankles, doing something that fills us with so much joy. Dad had a passion for living life to the fullest, and truly enjoyed his time swimming in our triathlon community - he felt honored to be able to be a part of it. Many thanks to the athletes who have been so supportive of my family during our time of loss - my mom's been overwhelmed with the outpouring of condolences.
Respectfully,
Erin
And to Ken Lehner, this 'doing what you love' stuff is not nonsense - he was not 'stuffed in a wetsuit and lying on the bottom of the sea' - don't be so ignorant and insensitive. I am so glad that I was there - speaking for my entire family, for as difficult as it was for us, there is absolutely no place else on earth that any of us would have rather been.
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(This post was
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by coulster on Aug 27, 08 18:31)
h2ofun
Aug 27, 08 18:33
Post #12 of 17 (750 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [coulster]
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Sorry for your lose. Thoughts are with you and your family.
Dave
MyAthlete.biz GPS
Bringing families into your racing
Gazelle
Aug 27, 08 19:45
Post #13 of 17 (653 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [coulster]
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I too am so sorry for your loss - thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. It does sound like your dad went the way he would have wanted to, and I'm sure that's a comfort for you and your family, and it's a great thing. Best wishes to all of you - my thoughts are with you.....
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http://thethighmasterroutetokona.blogspot.com/
http://www.bschoolessays.com/
tim-mech
Aug 27, 08 19:57
Post #14 of 17 (630 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [coulster]
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Erin, I hope I am able to say the same of my dad when he leaves this Earth and that my girls can express it the way you just have when it's my time.
Sadly, my dad leads a very sedentary life and his health suffers for it. I fear his decline will be a slow and painful one.
I wish you, your mom, your husband and extended family peace and condolences.
Thank you for sharing.
Tim
#########################################
"Show me a guy who works to keep his family together, spends time with his kids, dates his wife, and compromises on his training sessions....I'll show a guy who's family is important to them." -MJuric
"Corrective action is blocked by vested interests, by well-intentioned political and business leaders, and by their electorates, all of whom are perfectly correct in not noticing big changes from year to year. Instead, each year there are just somewhat more people, and somewhat fewer resources, on Earth."-Jared Diamond
TJ56
Aug 28, 08 7:05
Post #15 of 17 (395 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [coulster]
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Sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. My condolences to you and your family.
lesson989
Aug 28, 08 7:39
Post #16 of 17 (316 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [coulster]
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I'm sorry for the loss of your dad. I concur completely with your sentiments. My dad's health is failing (he was never active) and he has been wheelchair bound and pretty miserable for at least the past three years. I am quite sure that it is better to die doing something you love than to spend years in a wheelchair and miserable.
Again, my condolences.
trackie clm
Aug 28, 08 7:43
Post #17 of 17 (294 views)
Re: Swim death at Escape From the Rock (Alcatraz) [coulster]
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Condolences to you and your family.
clm
http://ironclm.typepad.com
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