Since we train outdoors in NYC so much, we get inured to the sights and sounds of emergency vehicles. But sometimes, when I observe deliberate and/or massed rush by police vehicles or ambulances, I get a ping of (healthy or unhealthy?) desire to know the reasons, to follow them, to see the speculative gore and drama… Then I recoil with thoughts of things I need to do in my life, and go on my way hoping that it is “not serious” and no one I know is involved.
This morning, during out IronTeam training session, around 6:35am, I was tormenting, I mean coaching, M.C. (on her new bike, finally) during her last ITT loop of the park. As we started on the HSA (Horse Shit Alley) segment of the lower loop, we encountered increased number of runners and riders. Proceeding in this fairly dark section (many lamp posts were out), we were concentrating on safe and fast progress. Being on the right side, I caught a glimpse of the human figure on the sidewalk, hugging the lamp post. He (young Hispanic male) had his left hand/body wrapped around lamp post, and was gently waving his right hand side to side. We raced by. After completing the loop, we debriefed the ride, and while leaving park at the Seventh Avenue exit, noticed, first 2, then another 3 police vehicles, and then ambulance. Wet and cold morning was getting lighter and “normal” life day was ahead… we wondered about these emergency vehicles as we left the park. One hour later, my mail box and online news explained the reason.
First it was Guy stabbed in Central Park posting on slowtwitch forum: “It was still dark, 6.40, southeast corner, close to ice skating rim. He was half leaning against a light, half lying there on the other side of the road and crying. At first I thought he was mentally disabled as he made strange sounds and lay there oddly bent. Short Latino guy in regular (=non work-out) clothes. A group of runners was standing 50 yrds down the road looking in my direction. I carefully approached him and asked if he is ok. Only then I saw what appeared to be a knife sticking in his tummy. Not pretty. I was still cautious as it could have been a fake. I wondered why the other people kept distance. I couldn’t see any blood but it was still dark and he had enough clothes on to potentially cover such. He didn’t reply to me but just kept crying and whining. It was immediately clear that it wasn’t a fake. Then a group of cyclists stopped, unfortunately no medics. One spoke Spanish to him but he was unable to reply with a sentence. Apparently the runners called for help from one of the many fixed phones down the road. “
And a bit later, more definitive explanation:
Man Stabbed Himself In Central Park near Wollman Rink
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City police say an emotionally disturbed man is recovering at a hospital after he claimed he was stabbed in Central Park. The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. Thursday near the Wollman skating rink. The man was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center with a knife wound to his abdomen. He is expected to recover. The 29-year-old man has a history of mental illness and has on four previous occasions stabbed himself and then called the police. He is being uncooperative with authorities.
TM & Copyright 2009 CBS Radio Inc.
As we live and train in our sandbox of New York City, we really do not notice how awfully large it is and how many humans and their stories it contains. No lesson here. Live on.
Stage 1 was 33K (21 miles) and included about 15K of very severe stretch of steep dunes at Erg Chebbi, 10K of stony plains and more big dunes toward the finish. Note that this stage should have been already day two of the race but first day was cancelled due to unbelievable conditions – race venue saw more rain in 3-4 days than any locals remember for decades. All Lifers finished and seemed to be doing well.
