Bix 7

Last weekend I ran the Bix7, a super hilly 7 mile race through Davenport, IA. The participation this year was about 18,000 runners and there was a giant post race party with TONS of food. It was awesome. Also at the finish was a large medical tent and volunteers who would look at people at the finish and decide if they needed medical attention.

When I finished I was very hot and tired and breathing hard but I want to make it clear that I did not need medical attention and I felt that I was behaving in a pretty acceptable way for someone who had just finished a hot, hilly, 7 miler. There was a woman with a bucket of cold cloths walking by and I asked if I could have one and reached towards the bucket. She was busy giving cloths to other finishers and walked away which made a medic nearby interpret my actions in the following way:

1) Speaking unintelligibly = confused and unaware of surroundings (Really I was just breathing hard so I couldn't make full sentences. I was not confused--I knew exactly what I wanted but that bucket lady wouldn't give it to me).

2) Staggering forwards arm outstretched = loss of control (NO. I wanted a freaking cold cloth).

3) Drenched in sweat = overheated (Duh. I just finished a race).

Anyways, the concerned medic grabbed my arm and forcefully pulled me into the medical tent shouting "Station 2! Station 2!" and led me to a cot to sit on. I kept saying I was fine but they wouldn't listen. They just thought I was confused and didn't know what I was talking about. Inside the tent I was covered in cold cloths and sprayed with water. This felt good but it was a little much. When they brought out the blood pressure sleeve I stood up and said "No, I really am fine" and left the tent. I think they were still skeptical but that medic had released her iron grip on my arm and I was able to get away. I then went and gorged on the post-race goodies and the afternoon was great.