tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13171876.post315350618671540796..comments2023-07-18T01:52:29.846-07:00Comments on Sarah's Triathlon Adventure: Post Script: Barbara WarrenSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01469099803097245627noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13171876.post-91727016741303949832008-08-28T10:36:00.000-07:002008-08-28T10:36:00.000-07:00I am deeply saddened by the death of this accompli...I am deeply saddened by the death of this accomplished triathlete and amazing woman. I crashed at Santa Barbara two years ago in Toro Canyon and ended up in the hospital, but much more fortunate than Barbara. I do want to note that the race directors said over and over again prior to this year's race to be careful on the downhills, not "race" the downhills, but "race" the uphills. There were several potholes that were marked with orange paint and most people were obeying the instructions to take it easy on the downhills. I do know there were some athletes who did not heed this advice, but I do not believe this woman was one of them. This is an unfortunate tragedy. None of us can know exactly why these things happen, but it does make us think twice. My condolences go out to those who knew and loved this woman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13171876.post-19436640264069866162008-08-27T18:02:00.000-07:002008-08-27T18:02:00.000-07:00I too, passed her, and couldn't stop for fear of c...I too, passed her, and couldn't stop for fear of crashing myself. Riders did the following that I observed: Passed on the right, threw water bottles on the road instead of off the road, passed crossing the yellow lines, passed in pairs going downhill around 30 miles an hour, almost running me off the road. Potholes every where. I was so shook up, I didn't realize my own speed and barely made the sharp turn at the bottom of the hill. The ambulances passed me, and I could think of nothing else but this poor person, who now had died doing what she loved to do. <BR/><BR/>This was my second year, and I am completley upset with other riders who were only out their for themselves. I wish I had a way of recording the numbers of those people who did not follow the rules. There were far too many. There should be the following changes made to this triathlon.<BR/><BR/>Ride only on roads with no potholes.<BR/>Patrolled with more people, with severe penalties for breaking the rules.<BR/>No passing signs of downhills.<BR/><BR/>I'm not doing the Carp. I need time to think about this. I am so shocked by this awful turn of events. My heart goes out to her husband, family and friends.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13171876.post-38916988762028754552008-08-27T13:12:00.000-07:002008-08-27T13:12:00.000-07:00Barbara is one of the most amazing women I have ev...Barbara is one of the most amazing women I have ever known. There are few people who have touched this world in the way that she has. She left no stone unturned and she loved like no other. If only the world had more Barbaras. On August 26th, 2008, Barbara Warren, beautiful wife, beloved twin, amazing mother, and friend to all, stepped into the presence of her Lord. She will be dearly missed and she was so very loved. Please keep her family in your prayers. And in honor of Barbara, may we all strive to leave a legacy like hers! Blessings, my friends.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13171876.post-38559601228555502402008-08-27T10:08:00.000-07:002008-08-27T10:08:00.000-07:00Lee,While I agree that it was completely an accide...Lee,<BR/><BR/>While I agree that it was completely an accident, I do disagree that it was no more dangerous than any other stretch of road.<BR/><BR/>That road is filled with potholes and edges. I've seen people crash on it in the past. It is far easier to catch an edge or lose control hitting a bump on a big hill than if the road was smooth pavement. <BR/><BR/>It's true we all engage in this sport knowing its risks. Yet I do feel that race organizers have a duty to create as safe an atmosphere as possible. This includes things like outlining potholes with orange spray paint, creating a mandatory speed limit or no pass zone on hills that are incredibly dangerous (as they do in Oceanside 70.3), or simply re-routing if necessary. <BR/><BR/>During the Vineman 70.3 I saw numerous bottles littered across the road through out Westside road because its condition was similar to the road Barbara crashed on. Again, there were far fewer bottles strewn on the other roads that were in better condition. We can generally ride over water bottles, but sometimes people swerve to miss them and end up having an accident because of it. <BR/><BR/>In any case, I certainly don't blame anybody, but I do feel strongly that responsibility needs to be taken when there is a situation that is riskier than usual.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01469099803097245627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13171876.post-6976656594885973602008-08-27T10:00:00.000-07:002008-08-27T10:00:00.000-07:00What happened to Barbara is a terrible tragedy. W...What happened to Barbara is a terrible tragedy. We should all be keeoing her in our thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to her and her family.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunate accidents like this happen when people engage in hazardous sporting activities. The stretch of road on which Ms. Warren crashed is no more dangerous than any other road on any other course. Her crash was a terrible accident but it was just that - an accident. No fault or blame should be directed at the organizers of the event or their decision to use that particular road.<BR/><BR/>I believe my experience allows me to share these toughts. My resume includes participation in, organization of and officiating at triathlons, bike races and running races for 22 years. I have done 4 Ironman races and over 20 Half-Ironman races, as well as numerous shorter triathlon events.<BR/><BR/>Speedy recovery Barbara!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13171876.post-61929570510854509292008-08-27T06:50:00.000-07:002008-08-27T06:50:00.000-07:00Sarah - what a memory to leave with. It is amazin...Sarah - what a memory to leave with. It is amazing how someone can go that long without incident and suffer this kind of tragedy. I will think good thoughts for Barbara.<BR/><BR/>I imagine if the road is anything like Westside Rd on the Vineman course that could definitely be an issue. I am surprised more people don't go down each year.Lee the Cyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05727852719907787069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13171876.post-64333958872353175752008-08-26T22:25:00.000-07:002008-08-26T22:25:00.000-07:00:( So sad to hear this.I was thinking about this ...:( So sad to hear this.<BR/><BR/>I was thinking about this during the weekend and thinking how it always amazes me that with the Pro's (and similiar) out there so much, they manage to avoid accidents in races most of the time. Sad to hear about anyone getting hurt - especially folks with so much experiance.Rainmakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00371545851492880386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13171876.post-75084453472523637322008-08-26T18:50:00.000-07:002008-08-26T18:50:00.000-07:00Hi Sarah, I was looking for info on Barbara and fo...Hi Sarah, I was looking for info on Barbara and found your blog. We're kinda neighbors (I'm in SF) and I just did the SB Tri - my first tri ever! It was a total blast...I took 5:52 (that's with 25 mins of transition time) but I loved it. Lots of room for improvement. I was so far behind in the bike route that I didn't even know this had happened.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13171876.post-90735071747303827782008-08-26T18:03:00.000-07:002008-08-26T18:03:00.000-07:00Oh so sad...I will say some prayers for her!!!Oh so sad...I will say some prayers for her!!!Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13558162448828862579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13171876.post-25821480780445298792008-08-26T18:01:00.000-07:002008-08-26T18:01:00.000-07:00Thanks for posting this. I was looking all over to...Thanks for posting this. I was looking all over to find what happened because it looked so bad when passing by. That road needs to be redone or removed from the course, it is very very very dangerous.<BR/><BR/>This totally could have been prevented.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com