Angel to the Rescue!

So Wednesday night was our last get together as a group BEFORE the big event Sunday morning - somehow it was a little sad!

Since the pool was otherwise occupied with a free pool party (possibly sponsored by the radio station) our group assembled at the Washington (Elementary) School, which is next to Gregg Park. Getting 40 or so cyclists out onto Washington at 5:30 p.m. Vincennes time was a little tricky, but we all eventually got out on the route. It was hot hot hot (my car told me it was 81) and very sticky. Had raised my seat an extra little smidge and seemed to be rolling along pretty well - either that made the difference or I'm actually getting into (better) shape as I didn't seem to be huffing and puffing nearly so much as before! I even 'passed' a lady - didn't want to especially, but I didn't want to be tailgating and didn't figure she wanted me to either!

Imagine my surprise to make the turnaround and discover a severe wind in my face ALL the way back. It certainly hadn't seemed as if there was a wind at my back on the way out (never does!). Even more surprised to arrive back at the school and found I was at 48 minutes (11.1 mph!) for the ride - several minutes off my 'usual' time and a minute short of my personal best (although that was a morning ride when I was 'fresh' and it was significantly cooler and no wind!). My sweetie had come with me to check out camping sites so I opted out of the run as I had gotten dizzy during the ride - I believe this was more to do with paint/sealant fumes at work that had left me with a headache and a little queasy than to do with the ride.

So I was lingering around to help load up the other angels when they got back from the run - 3 were in and we were waiting on #4, who seemed to be taking an unusually long time... Then we started hearing fire/ambulance sirens, then they sounded closer, then they sounded even closer and the 2 instructors who were minding us took off up the road to be sure the sirens weren't for one of the athletes. We were worried about angel #4, but she turned out to be the heroine of the evening!

An older gentleman (possibly with a walker) had fallen (possibly from / on his porch) and a kid on a bike tore up to the angel, said that the man had a heart attack and did she have a cell phone. She didn't have a cell phone - but Tiffany wasn't far behind and she did - so Tiffany called 911 while angel #4, who is CPR trained, hurried over to see if what assistance might be needed. Fortunately, the gentleman did not have a heart attack, but comfort was rendered until help arrived. 2 big fire trucks and an ambulance had gotten there lickety split - comforting to know that much help is on hand if needed! We didn't hang around to see how that episode turned out but took a driving tour of Vincennes University and Kimmel Park before making our way across the river.