My Friend Dave - Running Safety

With the Giants winning an exciting championship game against the 49ers and headed to another Superbowl against the Patriots, my thoughts turned to one of my best friends Dave Rothbloom.

Dave was the biggest Giants fan in the world, one of his many passions.  He was from NJ and I being from Philly would naturally talk sports and bust each others chops about the games and our teams. The Giants are very successful having won several championships while the Eagles fans continue to wallow in futility. He would come to the office after a game and ramble on about "Big Blue" this and "Big Blue" that and I sat there and took it with a big smile on my face. That was 10 years ago and I remember the times we spent together as some of the best times and I treasure his friendship.

Dave passed away in his early 30's while he was out running one snowy morning several years back.  He was a marathoner that would run 50 miles per week and was out on the road constantly. The snow was falling that day and the driver never saw Dave. I got the call that he was hit by a car and in the hospital, thinking he just broke a leg, I just shook my head and then the words came, "Tom, Dave is in really bad shape we don't know if he's going to make it".  Before I could get in the car and go the hospital two hours away, I got the news that Dave was gone. I stood looking out the window in disbelief not knowing what to feel or what to do. I was stunned and I stood there and just sobbed. I cried for Dave and his lovely wife and two young children, and I cried for selfish reasons too, I just lost my best buddy.

What was so ironic, is that he was a fitness and health NUT! He would eat only the healthiest foods. He was considered heavy for marathon racing, so he changed his diet, and dropped 20 pounds to improve his times.   He had a passion for running and would run and train daily. He inspired me and others to start running and to  train and eat better. I'm happy to say that I completed a marathon because of Dave, something I thought I could never do. You know how men are, especially friends, they rarely express their emotions. I never told Dave how much I loved him, how much he meant to me, and how much I miss him.

In honor of my friend Dave, please be careful when running or biking on the road especially in today's world of texting and distracted driving. Better to go to a track or train off road. And more importantly tell everyone in your life how important they are to you and how much you love and appreciate them. You never know when you'll get the chance again.

Dave once said, "Tom if you knew what went into a hot dog, you would never eat it".  In memory of him I have not had a hot dog in over 15 years. As the Giants and Patriots prepare for the superbowl, I think of Dave smiling down from heaven at me and saying "Go Big Blue"

All the Best,

Coach K
Tom Kaufmann