A RUN OF GOOD LUCK NEAR-FATAL ACCIDENT DIDN'T SLOW DOWN FIRE CAPTAIN.Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer NEWBURY PARK - Seventy-five miles later, Jack Nosco could run no more. The fact that he could run 75 feet, let alone still be alive, was nothing short of a miracle. Seven weeks after suffering a 1988 near-fatal motorcycle accident, the Newbury Park fire captain competed in a grueling, 100-mile race that traverses the San Gabriel Mountains San Gabriel Mountains, S Calif., E and NE of Los Angeles, running c.50 mi (80 km) westward from Cajon Pass. San Antonio Peak (10,080 ft/3,072 m) is the highest of the range. Citrus fruits are raised on the southern foothills. from Wrightwood to Pasadena. Nosco completed three-quarters of the course but couldn't get beyond the final 25-mile climb of Mount Wilson. That didn't matter. ``I was able to at least run 75 miles,'' said Nosco, who will run in Sunday's L.A. Marathon for the 15th consecutive year. ``After that I said, `There's nothing I can't do.' '' Especially considering his near-death experience near-death experience, phenomenon reported by some people who have been clinically dead, then returned to life. Descriptions of the experience differ slightly in detail from person to person, but usually share some basic elements: a feeling of being outside one's on Aug. 12, 1988. After visiting a friend in San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. , Nosco was driving home on the 5 Freeway near Encinitas when a car changed lanes right into his Ninja bike. ``I think I broke my shoulder when I hit his car door. Then he panicked, turned right and I slid 150 feet,'' said Nosco, reminding that his accident happened during the height of the morning commute. ``At nine in the morning on the I-5 I can't believe I didn't get run over,'' Nosco said. ``I came to a stop right into the center divider divider See European currency quotation. and kind of opened my eyes. I went `Oh yeah, I'm still alive.' I wiggled my toes. `I'm not paralyzed par·a·lyze tr.v. par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing, par·a·lyz·es 1. To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic. 2. To make unable to move or act: paralyzed by fear. .' And then the pain set in.'' His injuries included the broken shoulder, broken foot, broken hand and road rash road rash Emergency medicine Deep skin abrasions caused by falling on and scraping skin on asphalt, which may affect bike riders, skateboarders, MVA victims and others throughout his body. Nosco was ``hammered.'' But here he was, after a week in the hospital and six more recuperating at home, almost completing his 100-mile run through the wilderness. The 26.2-mile marathon course would seem to be a Sunday jog, though even Nosco admits it's hardly an easy day. Until he pursued a career as a firefighter, the 37-year-old Nosco had little passion for running. ``I knew I needed to get into shape,'' a 16-year veteran of Ventura County fire departments Not to be confused with Ventura Fire Department. The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) provides fire protection and emergency response services for the unincorporated areas of Ventura County, California, and for six other cities within the county. . Having run in each of the first 14 L.A. Marathons, Nosco has vowed to participate in 25 consecutive races. When he reaches 25, his hope that his daughter Rachel can join him on the course. She'll be turning 18 then. ``It's just such a relief. You think `OK, I've got another one down,' '' Nosco said. Nosco's commitment to reaching the 25 plateau has been filtered to his fellow firefighters. Over the years, he's convinced a dozen colleagues to run the marathon. Asking anyone to run 26.2 miles in a day is a tough sell. But the challenge can be enticing. ``I think I have the ability to talk people into doing a lot of things they wouldn't do otherwise,'' Nosco said. ``I just use this as something to inspire them. That once they do that, `Oh yeah, I can do other things.' '' Come Sunday, when Nosco and five or six fellow firefighters cross the finish line, they'll gather at the Sagebrush sagebrush, name for several species of Artemisia, deciduous shrubs of the family Asteraceae (aster family), particularly abundant in arid regions of W North America. The common sagebrush (A. Cantina can·ti·na n. Southwestern U.S. A bar that serves liquor. [Spanish, canteen, from Italian, wine cellar.] in Calabasas, ``wear our medals, drink beer and eat food. It's really rewarding.'' Nosco hasn't climbed on a motorcycle since his accident and doesn't plan to ride again. He does keep the scuffed-up helmet in the garage as a reminder. ``After that I realized I'm a lucky man and I don't take anything for granted. I have a great wife and two kids,'' Nosco said. ``Life is just awesome.'' L.A. MARATHON When: Sunday, 8:20 a.m. starting time Noun 1. starting time - the time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got an early start"; "she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her" commencement, get-go, offset, outset, showtime, start, kickoff, beginning, first Distance: 26.2 miles Start: Sixth and Figueroa Finish: Fifth and Flower CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Newbury Park fire captain Jack Nosco, who was nearly killed in a 1988 motorcycle accident, has run in every L.A. Marathon and will keep the streak alive Sunday. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer Box: L.A. MARATHON (see text) |
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