Hm didn't realize my post was a "rant".
Think about other depressed runners who see Cas's post and then see this thread. I know other professional and semi-pro runners with depression and I hope they don't click on it.
The internet really does suck sometimes.
Different situation obviously, but did anyone hear about the TWELVE year old girl that killed herself because of cyber bullies? TWELVE. Mind blowing and sad.
Depression takes too many young people. I remember Jason Walton (NJ runner) who was beating Robby Andrews in most events before throwing himself in front a train the summer before his senior year in high school. That was the first funeral I ever went to and it has stuck with me ever since. His mom could hardly walk she was crying so hard the whole time. Maybe if he had read about other people working through and going public with their depression, he could have reached out for help. I did not know him well and don't want to presume to know the whole situation but even years later, it makes me sad to think about.
Maybe nothing was stopping Jason but I'd like to hope the next runner who thinks about stepping in front of a train or jumping off a Philadelphia parking garage, can think twice and reach out for help and support.