Training: July 22, 2007

Today I ran 10 miles. I was excited because I have now broken into the double digits in terms of mileage, and I also felt really good the entire run. I think it took me about 1 hour 20 minutes (I don't know for sure because I don't run with a watch--it makes me hysterical and the run a little less fun, although I will probably start using one every now and then, just to push myself), so holding 8 minute miles for a training run is good, for me anyway.

Toward the end of my run, however, I was put in a dark mood. At mile 8 all of a sudden I hear this "whoa, whoa" behind me. My subconscious brain said to me "There is a biker behind you and he is about to run you over"...so I took a quick step to the right and narrowly avoided being bike roadkill. It was a little less dramatic than it sounds, but I was annoyed because 1) I almost suffered bodily harm and 2) why can't people realize that they aren't the only ones on the path? This gentleman (I'll be kind) was biking and jabbering his mouth off to the buddy with whom he was riding and neglected to pay attention to a small detail--the path in front of him. And more specifically, me running on the path in front of him. I'd say he at least had the presence of mind to make some noise so I knew he was behind me, but clearly he was just freaked out and that was what I heard. Hey, if I'm in your way, I'm all for stepping aside--bikes are faster than legs and it's easier to take a step to the side than to navigate a bike around someone. But warning would be nice.

To expunge my dark mood (actually, I felt better once I got home and went to church, but I'm sort of getting myself worked up again thinking about it), I'm going to list some Lakefront Path etiquette that would be nice for people to mind:

1) Watch where you're going. The world doesn't actually revolve around you, so don't expect that everyone will magically move out of your way (FYI: I need to remind myself of this more than I care to admit, too).
2) Stay on the right side of the path. The reason elementary schools tell kids to walk on the right side of the hall is so that they get used to being on the right side (for driving, for instance) for the rest of their lives.
3) If you need to cross the path (for instance, to get from a parking lot to the beach), look both ways before stepping onto it! The path is probably more dangerous than most major roads.
3b) This goes double for your kids. Please watch them, keep them in line, and remind them that the path is not a place for them to play.
4) If you are going to go for a run, please leave your Starbucks coffee at home. You wouldn't believe how many people I see doing this. Drinking a diuretic while you are running--ok, these people are mostly just walking kinda on the faster side, but they have better running gear on than I do--is not a good idea. Though caffeine may reduce muscle soreness after strenuous exercise . But the key word is AFTER (and "may." The study is probably too small to be meaningful).
5) If someone waves at you, or says good morning, be polite and at least nod your head in acknowledgement. The world's not all bad, is it?

Oh, my righteous indignation! Hey, the world's not perfect and I realize that everyone has their days. And I can do better with #1-5 myself. But if everyone just put forth a little more effort...ya know?

OK. I feel way better now.