Monday afternoon I was out for a standard recovery jog... a few hills, a little single track... but mainly flat and paved with many cars around. I enjoy solitude for its... well solitude; but there is something to say for urban running as well. You have your Ipod- I have my vehicular traffic. So don't judge me on this one!
I was plodding along- nursing a tight calf. Stopping when needed to stretch it out and soak in the trees, the grass, the uncombusted fumes. All good things. I made the final right turn in my run and was headed into those last 20 minutes of the effort when I joined the main section of heavy traffic. Sidewalk running at its best.
It was required in the interest of my personal safety to check over my left shoulder for turning vehicles at every retail location entrance. They could be coming or going or crossing and I was set on not adding to their point totals. On a normal day I would just zip through with darting deftness, avoiding being on the business end of a bumper. But Monday I was feeling particularly at ease with taking breaks. This led to my yielding the terrain to the cars attempting to occupy my running space.
As I approached the Staples location I saw a young lass in the turning lane headed toward me. She was stopped and waiting for her moment so I stopped so as to not interfere with her moment. One opposing lane was stopped for her to make this move, the other was 'clear'. She hit the gas and sped across one lane- only to discover that another car was now in lane #2. This driver did not see her and was speeding. I imagine they saw each other at about the same point. At that point, they each hit their brakes- HARD.
She was soon sitting, stopped... in the middle of lane #2. He was screeching to a... well not stop exactly- but screeching to a slow-er. Then, he thumped into her. CRUNCH!!!
Now, because I yielded the way not only did this accident potentially occur... maybe, or not??? but more importantly (everyone was okay)... I am now a witness to the wreck and am standing there in sweat-soaked running garb. Soon enough I was down the road again- just another adventure in a series of steps. You never know what will happen in an hour on the roads!
I am left wondering how many points a runner gets for contributing to this type of door bender? Certainly there is an art to it...
Showing posts with label sights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sights. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Gators and Snakes and Bears Oh My!
Christina over at Lazy Bones just posted about interesting things she has seen while running. This obviously lead me to recall some of my highlights on the trail and roads. While I enjoy being alongside a river and the peaceful wisps of a spring day, and let's not forget the now distant (hopefully for now) tracks in freshly fallen snow... I do welcome the chance encounters with wildlife. These times stick out in my mind.
Florida, Gulf Coast
In 2004 I while on the outskirts of Hurlburt Field in Florida I had an action packed run. First I came across a small coral snake in the trail. With great caution I hopped around the little fella. it was a HOT and dry day out in the grassy area about 5 miles north of the Gulf Coast. Thinking "that was neat" I moved down the trail. Within two miles I came across another creature. This time... a rattlesnake. I DID NOT see this guy though. He sat at the edge of a puddle in the trail and as I leaped over the water, the startled reptile leaped at me, actually striking at my heel. I was fortunate and he missed and I did not stick around to work things out with him. We agreed to disagree.
So on I went down the trail. Not another mile passed when I turned left and came across a large animal in the trail. This time, a baby alligator. Only about 3.5 feet long but the northerner in me thinks this is exactly long enough for such a creature. I grabbed a long stick and tried to urge him out of the trail but he just laid there hissing at me. Eventually I figured he just wanted to lay there and have me leave so I move at a wide birth around the lazy dude. Soon it was time to make my turnaround. I was a bit apprehensive about trekking through the gauntlet again. But things are always new on the return trip and this was no exception. All creatures had gone on their way and the second half was much less eventful and I was grateful.
Colorado, 2006
While running Heflin Creek Trail outside Durango I had a bit of a surprise. I was returning home from 14 miles up the 'backside' of Missionary Ridge. The trail required a steep ascent from the creek bed to return to the front porch of the cabin. As I reached the crest of the climb I slowed to take in the sunset to the west. Just as I reached the resting point I came upon a small black bear. He was startled and bolted away. Initially we were no more than 10 feet from one another. From a safe distance we studied each other and eventually wandered our separate ways.
New River St Park, NC 2009
One of the strangest things I have witnessed was just last fall. This nighttime run on the trails required a headlamp and occasionally I was noticing a sparkle in the trail. After seeing this a time or two I stopped to investigate this glimmering diamond phenomena. Looking closely I saw that I was seeing a good sized spider. So, curiosity satisfied I moved on. As the trail took me further in and the night took a firmer hold these spiders became more active. The result in grassy meadows was one of a vast sky of stars at my feet. Just as the night sky was glittering its beauty, the spiders were shimmering in the glow of my headlamp. It was such a surreal setting to get in a leisurely night on the trails.
Florida, Gulf Coast
In 2004 I while on the outskirts of Hurlburt Field in Florida I had an action packed run. First I came across a small coral snake in the trail. With great caution I hopped around the little fella. it was a HOT and dry day out in the grassy area about 5 miles north of the Gulf Coast. Thinking "that was neat" I moved down the trail. Within two miles I came across another creature. This time... a rattlesnake. I DID NOT see this guy though. He sat at the edge of a puddle in the trail and as I leaped over the water, the startled reptile leaped at me, actually striking at my heel. I was fortunate and he missed and I did not stick around to work things out with him. We agreed to disagree.
So on I went down the trail. Not another mile passed when I turned left and came across a large animal in the trail. This time, a baby alligator. Only about 3.5 feet long but the northerner in me thinks this is exactly long enough for such a creature. I grabbed a long stick and tried to urge him out of the trail but he just laid there hissing at me. Eventually I figured he just wanted to lay there and have me leave so I move at a wide birth around the lazy dude. Soon it was time to make my turnaround. I was a bit apprehensive about trekking through the gauntlet again. But things are always new on the return trip and this was no exception. All creatures had gone on their way and the second half was much less eventful and I was grateful.
Colorado, 2006
While running Heflin Creek Trail outside Durango I had a bit of a surprise. I was returning home from 14 miles up the 'backside' of Missionary Ridge. The trail required a steep ascent from the creek bed to return to the front porch of the cabin. As I reached the crest of the climb I slowed to take in the sunset to the west. Just as I reached the resting point I came upon a small black bear. He was startled and bolted away. Initially we were no more than 10 feet from one another. From a safe distance we studied each other and eventually wandered our separate ways.
New River St Park, NC 2009
One of the strangest things I have witnessed was just last fall. This nighttime run on the trails required a headlamp and occasionally I was noticing a sparkle in the trail. After seeing this a time or two I stopped to investigate this glimmering diamond phenomena. Looking closely I saw that I was seeing a good sized spider. So, curiosity satisfied I moved on. As the trail took me further in and the night took a firmer hold these spiders became more active. The result in grassy meadows was one of a vast sky of stars at my feet. Just as the night sky was glittering its beauty, the spiders were shimmering in the glow of my headlamp. It was such a surreal setting to get in a leisurely night on the trails.
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