Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Get off the Soapbox!




I went to Veteran's Park to do the Hamilton Hangover 5 mile course.

The park was loaded with workers getting it ready for the concert & fireworks scheduled for the 3rd.

Well, it was a pretty uneventful run, that was until I hit the 4mile mark ,and headed into the woods. This is the same woods, that I ran in the Fab Feat 5k, on Sunday.

Now for those who have never been to the park, I'll try and explain this short, say 1/4 mile wooded, hilly path. It's about 10 feet wide, paved asphalt. Wide enough for runners, walkers & bikers to share and pass comfortably. It can fit a car/truck, alone. I know the township plows & sands this path during the winter.

Well, I guess I was about 1/2 way thru this part, and I heard a car coming up from behind. Very odd for a park, but I just figured it was the township workers. WRONG! It was the POLICE.
The cop couldn't wait another minute, for me to finish the woods, get to the top, where the area opens up, and connects with another path to the lake. Nope this cop had to lay on his horn, making me to stop running, get off the path into the woods a bit, and allow him to pass. He took off like he was driving a NASCAR road course. He wasn't headed to any "emergency". His lights weren't on, he was just in a rush, using his "power", to get from point A to point B quicker.
A township pick-up also had to move for this guy. I think his actions where unacceptable. He could have allowed me to get to the top, where he would have had plenty of room to pass me, I had maybe 20 seconds until the hill was over. I had a biker pass me the opposite way, after the cop went by, and he just shook his head at me, because he also had to move.

OK, since I'm on my soapbox.. people who walk their dogs, need to keep their dogs a bit closer to them, when other people are around. Whenever I walk my dogs, if I am passing folks out for a stroll, I will shorten their leash, until they pass. Not the owners of the dogs out for a walk today in the park.

I'm a dog lover, but I don't need dogs nipping at my ankles, as I run by.

Alright enough of the complaining.. I ran the 5miles in 42:50 (8:34/mile). I felt good, and that's the most important part.








4 comments:

ncrunner12 said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and adding it to your list.

Great run, I'm like to think of myself as a bit of a hard ass when it comes to cars and being a runner... I don't stop. A cop is another story, but the jack hole was in the wrong.

Unknown said...

ROFLMAO... you don't like when dog nibble your ankle. LOLLL !!! I get the drift. Wow - WTF with the cop story! Unbelievable !!! Great post !

BeachRunner said...

Nice run, in spite of the inconsiderate cop and dog owners. I agree with you, but don't let selfish dorks take away from your running mojo. Have a great holiday.

Erin Leigh said...

Seriously, that was a bit nervy. I think I would have kicked the car or something.

Glad you got the run in though!!!