Met Janya at 6 a.m. for a run. The short, four miles felt like fourteen. The route we took today was a basic rectangle of street with a soundscape of morning traffic. Nice huh? Not our favorite route, but we have to switch it up periodically. I've found that when you're running, walking, cycling, or otherwise not driving, drivers can be funny. Sometimes mean, but mostly funny. By funny, I mean the people who drive by and crane their necks to watch us run. Sometimes, when I am driving, I catch myself doing this too, craning to see the runner, walker, cyclist, or the person just standing there waiting at the bus stop. I have no idea why I do this. There's a slim chance I would actually know the person. It's probably some human nature thing -- curiosity built within. Although I admit to craning, one thing I can honestly say that I don't do and have never done is honk, hoot, or scream obscenities at complete strangers as I whiz by them. Now that is just completely ridiculous, in my opinion of course.
Which reminds me of when Rich and I were running around Lake Harriman last year (Yes, this is the actual name of the Lake -- Lake "Harry Man") and we heard someone yell "faggots!" as a car filled with teenagers careened past us.
"Did that car just yell 'faggots' at us?" I asked as I glanced out of the corner of my eye, dumbfounded at Rich. He responded with a matter-of-fact "yep," which made me double over with laughter. Obviously, I don't find slurs funny, but in this situation the intense bravado that overtakes some individuals once they get behind a wheel made me laugh. Then I thought how my reaction was probably the complete opposite effect the carload wanted to have over us, so I laughed harder and waved.
Rich taught me the wave. He's an avid cyclist and a very good one to boot. He could fill a book with personal experiences of driver misbehaviors from when he's been on the road. "When they try and piss you off, just smile and wave like you know 'em," he told me once. Okay, I get it. It's sort of like the "kill them with kindness" theory -- and I like it. Plus, they are in a car and you are the extreme underdog. So, now I just smile, wave, and mutter "asshole" under my breath.
Also, great to hear from SLP and Jeremy. Thanks for the comments! Off to San Francisco... .
3 comments:
WHAT is it about teens in cars screaming "Faggot!" On 2 separate occasions while I still lived in Englehood, I was walking my dogs and these cars would speed past me chock full of teen idiots and yell that at me out the window. SLP was actually with me one time and it took us both by such complete surprise, we just stopped and looked at each other and started howling with laughter. Who does that?
I hope SLP is really GLP ? Did this come from our conversation on cyclists ?
I used to run cross country and track in high school and we'd be out running around the city almost every day. You don't know how many times I've heard that while out running! I don't get it either but you just gotta laugh at it or wave...Rich has the right idea. Anyway, every time I read you blog it's about running so it gives me motivation. I've been running only about 2 or 3 days a week but trying to work my way up to 5 times weekly. TTYL "beanhouser"...
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