Running on the STREET?
Now, as most of you know, up until I moved ITP (Inside the Perimeter) of ATL (Atlanta), I was running on a treadmill and getting an eyeful of gym crush every morning at 5 am (Oh boy how I miss him so. Seriously. If I could get a new job that paid lots I would drive 30 minutes in the morning to work out just to see a glimpse of him). Anyway, since moving, I have had to move my runs outdoors. And I have noticed an alarming trend. Or maybe just alarming to me.
You tell me.
This morning is really what got me thinking on this though I have noticed it over the last few weeks a number of times and given it a passing thought along my route. You see, this morning, on the other side of a SIX (6) lane road, I spotted a woman dressed in black from the top of her head (hat) to the tips of her toes (shoes) and everything between (tights and tank top). Now aside from the fact that homegirl had a BANGING body, I thought to myself...
It cannot be safe to be running on Peachtree Road in Buckhead at 5 am wearing all black in the street going against traffic. (Sounds like the old line my dad uses "...walked uphill both ways barefoot in the snow in june with my brother on my back carrying my books....")
I know, it's 5 am. I know, traffic is lighter at this time. But can we be serious for a moment? THAT SHIT IS DANGEROUS and I WOULD HATE TO SEE HOMEGIRL GET HIT (though secretly I would think let that be a lesson to you, my friend). There are sidewalks in Atlanta. In fact, I was running on one on the other side of the road so I know they are there to be used.
My question is, why are so many runners out pounding the pavement literally in the street when there are sidewalks? I see this at all hours of the day. Some run with traffic, some against it. But I'm not getting it. Are they trying to replicate what a race feels like by running in the streets they would race on? Is there something wrong with the sidewalks that I'm too dense to notice? Is this what real runners do while pansy runners like myself plod along the sidewalk?
