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Monday, August 25, 2008

Other Runners

I hardly ever see other runners on my routes. I don't know why, really, but for example, this evening for my 4 miler: I didn't pass a single other runner. In fact, the only other pedestrians I passed were two women who were walking together. However, there are a few regular runners in my area that I see with some measure of regularity and they each have their own irregularities.

Two, in particular, stand out.

Runner #1: "The Lady in Black"
This woman usually runs in the morning, so I don't see her very frequently since I rarely rouse myself early enough to get my runs done in the AM, but sometimes I also see her in the evenings. But no matter the time of day, I see her in the same outfit: Black pants and black t-shirt (sometimes it's even a long-sleeved tee!). I can't necessarily determine the fabric of either (it's not like I'm waving her down in order to check the tags), but to be honest, both look like cotton.

So, imagine: It's summer, it's FL, it's hot as hades, and she's running in A.) Pants, B.) Black, C.) Cotton. That combination right there is a recipe for overheating, chafing and discomfort. Yet, her uniform must not bother her much because it never varies -- maybe she's a robot who's immune to high temps and humidity. If so, I envy her.

Runner #2: "The Backwards Runner"
I see this guy every. single. night. of. the. week. He's about 80. Or, around there. I don't know, the elderly are hard in terms of exact age-guessing, but needless to say, he's old. And he wears varied outfits for running, but usually it's a standard pair of running shorts, a t-shirt and a headband.

So his clothing isn't what's odd.

It's his running.

All I ever see him run is east and west down the street that runs in front of our condo complex, but this is the truly strange part: While he's running west, he runs forward, in a normal manner; but, when he turns around and runs east, he, well, doesn't turn around. He just runs backward.

I don't know how far he runs each night, but the street is about .75 of a mile, and he goes back and forth several times -- one way going forward and one way running backward. If this isn't odd enough, he doesn't run on the sidewalk; instead, he runs in the street! Now, in some areas, this may be perfectly safe, but here in South Florida, most drivers would rather run you down than look at you twice, so imagine running backwards down the street, and think about how dangerous that would be!

With both of these runners, I fear for them: I think one will get heat exhaustion and I think the other may wind up as roadkill!

28 comments:

Erin said...

I think we used to pass the backwards runner on our walks. That was super weird.

As for Black, Hot, Cotton...she's one of those insane people asking for heat exhaustion. That's what I think when I see those people in those "sweat" suits made of plastic and the runners that run at high noon. Wait! You ran at noon the other day. Sorry, you are crazy too!

Anonymous said...

People are just weird LOL. The backwards thing is supposed to be good for you, but that certainly sounds like a dangerous way to do it.

I can't imagine running in a black top. I can't wear any color other than white in the summer, unless I'm running in just a running bra (which very seldom happens).

Of course, I'm the weird runner who always has a hat on and wears her fuel belt backwards LOL.

Anonymous said...

that's funny - the backwards one...i have one for you. our next door neighbor walks in this blue striped (think 70s) sweat suit. EVERY DAY.He even wears a scarf. THing is my husband says he's been wearing this for 7 years. To date, he hasn't even lost an ounce. The other day I walked past him and he was making a weird noise when walking- I bet you he was wrapped in saran wrap or that plastic stuff. weird.

E said...

Backwards runner is brave.

Scott McMurtrey said...

The only runner I consistently see is an young guy who lets his shorts droop and wears underwear with crazy designs on the ass.

I like his style.

Aileen said...

I'm excited that bizarre runners exist in other states as well

SavvyFitChica said...

I hope she has multiple outfits that look the same b/c those clothes must smell!

I cleaned the inside of my car today in 99 degree heat in AZ with a cotton t-shirt on. It was the first time I did anything strenuous while wearing cotton in some time.

In other words, that lady is an idiot and must not have ever tried wicking attire b/c if she had, she'd never gone back to cotton.

Anonymous said...

I wonder what the backwards runner philosophy on that is. You should join him one day!

keith said...

Please move before you catch whatever heat induced mental illness those people have.

this has been a public service announcement.

Marcy said...

Hmmmmmmm I was going to say the same thing as MCM Mama, I think backwards running is good . . .for something, I just don't know what :P

Amy said...

I bet the lady in black pees herself when she runs, and the sweaty black hides it well.

And we have a bacdwards runner, too. He's also 80ish. Maybe we'll switch when we're old, too.

:) said...

Nuts. Crazy Floridians....

Jess said...

Ew running in black cotton in florida in the summer...that's just weird

Wes said...

LOL! I wonder if running backwards uses a different muscle group? I might want to try that!!

Aron said...

LOL OMG can you imagine running in full black in cotton - AHHHH!

i think i would just start cracking up and not be able to finsih my run if i saw someone repeating laps going forward and backwards!

Anonymous said...

The 'lady in black' might be prepping herself for an upcoming race that is either very hot, very humid or both. Badwater has come and gone this year, but many of the runners there don all manner of strange (and seemingly inappropriate) running gear to get their bodies acclimatised to enduring extreme heat for long periods of time.

Alternatively, she might just be nuts.

Anonymous said...

And the guy running backwards is probably tied to a long piece of elastic.

Ian said...

Am I the only one here who knows that black is slimming? Obviously you wear black when you run becuase you look skinnier, either that or she's a huge Johnny Cash fan.

J~Mom said...

I always see the same guy out walking. He is the nicest guy and I just really want to ask him why he doesn't try running. :>)

Unknown said...

Hmmm.. maybe the backward runner wants to keep getting tan while going forward and backward in front of the sun. Make sense!!!

MN Mom said...

1. The old guy might be running backwards to work different muscles.
2. Maybe he is vain and can't decide which is his better side-front or back.
3. Or maybe his wife has him on an invisable leash...she lets it out and reels it in?

The woman in black might be Cat Woman.

Stuart said...

Do you think the woman in black is a mourning runner???

Unknown said...

They both sound a bit odd to me!

Michelle said...

Ok so the woman i run with, at the very end of her run, she turns around to run backwards. Somehow, i never question her as to why she does this, i just think its normal. If she didn't do it i would wonder!!! If i tried running backwards i would immediately be on my ass on the floor!! I'm spas that way!!

As for runner in black, i go with the slimming effect too!! Cotton, no no no!!!

M

L*I*S*A said...

I know for certain that if I attempted backward running, I would hurt myself badly.

Amazing how certain peeps stand out.

Viv said...

HAHAHAHA I have a backwards runner in my hood who is almost 70 as well. In SoFlo it is even dangerous to walk forward without being road kill.

sRod said...

They sound like gym carnies to me.

Lily on the Road said...

Odd, very odd on both counts. Let me know if you ever check the tags and sdrawkcabnur with old dude!