Police Harassment - Highland Park, Texas

I must ask myself one question. Why would the Highland Park police department systematically harass morning runners by threatening to give them a ticket for running in the street rather than the sidewalk? Not to mention that "sidewalk" is counter intuitive to running, thus the term sideWALK. I'll get on to that later.

Really, maybe it's motivated by they genuine desire to ensure we (runners) are safe. Maybe somehow they must take the path of least resistance or effort to protect us. Perhaps they are unable to control automobile traffic on their roads. Let's just deal with this scenario for a minute. The crime rate in this most expensive and exclusive township in the Dallas metroplex is virtually non-existent. Yet Highland Park has a police force incapable of enforcing traffic ordinances on their streets despite the fact that they have very little else to do?? If this is the case, then I understand their need to push us up on the sidewalk where we can risk quite a bit more injury to ourselves. I suspect however, that this is not true. I submit testimony of the countless people I know who have been ticketed for exceeding speed limits there by just over 5 miles per hour. Sometimes the fines equal a hefty, monthly car note.

What's another scenario? We've been told that our morning runs are disturbing the morning commute of the citizens of this fair town. Plain and simple, this is horse hockey. Our morning running group runs as early as 5:30 am (usually 6am) and is always finished not later than 7:00am. And we run on the side of the road facing on-coming traffic and obey all traffic lights. BTW running in the road facing traffic is the ordinance of every other township in North Texas including the City of Dallas. This town is simply rich. In fact, it is the 41st wealthiest city in the United States. The median family in Highland Park, TX earns $200,000 annually. The households are made up of successful lawyers, doctors, independent business owners and CEOs. So, acknowledging the pink elephant, I don't anyone fitting these demographics who are required to be anyplace in a hurry at 6am each day. Could it be that the residents are pressed because their servants and gardeners are late in the morning because we runners are impeding their ability to get to work?

Sidewalk running is a joke, but no joke when somebody gets injured. These sidewalks in Highland Park are not evenly paved nor are they level. Since we run in the dark to avoid the Texas heat, we can't see a darn thing on these sidewalks. I know of two runners who have injured themselves from tripping over an obstacle on the sidewalk in HP. And several days during the Texas winter we face freezing conditions on the ground. Many of the HP homeowners somehow feel it is necessary to have GREEN grass throughout the winter and defiantly keep on their sprinkler timers. You know what comes next, a wet sidewalk now becomes an icy one that lies in wait for an unsuspecting, law abiding runner. Side note, I have run in Highland Park for 3 years now and cannot remember a Summer when every lawn was not green. This in the midst of some of our driest seasons in North Texas and still every lawn is green despite the entire Metroplex being under water restrictions. Just pay attention next summer as you go thru this town.

So what is our resolve? I really don't know. We faced this about 18 months ago and changed every route that ran us through that town to get us off their busiest streets. We could lodge a former complaint to the police in the town but, I don't think that really works. I really think this will pass after they earn a couple thousand dollars from writing us citations. It certainly will do us no good to argue with the police officer enforcing some imaginary ordinance that I still have not ever seen. He doesn't care and he's simply following orders or maybe he's going to push his weight around (quite considerable weight, too) for a couple of weeks. We will avoid him and any other HP cop though for the next several weeks until they've had a chance to calm down. Let's face it, this is the most exciting thing that happens in this town, and it makes perfect sense for a bored, under utilized police force to choose such an easy target for sport. The Honorable Mayor would have been good to send about half of the force to Southern California to assist with getting people back in their homes. It really would be a pleasant surprise to learn that the Mayor has done just that. I really doubt it though.

My resolve? No matter what town, no matter how absent minded the laws in that town, never, never stop running.

Great Week to Return to Running

I have had a good week of steady runs. On Monday, just one week after the marathon in Denver, I joined some friends for morning run. It was our regular Monday route. Funny thing is that it rained! I simply laughed at the notion that it would rain on my first day back to running. Considering how much cold rain I ran thru in Denver, coupled with the fact Dallas rarely sees rain. Of course, I went on out with the crew anyway. I started off feeling pretty good. Suddenly, after about 3 miles, my right foot started getting that spooky twinge in the plantar area. "Oh No", I gasped sotto voce, did I start off too fast? Could I possibly be developing Plantar fasciitis in my other foot? That's no good, nope, nope, nope that will never do. I stopped, stretched, walked, and repeated until I felt comfortable enough to get back. I did cut it rather short, only 4.4 miles total (the regular run is about 6 miles).

Walking in the rain again, what a blast.

No worries, Tuesday thru Thursday were fine with no return of the pain in the right foot. I think I just missed a potentially serious injury. I'm still suffering from the itis in my left foot I've had since April. The other foot would have been too much. I probably would have called off my marathon plans for December.

I'm so delighted to be running again.

Denver Marathon - Freakin', Freezin' Rain

What can I say about the Denver Marathon on Sunday, October 14, 2007? A lot of things can be said. Sure there was Gatorade and water every two miles or so and the usual amenities. Bands conspicuously absent, hmmm. Even a water stop at 26 miles…26 miles. I was so strong that I skipped that one. That would prove to be my only strength that day. The rain, the freakin’ freezin’ rain was pouring early on Sunday. We all hoped it would stop soon. In fact, moments before the start, the rain did let up but, we all kept on our plastic bags and Saturn logo ponchos, just in case. Those dang exhibitors, always wanting you to “register to win” a car or something just to get a thin poncho to protect yourself from the freakin’ freezin’ rain. Of course, we swarmed around to fill out the form like Chicago marathoners vying for water.

Eight thousand of us were on hand this day. The Air Force jet fly over was called off due to the poor weather conditions. Was this some indication of what the day would look like? After the National Anthem we went off to the start line. For some unnatural reason I climbed over the barricade to jump into the 3:30 crowd. Funny, I know. But, I was not wanting to make the same mistake I made in San Diego or at Marine Corps, (lining up too far back and fighting through waves of folks holding hands, etc). We started right in front of the State Capital building, adjacent to Civic Center Park. Great venue for a race start and finish. Anyway, as soon as the race started it began to rain again. WTH? That would be the last time there was no rain. Let’s not forget the temperature made it up to only 36 degrees that day. I don’t remember ever been so cold. I was chilled to the bone. By mile14 I remember not being able to even feel my arms. From the shoulders down people, I was completely numb. This would have been an exciting sensation if it had not been for the additional 12.2 miles I had to finish and the freakin’, freezin’ rain.

Enough on my misery, let’s talk more about the race. The route was actually very scenic. It wound through the entire city and passed by the Governor’s Mansion, Coors Field (Where the Colorado Rockies whisked their way into the World Series – on Monday the news was remarkably absent of any marathon day events because the Rockies took over the imagination of every sports fan), and the bizarre Arts Museum. See photo, this place has been known to cause vertigo in some visitors. We ran through City Park, Cheeseman Park, and Washington Park before we headed to the finish back at the Capital building.

Because of the rain I bet there was positively no bands to speak of. Imagine that, me and 8000 other people can run in the freakin’ freezin’ rain but a few bands coward at the notion of getting wet for the benefit of our entertainment. I do faintly remembering one house where there was music playing through some cheap speakers in an open doorway. I chuckled at the conscientious attitude of the Denver spectators. They were not out in full force, but they were all very friendly and supportive. It is what I’ve grown to enjoy. Chicago and New York are notoriously too crowded with fans and Tucson is simply deficient supporters whatsoever. Denver on the other hand, is just right. I imagine there would have been more, conditions permitting.

Don’t think that I have forgotten to mention that Denver is literally a mile high. For us sea level runners this is a pretty big deal. Somehow though, the freakin’, freezin’ rain overshadowed the altitude. Sure, I noticed the insufficient levels of oxygen circulating in my thighs and my lungs burned a bit after mile 18 but, it was no real big deal. I was surprised actually. I thought for certain I’d throw-up by mile 6 but, I was OK.

On the Thursday before the marathon I was in Denver and wow it was so pretty. Warm but not hot, sunny but not too bright. It was perfect.

Fridays are usually perfect for visiting marathon expos and Denver’s was no exception. The web site boasted of the over 100 vendors to expect at the expo. I’d say they were short by 50 as the ball room was pretty small in comparison to a Dallas, Marine Corps or Chicago expo. Somebody could have made a mint on selling those tyvek jackets and pants. What a missed opportunity.

I was blessed to stay with real good friends I’ve known for nearly two decades so I did not have the worries of hotel accommodations or even menus at some quaint, Italian restaurant. Another friend in Denver took me around every place I needed or wanted to go. Therefore, I did not bother with renting a car or concern myself with any transportation issues. Sorry, I have no advice on that. The official hotel was the Adams Mark though, so I’m sure it wasn’t the lowest cost place in town.

This year the Denver Marathon welcomed the disappointed and disenchanted participants of the Chicago Marathon that unceremoniously ended the previous Sunday. Interestingly enough, I met one of these at the Expo on Friday. She didn’t seem too worse for the wear, though I don’t know if she ever finished Denver. Just think about it, one week earlier these poor slobs ran the hottest marathon ever, then the very next week they face the opposite extreme. They just can’t catch a break.

Overall, a great experience. I would certainly recommend this one if you’re a fan of medium sized, fast marathons. It was not hilly at all, I remember two, mild inclines. The finishing 352 yards was a kool, downhill sweep to the tape. On my way to 50 marathons, one in each state – no, I’m not a member of any 50 in 50 club. This was a slightly ignominious marathon completion for me but, 8 down and 42 to go. Never, never, stop running.

My Dear Friends at the Chicago Marathon

Well, that Sunday morning I lay down on my bed with my laptop just in front of me and searched the net for Chicago’s local weather. It was going to be a hot one. I was a little surprised and concerned for all my running buddies who flew in for the run.

So, excited to see everything and anything about the Marathon, I found the CBS site online that was covering the race live. In another window, I opened the marathon site to start the tracking. I must have loaded 15 names to keep up with my buddies with a couple of elite runners to boot.

From the very start the elite were not off very fast. By the end of the first 5k it was clear that no record would be broken this day. I was keeping up with my friends too and was not shocked when even some of my fastest folks fell well off their mark after 20k or 25k. It was not until later that I learned of the tragic death, the insidious riot at the water tables and the thousands of runners who were not allowed to or able to finish. What a disaster!

Since then I have heard that folks are looking to sue the marathon because they weren’t able to complete the race, or something. That’s the most ridiculous thing that has come out of this fiasco. It’s a marathon people. Things go bad. Things go terribly bad. But that is the sport. Better they pull you off the course “kicking and screaming” than they carry you off the course “too proud to speak”.

Now, since all my buddies are deep south runners, they have grown used to the heat and humidity. They all have great experience in these circumstances and simply slowed their paces and opted to finish with modest times. I do feel bad for them though, because they are such great runners and they were counting on the flat, fast course of Chicago to do great things. One friend was a first-time marathoner who will certainly qualify for Boston in the near future – just couldn’t happen this time. Another friend will be running in the U.S. Olympic Trials in April and was going to use Chicago to earn a higher standard before the trials. A married couple friends-of-mine trained so diligently this year. They have two little cute babies that they often had to push in a double stroller during their long runs. They are some warriors for sure. This was not their first marathon but, their second and they were certainly on par to best their times. Yet another friend is a former collegiate distance runner who is known in our crew as one fast chick. She was running Chicago for fun but, wanted to get a faster time before going to Boston next year.

I have not done a great job expressing the emotions of these folks journies to Chicago and there are many more stories to tell, all of them just as touching. One thing is for sure though, they all agree that marathoning is genuinely a challenging sport. For the elite and the middle packers, equally. They all face their demons on the 26.2 mile course. But, none of them have given up their hopes and dreams. That hot day in Chicago did a lot of damage to the sport, to the Chicago marathon committee, and to many runners out there but, it did not break the spirits of my Chicago Marathon friends. They have already returned with renewed goals, plans and agendas all of which include running another marathon. They continue to pursue the perfect one that results in a PR, A-standard for the Olympics or simply the best run of their lives. Never, never stop running.