Thursday, February 26, 2009

Tip Toe Through the Tempo

Despite the warmer temperatures yesterday, the Sand Run path was still an ice flow. Martini and I took about 42 strides before ditching the path for the road, which was only treacherous in that it was dark, we weren't wearing reflective gear, and the road is narrow and winding. Those allergic to death by car impact would not have enjoyed this run.

Because our footwear was actually suited for this kind of surface, Martini and I galloped at a comparatively lightning pace: 8:40 per mile when it was all said and done. We made mean faces at the oncoming cars to let them know we meant business and that we were not just two morons playing in traffic, which we actually were.

Sand Run Metro Park gets its name from Sand Run creek, a tributary of the Cuyahoga River. Sand Run crosses Sand Run Parkway. This ford is exciting to splash through in a car, but poses a problem for those on foot. (The park path has like a bridge over this troubled water.)

During the Akron Marathon there is a temporary bridge placed over the ford for runners to cross. All that Martini and I get is a series of wet stones to step on and pray that our shoes don't slip. This is especially challenging when it is also nighttime. A mid-run bath is not desirable when the temperature -- relatively warm though it was -- is dropping.

Running sounds so much more exciting when there is threat of death or hypothermia.

11 comments:

lifestudent said...

As a slow, clumsy, unwilling runner, I find my only entertainment in the fact that my paths are often boobie trapped with snow, ice, puddles and pit-bulls. If I return home unscathed, at least at the end of the run I feel like I accomplished something.

Aileen said...

Sand Run's pretty awesome by all creek standards. I wish I'd been a runner when I was going to KSU, that way I could have actually enjoyed a run there, as opposed to a few drunken brawls. True story.

Unknown said...

"death or hypothermia" That is great motivation for going out for a run. Much better then my excuse to just sweat.

tfh said...

How do you know if you're allergic to death by car impact?

Ian said...

We still have fords in this country?

Vava said...

Ludicrous speed - GO!!!

I feel like my brains are going into my feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet...

C said...

Damn it, you've edited your post already. Google Reader still preserves your 'Sand Run cream cross Sand Run Parkway' wording. No question what was on your mind while writing this.

X-Country2 said...

I'd have been road kill about 5 minutes into that run.

Sun Runner said...

I think you mean "ice floe." Or not, depending on the actual state of the path. Was it glacial in nature, or merely iceberg-like? Remember, I'm a geologist, so these things MATTER, dammit!

And why is it that you posted this at like 11:45 but it only just now appeared in my Google Reader? I could have commented four hours ago and instead my afternoon was one long boring drag...(but I did eat cookies).

Carolina John said...

Viper, you vs car would leave the kind of road stain that random small woodland creatures would get drunk on. So i think you should now avoid night running as a service to animals. do it for the racoons, man!

Spike said...

great pace. you took night running to an entirely new level of dangerousness, I just cower on the sidewalks. I am humbled.