Back Among the Regulars

Amid the strong smell of mustard at the big turn before the final straightaway, it occurred to me that I haven't run on such crowded terrain since last year's Akron Marathon. And seriously, why did it smell like mustard?

Sand Run park has been one of my regular running haunts since I first started running. The crushed limestone multipurpose path provides a convenient venue for training, with its smooth crushed limestone surface, well-marked half-miles (although recently discovered to be mismeasured ... stupid GPS), and challenging but not killer rolling hills.

However, lately I've been using the park's rough hiking trails for my runs. I can't remember the last time I ran on the more populated path, as I did yesterday.

There were some familiar faces, such as the overdressed guy with the awful posture and the guy who resembles a pre-steroids era Mark McGwire.

Looking back, I realize I exercised some poor running etiquette. I forgot to announce the times I passed people from behind (an old pet peeve) and I passed two fellow runners just before I hit my turnaround point (I could have waited). It seems I've misplaced my manners.

But then again, I was also reminded of how snooty these people are. They looked at me as if I were the Unibomber anytime I waved or nodded or said "hello." On the trails, my greetings are never so thoroughly rebuffed. Don't you people know we're part of a community?

Back on that final stretch, I could feel my quads burning as I chugged up the final slow-rising hill. Looking at my watch phone at the end, I noted a new fastest pace of the year, but also the errant mile markers. My final pace was 9:13 per mile, but my supposed three-miler turned out to be 2.93 miles after looping around the parking lot in the attempt to make up for the missing distance. Oh, for the days when ignorance was bliss ...

Happy Leap Day, teammates.