Political Correction Disclaimer: Do people who ride bikes like to be called bikers or cyclists? Please, someone enlighten me. I fear that when I use one of the terms, that I'm calling someone the equilivalent of a jogger. Because I don't know the proper terminology, I'm just going to use the two terms interchangably throughout this post.
It's no secret. There tends to be a general animosity between cyclists and runners. Whether you like to admit or not, if you're a cyclist, you have some built up hatred for runners and if you're a runner, there's some pent up rage for the cyclists. In a perfect world, we like to think that we all get along as "road warriors," afterall, we should be kindred spirits... we love getting outside, enjoying nature, breathing in the fresh air, pushing our bodies, getting fit, and dodging shitty drivers that are constantly trying to take us out one by one.
But, a perfect world this is not.
To preface this, I have to say: I am envious of bikers. I admit that whole-heartedly. I'm a little resentful in the fact that I don't have the extra time or the extra income
or the ass muscles to withstand hours on a bike to embark on a new hobby: cycling. I have full faith that I one day will, though. I do intend to at least dabble in the biking and possibly triathlon pool at some point in the next 5 years or so. But for now... I'm just jealous of the sleek bikes that they get to ride and the fact that they have bigger pockets in their apparel for nutrition and a holder for their water bottles on their bike!
I've always been friendly to bikers. Even if they're riding on the sidewalk and come barrelling through, expecting me to get over, while they take up the entire freaking sidewalk. I still generally say "hey" to them and give them a wave. Only about 40% of them say "hey" back. Bastards.
A couple of weeks ago, I was running with my friend C down Belmont Boulevard, which has designated bike lanes, along with on-street parking. Now, we were running at about 5:15 in the morning. It was dark. And we hadn't met a car yet. It was very quiet out. We decided to run in the parking lane (opposing traffic, of course), because the streets are lit and the sidewalks are not and we all know my proclivity to falling. It's a no brainer.
Now, there are some spots along Belmont where there are lots and lots of cars parked in the parking lane. So, when we encounter those spots, we swing out into the bike lane a little, but always head back to the parking lane as soon as we can.
We're running, talking about god knows what, and all the sudden I feel C grab my arm and pull me to the side, closer to her. And then as a bike whizzes past me I hear a girl in a super bitchy tone say, "SHARE THE LANE."
"Whoa". I said. "I didn't even see her!" And there's a good reason for that... because it's 5:15 am and pitch black and she didn't have a light on the front of her bike. I immediately got pissed at her bitchy tone. SURE, I was in the bike lane a little, there were cars in the parking lane. So, yeah, technically I was in the wrong. My bad. But dude... it's 5:15 in the morning. There were no cars out. There was still plenty of room for you in the bike lane. Bitch.
It really pissed me off that she took such a bitchy tone with us. How many times have bikers ran me off the damn sidewalk and do I ever shout SHARE THE SIDEWALK to them??? No. I get over and let them go on their merry-freaking-way.
Then, this past weekend, April and I were running along a greenway and there were tons of bikes out. We seriously heard "On your left" about a zillion times. Which is fine. I'm all about the warning! Nothing freaks me out more than to have a biker sneak up behind you like a ninja. A lot of them were even being friendly and saying "hello" back!
Until about 6 miles in... "On your left" we heard. We scooted over to the right and the biker passed, we stayed to the right and about 10 seconds later we heard... "On your right" and 1 second later some chick flew past us on the right, I started to move over to the left confused as to why she was passing on the right, when we were hugging the right side already, when her cycling partner whizzed past us on the left. WTF?
Now this area of greenway is VERY wide. Plenty of room for her and her biking buddy to both pass us on the left with no problem. Even if they wanted to both pass on the right... okay, it would have annoyed me, but I would have gotten over it. But to SPLIT us and announce that you're coming on the right, when in fact you're coming on both sides???? Not cool, my friend. Not cool.
I feel like cyclists don't generally respect or like runners and vice versa. And it's a shame, because there truly is room for all of us. Bikers, can't we come together... and be friends? Sometimes us runners are wrong and sometimes you cyclists are wrong. It happens. Neither of us are perfect. Let's make a pact to be friendlier to each other.
Afterall, it's the walkers with unleashed/long leashed dogs we should all be hating.
Normally, I'm not one to get all hyped up about Jackets, etc... But... Dude... check out this description... "Waterproof fabric activates and creates a barrier when outside elements touch the surface allowing excess heat and moisture to escape..." Ummm... Doesn't that sound like super hero-y and such? I mean... I didn't know fabrics could "activate." Crazy.
Speaking of superheroes... Check those bad boys out. I'd be all bad ass and spiderwoman-y in those. And aside from a purely aesthetic standpoint, they supposedly compress you in anatomically correct places (ha ha, get your mind out of the gutter)... like certain muscles and joints, etc to help with the pounding and the recovery (okay, again... mind out of the gutter). Who knows, it could be complete horse-shit... but at least you'd look cool.
When it comes to my feet... only the best will do. And the best for me and my gait and foot is the ASICS Gel Nimbus. I love these shoes. (And these I DO buy myself... but LOVE having someone else buy them for me).
Besides the fact that I'd be stylin' and profilin' in these kick ass running shorts... they also have a key pocket AND a rear holster velcro pocket. And really... who doesn't need two pockets??
2. A new windbreaker. Preferably one with lots of zipper pockets. My current running jacket is great cause it has so many pockets, but it just doesn't breathe. I feel like I'm in a sauna when I wear it. I'd also like one that helps me not get run over in the dark...again, trying to reduce injury in 2009. 
3. Running tights. Any kind will do, thank you.
4. Nike's hatphones. These are cool and I love running gadgets. Plus, a stocking cap and headphones are often uncomfortable...and add sunglasses? Nope. That equals no music on my run. Hatphones would solve the problem. 
5. An injury-free 2009. Healthy, strong legs are much desired. 
Just 5 little things...that's not so much to ask is it Santa? I didn't think so. But in all seriousness, I'm so very grateful for what I have. It's been a tough year, but all in all, I have much to be thankful for. I'm looking forward to a great 2009! Merry Christmas everyone!!!
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