Idiot Drivers

I've been pondering this post for a few days, ever since my run Saturday night. I've also debated the title of the post, either "Idiot Drivers", "Safety and Running", or "Why I Avoid Roads and Stick to Trails". I chose the former since it's more sensational and truly expresses how I feel.

I was out for my second run on Saturday. In the morning, I had run 16 miles at a decent pace, 7:30/mile. But to reach my goal of 85 miles for the week, I went on a second run, late Saturday evening. Since it was dark, I donned my white shirt, reflective vest, and headlamp. I wasn't expecting to run very fast thinking my legs were tired from the long week and also from the morning's run. My legs were fine; I turned around with about a 8 min/mile pace at one hour, 15 minutes. Sometimes I limit my runs based on distance, sometimes on the amount of time I had. For this run, I had only 2 1/2 hours. I was feeling pretty good, so I picked up the pace.

With just over a couple miles left, I was running up this long hill. It was a semi-busy road, but had a dedicated bike and pedestrian lane. With my reflective vest and white shirt, cars could easily see me from behind with plenty of time to react. So here I am, chugging up this hill, trying to keep my pace consistent while also keeping my heart rate down when a car blasts his horn at me. Not once, but twice!  Then as he passes me on the right to turn right (since there's a turning lane to turn right, and the bike lane continues between the "straight" lane and turning lane), he has his window rolled down and yells something at me. Already completely startled, frightened and hence in fight or flight, I give him the double-bird and maybe curse at him. Not at all Christlike, I admit. But anyone that honks their horn at me, gets a minimum single bird. This guy deserved the double. So as a warning to all idiot drivers, DON'T HONK your horn at me! Horn means danger, and I'll react as such. And don't flash your brights if I'm running towards you. I really need to be able to see the ground and other obstacles in front of me. If you want to say hi or cheer me on, then please slow down, roll down your window and offer appropriate words of encouragement. But please, don't honk your horn unless I am in danger, probably because you aren't paying attention and failed to see me with my bright headlamp and reflective clothing. Right after this incident, still going up the hill and before the first car finished turning, a second car decided to join the honk-fest. Bird for you too mister!

Needless to say, my heart rate averaged a lot higher on that hill than I was planning, above 170 bpm. And not to be stereotypical, not too much anyway, I've noticed that jerks that feel it's necessary to honk at me or flash their brights in my eyes are usually aggressive male drivers in big trucks. Big trucks for their big egos and lack of consideration for others.