Day 4,236—Reflections on Yesterday and Today’s Recovery Run—

 

      While running yesterday, I attempted to cross an intersection where a driver was attempting to turn right on a red light. There was a sign that was clearly labeled that said, “No right on red.” Yet this driver was determined to turn right anyway. His car was extended into the crosswalk, so I stopped and tried to get his attention.

        He ignored me, then turned right on red quickly, getting incredibly close to hitting me. I yelled, but he didn’t even look my way. I was so mad. I had an okay run and wasn’t feeling bad, but that driver’s disregard for safety irritated me so much. I knew I would never cross in front of the car unless I maintained eye contact with the driver, but still, I had the cross sign and could have run directly past him, and he would have hit me.

        When I got close to my house, a guy called to me from the corner store. He said he had seen the whole thing and almost honked at the driver for me. I felt like he was trying to apologize for the driver in a way, and although it wasn’t his fault, I appreciated the thought. The fact that someone else noticed and said something.

Today I spent most of the morning working on a project for school, and when I went to run, I was in a hurry, thinking I would try to eat lunch with my wife before I had to pick the kids up. I was thinking about how my hip was still bothering me, but at least the fall leaves were pretty.