This is basically a rant. You have been warned...
As a result of the Government Shutdown, my regular
running program (as well as many others) has been derailed.
Why? My route of choice, the C&O
Canal, was recently barricaded due to it being a "National Park". Since it is unknown
as to when the House will come to an agreement, it will remain closed to the public until further
notice.
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| Photo Credit: Herald Mail.com |
My secondary route choices are the good ol' open road and the
treadmill. I am not entirely opposed to road running, but it would have
to be kept to a minimum since I seem to absorb
injury when I do too much road running. Also, traffic is a concern. You
cannot trust every driver you pass.
As for the treadmill, I like
keeping that option as a last resort. If weather is bad or if it is a
short run day, the treadmill works perfectly. But I do not
want to be forced to use it regularly. BORING! I am reaching out to others to suggest alternative
long run routes and I have received some suggestions, but unfortunately the
closest one is about 30 minutes away.
Anyway, back to the subject of National Parks. Not
only does this include the C&O Canal, but the Antietam Battlefield. I
have a run on October 12th
called the Freedom Run and the course takes place in both parks. The
race director has informed
me that they are not looking to cancel the run, but to redo the course,
should the shutdown continue. Although I applaud them for making
changes as opposed to cancelling the run completely, I am angry that
this has to be considered.
The original route
goes through many historical areas and tells us so much about our
Nation's past.
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| Bloody Lane, Antietam Battlefield Photo Credit: FreedomsRun.org |
To modify the route and take away the reason this race is popular (featured in the October issue of Runner's World), is irritating. Although it is not set in stone
that we will be redirected to another path, I am still
bitter that it has to be considered.
So can we get it together, Government? Why should we suffer because you can't come to a decision by a set deadline? If we fail to meet any deadline, whether at work or school, we suffer consequences and right now, we are suffering for your failure. You will continue to get paid while others are unable to go to work and earn the paycheck that helps support their families. That is REALLY putting an American citizen's well-being first, right?
Has the Government Shutdown affected your day to day plans?
Do you run at a National Park?
I agree with you, you cannot trust drivers period. I have no idea how many times i went running outside this summer (mainly with a bright yellow stroller) and when I would cross the road, I would do at marked crosswalks, and like over 20+ times I have had close calls, and I am watching them too...
ReplyDeleteI don't or haven't run at a national park, the one closest to our house has free roaming buffalo, so I wouldn't run there at all ;)
I just read an article about a bicyclist that was killed by a car. The driver tried to pass them on a narrow road that was going uphill. A car was coming in the opposite direction that the passing driver did not see. In an attempt to avoid an accident with the other car, they swerved and hit the cyclist instead. They said if he had waited 15 seconds behind the biker to get up the hill, she would be alive. This situation could have happened to any pedestrian. That is a HUGE reason to favor a trail rather than the road.
DeleteBe safe!!!