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Pictured: Jack and Jill, my own little Spring Bunnies

Ah, it is that time of year again when the Spring Bunnies abound. A few days of nice weather after just a cold winter will draw out even the most fair-weather runner and while I am happy to see Spring Bunnies bounding down the road, enjoying running and getting back into shape after winter hibernation, it is difficult to share the path at times. Runner etiquette is a rarity on days like these and I combat my frustrations openly. Runners not moving over to let you pass, runners not crossing roads safely (making drivers frustrated who may take it out on the next runner), runners picking up their pace as to not "get passed" and prove to themselves that they are "still in shape"...the list goes on. In perhaps the center of all frustrations is the nearby public track.

Up the hill in our neighborhood, I know the off-beaten paths enough that I can run in (somewhat) solitude and enjoy the outing. But at the track....oh, at the track...walkers walk in the left lanes, people walk their dogs (and let them defecate on the track!?!?!), people let their kids "play" on the track -weaving in and out of runners, Spring Bunnies "jog" in the left lane and all I want to do is get a good, hard 8x400 in! I ran into this a few weeks ago and nearly lost it when a Granny was walking with 4 kids, holding hands in a daisy chain, on the inside 5 lanes of the 6 lane track! I love having a public track less than a mile from the house (by the time I run there, my warmup is already done) but it's days like this when I must weigh the options of politely yelling "left! left! left!" every time I pass someone or yelling "walkers stay to the right please!" vs getting in a good workout. After talking with my friend M who is a track coach, I've gotten a heads up that the Spring Bunnies are abounding this week down at the track.

So today, I'm going to try something new. I've mapped out the block around my house at the top of Hawthorne Hill where it is the most level in the neighboring 1/2 mile area. The block is just over 400 m so I can use this as my own "track" today. No cushy surfacing, but eh, aside from the corners I'll have to turn it shouldn't be too awful. I can do my hard 400m then jog 500m and repeat. I'm sure my neighbors will wonder what the heck that crazy girl is running loops and loops for, but I know I'll be able to get in a better workout and not be nearly as frustrated. I love to encourage others in their running, but today I can't share the road - I just can't. It's a "me" kind of day and I'm going to be selfish. I may have to share the sidewalk with a Spring Bunny and that's okay - I just can't share the public track today - not politely at least.

I kind of miss the crappy winter weather and the shared moment of running by another runner with the slight nod in appreciation of another person who shares the winter roads so infrequently traversed...