Easy paced 8 miles bench trails. Well, mostly easy. I don't know why this crap seems to happen to me all the time, but climbing from the pipe to the overlook (those who run here know the section) I noticed a runner in front of me not too far up. I was gaining on him fast (not trying) and he was just kind of shuffling along. I got close, noticed he had a dog with him, the dog bolted back to me, the runner turned around, saw me close, and instead of pulling aside and letting me by (and contolling his dog), he put his head down and sped up, though not really speedy. I kinda trotted along behind him while his damn mangey coyote of a dog got nervous and ran circles around both of us. I coughed, I coughed agian, I spit, I exhaled loudly, I looked for headphones (none), he looked back again I said "hey", he sped up a little more, I can't pass (steep hill on both sides), I keep tripping on his dog, I think, should I just stop for a while a let him get ahead, nah, kinda on a time schedual to get home for dinner, so I follow, thinking he will pull out at the overlook. Overlook goes by, still following, though he has sped up slightly on the now flatter terrain. (though still like a 15 min pace). Trail is a little more open, so I move along side off trail, he moves over, what the ?? so I put my hand on his shoulder, to let him know I was there, and politely said "excuse me, coming by." I get around, settle into my easy, but faster than the last 1/2 mile had been, pace. After a few minutes, I glance back and he is right on my heels! 'c'mon man! I speed up a bit, still with me, Speed up a bit more, and he was gone. Why? I mean really? This guy ws the ONLY other person I saw on the WHOLE run.
8 easy miles, one frustrating 1/2 mile, great run all in all. Oh, and I took the training wheels outa my shoes tonight, felt alright. | 