THE PITFALLS OF POWER WALKING
As some of you may have read here last week, a broken sidewalk jumped up and attacked me on my way home from the track where I go for my daily (well, every other daily) power walk, leaving me splat on the pavement w/ a scraped, bloody knee and a dislocated shoulder (OK, I'm exaggerating about my shoulder).
Well, not only are the potholes and broken sidewalks a challenge to maneuver, now I need to develop eyes in the back of my head. Why? IPods!
Yesterday I took a detour along some side streets (most w/o sidewalks) that I haven't walked in awhile, just to check out my 'hood.' I was happily dueting "Country Roads" w/ John Denver (I know, I know - so shoot me - I still like him) when a car came up behind me and ran me down. (OK, I'm exaggerating again - but it was close). I had no idea the car was there. I hadn't heard it approach since my ears were plugged w/ the lyric "... West Virginia, Mountain Mama, take me home country roads." My heart raced as I narrowly escaped death, but then I got pissed. The road was not narrow, I wasn't walking in the middle, and no other cars or pedestrians were in sight (the streets in my neighborhood are sort of quiet, "suburban-country" roads). There was absolutely no reason for him (and it was a "him") to drive up right behind me, scaring me to death and forcing me off the road in some sick game of "chicken" --- his car vs. me. As I watched him drive by he was talking on his cell and totally ignored me, oblivious to the fact that if I hadn't jumped out of his way, I'd be roadkill. Soooooooo, not only did he almost kill me, or at the very least, cause me bodily harm, he was arrogantly breaking the law. I flipped him "the bird" but it didn't make me feel better (I really wanted to punch his face - a lot).
I love my IPod and really don't want to stop listening to music on my long walks on quiet, 'little-trafficked' neighborhood streets, so I'm going to have to be more alert, grow those eyes in the back of my head or walk backwards.
Living w/ modern technology can be hazardous to your health. So can living w/ arrogant cell abusers.
15 comments:
OOOOORRRRRR You can copy me and only put in one ear phone. That way you can still hear the cars.
Until the hybrids take over.
Sorry you are being attacked! Hugs, GB
OOOOORRRRRR You can copy me and only put in one ear phone. That way you can still hear the cars.
Until the hybrids take over.
Sorry you are being attacked! Hugs,
It does feel that way, GB. ;o)
Nice story, well-written as usual. – You’re right in this line: Living w/ modern technology can be hazardous to your health. –
Probrecita!!! Who do you think you are? Me? Getting almost run over by homicidal drivers is one of my specialities. But, then, I live in Queens, the land of the non-licensed, uninsured, maniacal driver who speaks no English. Where being the last driver through the red light is a major participatory sport! Almost happened to me this morning as I crossed the major street at the next corner from our apartment. I'm minding my own business, and there comes a car making a left turn right in front of me. Missed me by an inch. I, too, need eyes in the back of my head!
Sorry about the shoulder and scrapes, hon. Let Richard provide some TLC for you.
LOL -- sorry I'm laughing Sandy - I so feel your 'pain.' And, yes, Richard did give me a lot of TLC...
Oh Ilona,
So sorry to hear of your accident. Hope you are feeling better. I was out walking my dog, Jennavive, a few years ago, and suddenly she lunged forward in pursuit of another dog, and the leash was pushed into my legs, tripping me, and I fell so hard on my right hip. I was so bruised and sore for at least a week. So, I sure can feel your distress. Feel better and know that I am thinking of you. Xxoo. Kathy
Ouch, Kathy.
Like I wrote in my original post when I fell last week, I do this at least once a year, so I'm hoping my battle w/ the pavement is over until 2011. ;o)
Hope you feel better soon! Try walking on the other side of the street so you see oncoming cars. That whole 'eyes in the back of your head thing' take so long to grow, and aren't flattering to the hairdo.
LOL -- you're right - another set of eyes is not a flattering look. You're also right about walking on the other side of the road - it's better for the 'walker' - tho if I remember my Girl Scout 'training' one isn't suppose to walk on the opposite side. I always thought that was nuts.
And here I was getting ready to go, "Nooooooo!" over your dislocated shoulder. Doh!
Actually, Ilona, as much as you love your iPod, they are dangerous in more ways than one, especially when walking around like in neighborhoods or other areas where you might be the only person around. Just like the car caught you off guard ... so could an attacker. It's not as bad if your like at a Track with other people. Then again, you don't know who all everybody there is either.
Hey Chim -- how are you? And I agree about the IPod re: staying aware... I might turn it off when I leave the track, tho my streets are pretty residential...
Oh, I've been staying busy over on my Online Community. I haven't been actively designing Blog Themes lately like I had been for a while ... although I do have 4 in the queue on hold for various reasons.
But, I've been busy helping some friends there with different issues regarding how to do this, that and the other on the Blogs.
As I type this, I have on my plate also, a Procedure to write, which I promised some friends regarding how to record a Voice Clip. Yeah, some of us have recently posted up Voice Clips of ourselves so that our Blogging friends have a VOICE to go with our Online personalities. It was a bit terrifying, but FUN at the same time. HEE! :-)
Glad you're OK, Lonie. I getted really pissed when I see people talking on their cells while driving and especially when they are driving poorly
I've been known to open my window and scream at people on their cells while driving... not the smartest thing to do in a world w/ drive-by shooters... But cell phone users in public drive me up a wall in general, talking on them when driving gives me "road rage." Well, not literally, but I get very pissed.
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