Multisport Athlete

Tonight I went out just after 9:00pm for a 50 minute base run. It's pretty common for me to run later at night and I usually don't worry about the safety aspect. Well, tonight's run was a little creepy.
First off I was excited as I was trying out a product from fuel belt that had a water bottle, gel flask holder, and 4 other pockets for keys, mp3, or whatever. I was impressed as how well the belt balanced everything, it really had very little bounce to it. And when you consider what you get to carry and not have to plan water water stops on a long run, I can deal with a slight amount of bouncing. It also sat well around my waist and small of my back, I really didn't mind wearing it. My long slow base runs usually take place on the nature trail that runs with hwy 63. I run this trail for one reason and one reason only, it's flat! 10 minutes in I went to reach back to take a drink from my standard 20oz water bottle and the fun began, I had a heck of a time getting it out of the holder. I get it out and launch it 4 feet off into (dark) grass next to the trail. I now stop, get the bottle, take a drink and place it back in the belt, two hands were required for this.

3 minutes later I'm crossing the first bridge outside of town and I hear a noise and see an odd shape next to the trail. This scared my lock-laces right out my shoes so I yelled, "YEH!". And someone said "Hi" back to me. Some older guy on an old schwinn with no lights telling me he just tossed his chain and complaining about how hot it was. I offered services to help with the bike but he said he just fixed it. So kept running north towards Waterloo. Now my mind was playing with me, I looked over my shoulder every 2 minutes waiting for this guy to come up behind me with a chainsaw or something.

I made it to my turn-around point and headed back to Hudson. The ditch water was nasty and I think I heard a crock or two. To add some much needed (yea right) drama to the situation there was a lightning storm building to the West. So I reach the bridge were my new buddy was (my mind is still messing with me) and he is still there. I ask if he was ok and he said yes, he was waiting for a friend to meet him. OK, that confirms it...........Drug drop, I'm out-a-here!
As I was running through Hudson on the sidewalks I had a black cat cross my path. GREAT! Could this get any better? Actually it did, my cool down was spent under a light sprinkle. Hate the lightning, love running in the rain. It's a good, right Blue!

I tried removing my water bottle from the belt 3 more times during the run. Each time it required 2 hands and I had to stop to remove, and reload it. I'm going to see what I can do to make adjustments, and also try a smaller diameter bottle.

Ed (still alive)
OUT!