Rules violations...

Tonight I ran the Fleet Feet Annapolis Pumpkin Fun Run.  Thank you Fleet Feet, it was a great event!  Sadly, I did not find one of the three pumpkins hidden on the path that meant fame, glory and treasure (okay...maybe not fame and glory, but you did get a prize if you found one), but I did find some commaraderie for a dark, misty run through the streets of Annapolis.  Unfortunately, the fun doesn't completely make up for the rules violations that occured during this run.

First and foremost, I again broke my own rule to not run after dark.  Granted, I was clothed in my Saucony vizipro top that only a blind person would not be able to see, so I had that covered.  But if you know Annapolis, you know how treacherous night running is for the clumsy folk (aka me).  Uneven brick pavement and no light to see where it's uneven - let's be honest - sucks.  It would be super easy to end up seriously injured and out of commission.  So why did I do it?  Well, it sounded fun and I was originally going to be running it with my co-race director for the Anniversary Run 15K.

My rules violation, however, pales in comparison to the woman who was dressed almost entirely in black (with a muted splash of color added by her tulle tutu) and running in the road rather than on the sidewalk.  Under no circumstances - racing on a monitored/closed course or during a halloween fun run - is it ever okay to run after dark in dark clothing without a reflective belt at the very least.  On the success to fail scale, this lady gets a MAJOR FAIL for runner safety.  She's also one of the legitimate complaints from non-runner drivers.  Please lady, next time don't give Annapolitans a legitimate reason to complain about our great running community.

Rules violations - and potential for injury aside - I liked the event.  It was a slow easy pace and the dark, for some reason or another, causes one to feel as if they have not run nearly as far as the Garmin shows in the end.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.15
Time:   30:14 (average pace of 9:35 per mile)
Location:  Eastport through downtown Annapolis
Feeling:  No real strong pain in the shin, all in all not bad