In the neighborhood

Now that spring is here. . .

One of our consultants went out for a run Sunday morning.  It was a sunny, clear morning, just cool enough at the start to merit the description.  As one would expect on a weekend with good weather, there were many people out on the path by the Potomac.  There were fewer low-speed runners than he expected; normally the proportion of those obviously on sports teams or seriously dedicated to the activity is high in less comfortable weather and drops when the sun starts to come out.  No doubt the weather excuse tends to wear thin then.  But there was no sign of it today, and he reconciled himself to being passed by everyone.  He is legitimately coming off an injury, so that’s part of it; but sometimes he feels that he’ll be coming off an injury forever.

There were many bicyclists, indeed bikers in droves.  That’s the name we’ll use for apparently organized groups, that is, many riders sporting the same name tag or t-shirt and riding the same model bike.  These can be a little intimidating when passing, since a runner never knows how many there are going to be, and looking behind to see can produce a dangerous swerve.  Today they were well-behaved in general, and (to our mind) much preferable to the Tour de France wannabes who are normally trying to set a new record time to Mount Vernon.

There were very few powered bikes or scooters on the path.  We consider these inventions to be very like the ubiquitous laser pointer: with the proper training and care, a net asset to civilization; but that almost never happens.  Legally, powered vehicles are forbidden to use the bike path.  However, battery-powered people seem to have come to the conclusion that, since they are not licensed by the DMV nor are they pedestrians, they are not covered by either set of laws, and thus need to abide by none at all.  In principle, we understand that there are rules; but they’re not posted anywhere that we’ve seen and certainly aren’t enforced.

After the run our consultant spent some time cooling down by walking around a waterfront park.  He normally tries to avoid this on a Sunday, because of the amplified musicians that often appear there.  He encourages legitimate street-performers in principle.  A personal encounter with music-makers is to be treasured if they’re not excruciatingly bad, and some are very good.  But those who channel their inner Phil Collins with a recorded back-up track that can be heard for several blocks should simply be suppressed.  This time, electric speakers were absent.  Instead, various members of a local High School band were trying to raise money as saxophone, trumpet, clarinet and flute duets.  The latter were, of course, at a great disadvantage since almost everything in the park was louder than they were.  The overall quality was decent.

Of course workouts can be painful and difficult.  But we notice that just sitting in place produces more aches and stiffness.  And it’s good to get out in the neighborhood.