During a run last weekend, I saw a squirrel get killed. I watched it dart across the street in light warping speed, but also noticed the oncoming car still had plenty of time to slow down for 2 seconds to let the furry critter make it’s way to the other side. The driver didn’t make any attempt at slowing down and BAM! Once the impact happened, the car kept going on it’s merrily way while the squirrel laid motionless on the road.
Just as I passed it, I stopped for a moment to see if the squirrel would somehow spring up and exclaim, “Aha! Gotcha!” But it didn’t. And then I asked myself, should I go and try to stop traffic so I could get the little guy away from being completely flattened to smithereens, and what would I use to handle such a critter? I didn’t. As I kept running down the road, I felt sad and I wished it’s little squirrel soul, a safe and peaceful passage up to squirrel heaven where there are no cars and nuts are flowing plenty.
And then I found myself getting upset with the driver.
Was it too much of an inconvenience to slow down for 2 seconds?
Was the driver distracted by their cell phone because they wanted to see if anyone “liked” their tweet, or Facebook post, or Instagram photo, or they just had to read that text and didn’t see the squirrel?
Does the driver simply not care?
This is what I notice more as I run on roads. People are in a hurry. Even as I drive myself, I notice a whole lot more, people are always in a hurry.
People are in a hurry to get to Friday, to the next 3 day weekend, to get to wherever they need to drive to.
People are in a hurry to get through the run, to get to the next race, to get the race over with so they can get to training for the next race and the whole process starts again.
And maybe this is why I’m drawn to trail running a whole lot more than roads in general. The fact that it’s slower. Now, ultras definitely have their fair share of speedsters, but for the most part, trail running is a slower sport. Being on the trails, life slows down.
And the more life goes on, I’m thankful I’m a slower runner. Oh yes, there are definitely perks for being on the slower side.
I get my money’s worth in races. I get to talk more to my fellow runners more comfortably. I get to fight harder for time cutoffs. I notice more things than I probably would if I was zooming by…such as these beautiful flowers lying on the ground as the gardener did some pruning. Did I mention I’m a slower runner regardless if I’m on the trails or road?
As I’m going through this specific journey of training for 100 miles, I’m becoming more and more aware of not wanting to be in such a rush because I’ve done it in the past. I was so happy to get through the running season so I can get that marathon over with and have my long run weekends free again. The training is over! Yay!
Then it dawned on me, I don’t want this Javelina Jundred journey to end. I’m actually enjoying it! I’m in no hurry for this training to be over with.
And maybe if that squirrel wasn’t in such a hurry, it might still be alive.
I mean seriously, life goes by so fast, why would anyone want to rush through it?
Thanks for reading.