Renee and I went to Garland Mountain for a run today, a place where we had ran a few times before, and also had done a few races. This trail is primarily used for horseback riding but the Parks Department has agreed to allow hikers and by proxy, runners, to use this beautiful gem of a trail-system.
Welp, it turns out that it is now illegal to run there, as of January 2015. Yes, one can hike on the trail but running? Nyet! They literally have posted on their sign, "No running."
We were made aware of this fact by two people who were doing some trail maintenance (which is always appreciated.)
"You know that you can't run here right?" This was how the woman greeted us. I guess I looked like a runner and not a hiker? It mus have been the purple socks and multi-colored shoes. Hmmmm?
"You runners have all kinds of places to run and we only have this one place to ride horses." she continued. Renee was pretty upset at this point and I was too but tried not to let on. I was just hoping there was some sort of compromise we could reach. We let them know that we had been out here running before and that there was even a running race in March. We let them know that we were staunch believers in trail etiquette and Renee reassured them that she had raised horses so she was familiar with them.
"Yes, the race is the one time of year you can run here." was their cheerful reply.
Eventually the guy came over and we looked at the map together and talked about the new mileage built at the trail. Things seemed to calm down at this point and eventually they both said that we could run there as long as we were careful and watched out for horses. I also then took my spray paint can back to the car. I guess I'll have to write graffiti on trees in the woods at a later time. *sarcasm
When I woke up that morning, I never thought that I would be told that I couldn't run somewhere. These are crazy times indeed.
Please, I beg you, if you see a runner out and about, give them a smile to let them know that you care and let them know that they still belong in this world.
Welp, it turns out that it is now illegal to run there, as of January 2015. Yes, one can hike on the trail but running? Nyet! They literally have posted on their sign, "No running."
We were made aware of this fact by two people who were doing some trail maintenance (which is always appreciated.)
"You know that you can't run here right?" This was how the woman greeted us. I guess I looked like a runner and not a hiker? It mus have been the purple socks and multi-colored shoes. Hmmmm?
"You runners have all kinds of places to run and we only have this one place to ride horses." she continued. Renee was pretty upset at this point and I was too but tried not to let on. I was just hoping there was some sort of compromise we could reach. We let them know that we had been out here running before and that there was even a running race in March. We let them know that we were staunch believers in trail etiquette and Renee reassured them that she had raised horses so she was familiar with them.
"Yes, the race is the one time of year you can run here." was their cheerful reply.
When I woke up that morning, I never thought that I would be told that I couldn't run somewhere. These are crazy times indeed.
Please, I beg you, if you see a runner out and about, give them a smile to let them know that you care and let them know that they still belong in this world.