I...I'm still alive...

What more can I say about the eventful fifteen miler yesterday. I managed to almost get hit twice (I'll post the email I sent the police/mayor of Eden Prairie below) and ran a strong 7:44/mile pace through big hills. I wish I would have kept up the hills, but the lure of running in the warm, spring sunshine around the Minneapolis lakes was too much. After the Earth Day half, I decided to get back in them.

I feel strong and I know I'm running better than I ever have. I even managed an easy four this morning. I'm not a morning runner, but I might have to become one. That is, if I can get out of bed. It's so beautiful around Lake Harriet in the morning. I love the sounds of ducks waking up in the morning and the reflection of the bandshell on the lake.

In other news, get the new Pearl Jam cd on May 2nd. It is simply the best cd they have ever made.

Also, I can't believe the Twins are getting a new stadium, with my money, without me getting a vote. They went around the law to get this through the legislature. Why should the people of Hennepin County alone pay for it? Some of the comments made by legislators are absolutely ridiculous.

Finally, here's the email I sent to the mayor of Eden Prairie...

First off, I'm a runner and I don't run too often on the sidewalks/trails Eden Prairie because of the horrible drivers. It seems like every time I run, I almost get hit by a car.

Last night, April 26th, I was running Anderson Lakes Parkway at 5:15 pm. I stopped at the stoplight at Columbine Avenue. I look over and a Tan Lexus blows through the red-light with the guy talking on a cell phone, almost hitting another car. I just shook my head and looked back. There sits a police officer in a black, unmarked car. I was very surprised he didn't do anything.

The light then turned green and I was given a walk sign. I started to cross, when a driver from Columbine Avenue started to make a right hand turn. Well I was in the middle of the crosswalk and had to throw my hands on the hood. The officer just drove by. Actually looking at me.

I had to stop again at the Highway 212 stoplight. Waited for the walk sign and ran across the highway. I was on the crossing the road on the other side of the Amoco Station when another car went into the crosswalk almost hitting me. Again, the same officer drove by. Again, he looked at me and did nothing.

The lack of courtesy for pedestrians in the city of Eden Prairie is pathetic. The response of the police in the situations where a pedestrian almost gets hit is just as bad. Something needs to be done before someone is seriously hurt or killed.