"ON YOUR LEFT" ...

... now please get the hell out of my way!  I am always amazed at how many people are walking around out there unaware of the rules of the sidewalk.  Actually, just one simple rule: stay to the right unless you are passing.  The same rule of highway driving, which everyone knows.

It is common practice for me to call out "on your left" several times on every run.  I think it is a quick, blunt way to let someone know you are coming up behind them (on their left-duh).  For the most part, they move out of the way.  Sometimes they stop dead in their tracks and you run up their heels.  (or if they stop and turn to look at you, and you might stumble into an inadvertent hug).  Sometimes they step to the left and a collision ensues.  Sometimes they step to the right, then the left, then back to the right creating an awkward side-stepping dance.  At least they are all trying. 

Some alert people even hear you coming and clear the sidewalk completely - and often throw a smile or a head nod your way.  These people are great and their actions can really energize a passing runner! 

The annoying sidewalk offenders are those who are coming straight towards you and don't make any effort to  move.  HELLO?!? -- you are taking up the entire sidewalk and not one of you is going to move for me?!  I like to play a game of chicken with these people - I would certainly get out of the way of a tall, fast-moving girl in Peter Pan tights giving me a death stare.  Unfortunately, some people look right at you but make no effort to move ... so I usually run up on the grass or into the street and when possible I brush up real close to them, swing my arm out of the way in an exaggerated fashion and mutter an agitated "excuse me".  I am hoping to make a point.  It is my inner Mass-hole 'shining' through, which only happens when I encounter sidewalk felons and Boston - I mean bad, drivers. 

After I warn, and then pass these sidewalk felons, I am left wondering "did they receive my message?" and create a passing lane for others?  Or did they continue being oblivious and occupying the entire sidewalk?  I can only hope my efforts made the sidewalk a happier, more manageable place for the next runner to come along.  I like to think that with my obnoxious actions I am taking a stand for all runners! 

I have found the walkers of Burlington to be more aware than the average (not naming any other cities), so maybe after a few years living in Vermont, I will relax my running sidewalk rage a little!