The wet snow in the woods forces me to run on the road this morning. But Sunday, so no traffic. I turn onto a cul-de-sac with an uphill to get my heart thumping. Of course the guy has to start up his truck just then, just so I get the fumes. On my return he's still there, idling, waiting to pass me and blow more fumes. I accelerate, pounding downhill. At the road's end we will part ways. From behind, a motor makes me look over my shoulder…and plant both feet into the huge puddle I didn't see. Damn him.
Ian Owens is a self-employed engineer who writes for the fun of it, mostly about self-propelled travel and Vikings. His first book, "Riding the Big One," has both.