When I’m running I scan the sidewalk ahead of me. I don’t look ahead at the horizon instead I keep my gaze down. I think the constantly changing view stimulates the visual side of my brain (the creative one), makes me think, and I like it. I’m sure this is very bad form for running, but, hey, I don’t really care.
When I don’t really have anything to think about, I look at the upcoming sidewalk, the curb, and the road edge. Since I’ve had several tire punctures over the years I scan for nails, screws and other nasty things on the roadside. When I see one, I stop, pick it up, and put it in my pocket. Upon returning home I toss the nasty in the trash. Naturally I pick up other things like money, CDs, baseball cards, and other intersting curiosities. My children think I’m wierd, but I don’t care.
When I return from running I walk around the cul-de-sac cooling off. Recently the young teen boys who live on our cul-de-sac have gotten toy BB guns which shoot plastic pellets. They have their gun battles in the front yards, sidewalks, and driveways which surroung the cul-de-sac. In my typical manner I now scan for their spent pellets when cooling off. I’ve picked up hundreds of these little beasties. Then instead of tossing them, I save them in a glass. I keep asking myself why do I do this, because they don’t cause tire punctures. Somehow I do care.
