Top Five in Exercise

I went for a speed walk today on the Lakeshore path, which I think may be officially called the Greenway. It has been a while since I've last been there and I just have to say, I love the Lakeshore path! I love the stream that runs by (except for that one stinky part), the way the light goes through the trees, the interesting wildlife and the even more interesting people who pass by. Today, I'm dedicating my top five to those people.

Top Five People You Pass By on the Running/Walking/Biking Trail:

1. The person who pretends to not even notice you.
2. The person who pretends to not even notice you and feels and looks really awkward about it (with or without earplugs in their ears).
3. The person/people walking their dog
4. The person who feels they should interact with each passerby. This group spans from the very discreet head nodder to the friendly joker, who says the same thing to every mom pushing a stroller, "Will you push me?" or "She's smart to ride!" etc.
5. The guy running with really short shorts, no shirt and a smug look on his face.

I generally fall into group 4, sharing a grim smile with each passerby and occasionally talking, especially with the jokers. I almost always have to look at the person and interact with them in some way. Occasionally, however, I fall into group 2 (or maybe 1?), especially when the oncoming person is a starer.

My complaint today is with group number one. Especially the bikers, who usually fall into that group. I guess I can't really blame them. They've got the gear, they're in the zone, they're trying to maintain their biker image, why would they notice the woman pushing a large stroller with a child in it? I mean, sure, I can do without that elbow the biker took off when he passed by me so closely, without so much as a sound or warning. But don't you think that the bikers should have the common decency to stop and say they're sorry, give back the elbow maybe? Or maybe look in their tiny helmet rear view mirror and give a little head nod? A thumbs up? Maybe even a polite hand wave? Sometimes I like to think that they're silently freaking out. "Oh man! I saw that lady just in time! Boy do my knuckles hurt where I grazed her so closely! Calm down. Act cool. Protect the sleek biker image. C**p! Another walker!" But something tells me that what they're really thinking under that frozen outer demeanor is, "LOL! O.M.G. I totally freaked that lady out! COOL! I am so cool. So cool, so cool, yeah. That's 10 points me, Zero points lame-os! Yes! Here comes number 11! Woosh!" Dudes. We totally have to work out some etiquette here. My request: You must be in the other lane before you get to 10 feet behind me. You must pass by with at least two feet between me and you. And I don't mean human feet. I will do my best to stay out of your way. That is, if i even hear you coming before you pass me by!