Track and Field Blogs - David Flaugher

Sounds like some of you have heard about my incident at Iroquois Park today. Before I give you the details, I am physically fine.

Like many days, I decided to go for a run at lunch. My office is nearest to Iroq, so I headed for the amphiteatre parking lot. I was running along the asphalt sidewalk that is parallel with New Cut Rd. I had passed the basketball courts and an older couple that were walking in the opposite direction. As I came over one of the little hills I saw a guy walking towards me on the same sidewalk. I did notive that he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, but did not think too much of that. As I came close to him on the walk he wound up and took a big swing at my head. Luckily he missed, as I ducked and he hit me in the back of the head/neck. He then tried to hook me and pull me towards the ground. I did what all of us should do in that situation. I ran away. I ran fast straight into New Cut Rd, trying to find protection and to get around other people. He did not follow.

I know this story sounds completely insane. Thats because it is. This guy had no intention of robbing me. (there was nothing to rob except maybe my sunglasses). His only intention was to hurt me. The rage in his eyes was frightening. There was absolutely no provocation or warning. He never said a word. I was lucky. Lucky that he never got me to the ground where I would have been even more helpless. Lucky that he did not have a weapon (that I know of).

I run a lot by myself. Fortunately most of you do not. But we all run in areas that could hold problems. Be aware of your surrounding. Run in packs. Always know where the members of your pack are located. Maybe most importantly, if you see a situation that "doesnt look right", its probably not. Avoid it. Go another way. Trust me, its not worth the risk