Today’s run: 4.5 miles, 47:59. YT: 425.04. I ran down the main drag in Bethany Beach amidst 4th of July furor. Lots of shade, miraculously, but I was the kind of slow that you can only achieve by spending all day the day before drinking in the beach.

Running on the main drag in Bethany, you’re in a pretty little lane for bikers and runners – that travels alongside the main highway. It’s not dangerous, to be sure, but I like to stay by the outside of the lane when having to pass by oncoming running traffic, as far from the cars as possible. As fellow runners approached, I noticed that most men kindly took the inside when crossing my path – dutifully risking life and limb (but not really) to preserve their gentlemanly status.

Except for one guy. I saw him coming. We stared each other down, locked in a game of chicken which I knew pretty immediately that I was going to lose. His eyes said, “My gait is my honor.” Truth be told, he was running pretty fast.

So, I let him go. He may win his races, but he’s not going to win any charm awards.

Happy fourth all! Firework photos TK tomorrow.