running ethics

I set out today for an 18 mile run, part of my marathon training schedule, by mile 6 I had decided I no longer wanted to do a marathon (of course I am back to contemplating now) and decided to celebrate by skipping out on the 18 miles and exploring some new trails! The Recreational Trail sounded promising, so I took the rolling hills for a while.

After about 2 miles of running over the peaks of the several foothills surrounding the Oak Park community, the sun began to set behind the hills, my environmental alarm clock. I take the next route down I can find and begin the feel the exhaustion from the hills and the heat. Just as thoughts of cool water and refreshing fruit fill my thoughts I spot a water bottle and red Gatorade bottle standing hand-in-hand on a wood post marking the trail. Droplets of condensation fall down the slick sides of the bottles taunting me. My feet come to a hault and I stand looking around, then at the bottles. Is this right? No, its not. After exciting the trail I take a left following my sense of direction. Of course this is always a mistake because I have none, so I manage a run a long mile in the wrong direction and have to stop and ask directions.

By the time I reach my landmark of the appetizing refreshments my watch has alerted me that I have run 10 miles, reminding me of my dehydration and NEED for a drink. Instinctively I run past the bottle but don't make it 10 feet before I turn around. Glancing from side to side I make sure that no one is watching and I go for the Gatorade. It takes about 10 seconds to gulp over a third of it down. After quickly replacing the lid, with a big smile on my face and red dyed lips, I continue on.

Its less than a mile before I manage to get attacked by a tree limb, leaving a trickle of blood down my leg. I look down and the red reminds me of the red Gatorade - natures retaliation.

Running Ethical Dilemmas:
1. Is it ethically wrong to sign up for a marathon then sell your registration on Craig's List? No?
2. Is it ethically wrong to drink another runner/hikers rehydration beverage? Probably
3. Is it ethically wrong for trees to grow long, pointy, random limbs out into the sidewalks? Yes

No worries. My run ended up lasting 14.80 miles long...I had plenty of time to contemplate the Gatorade move and I still don't feel the slightest tinge of guilt.