dodging bullets while running

i’m in santorini, one of the greek islands, and it’s stunning.

i awoke this morning pre-dawn, and waited for the sun to rise for a run. here’s my running shoes saying hello to the sunrise.



(and yes, that’s the view from our suite!)

as i was putting my shoes on, i could hear loud banging pops. sounded vaguely like gunfire, but this is paradise. more likely to be some old greek lady’s rustic wood fire oven backfiring.

so i headed out, destination; the lighthouse on the end of the island.

everything was going well, knee a little sore but hey, she’ll work her way out. as i continued, however, i noticed those bangs were getting louder. and louder.

then, to my right, i notice a guy wearing camouflage crouching by the side of the road, surrounded by vine leaves. and a dog. and a gun. a really big gun. which he then fires.

i’m feeling a little nervous by my proximity to the gunfire, but i can see him, he’s now seen me, and that’s okay.

so i continue to the lighthouse. i pass the chickens. i turn around, back towards breakfast.

then, as i’m passing the same spot where previous gunman was, i notice that on the other side of the road, there’s another one. and then i really start looking around into the surrounding hills and notice there’s a whole bunch of men with stupidly big guns. shooting them, with relative consistency.

i’m freaking out a little bit. okay, i’m freaking out enough to stop running. i figure my little head bobbing up along the road could resemble a deer (are they even shooting deer?) one of the hunters dogs starts running after me. i beeline towards a scalable wall and he calls him back. phew.

one of the hunters crosses the road and gets into a jeep in front of me, his shotgun slung over his shoulder. and i think, i’m a little vulnerable right now. so i keep walking, but no deer-like-running.

finally i pass all visible shooters, and off i go again. i get back, breakfast is being served, and i feel like i’m a long way from the serenity of the picture i took during sunrise. but i’m seconding a notion i’ve stated here previously; running when traveling really does give you a different view on things. even when it does involve shotguns :)

before i run off; here's my totals for this week;

monday; 1hr cycling timed sprints, 30 minute swim
tuesday; 20 minute swim
wedsneday; 2 x 18 minute cycles, 30 minute swim
thursday; 20 minute bike weights routine, 20 minute swim
friday; rest
saturday; 30 minute hilly run (sprint/walk)
sunday; 15 minute swim, incl. 350 metre open water swim

2 weeks until Hever Sprint Triathlon!