Runner’s high? Not exactly.
In honor of the L.A. Marathon earlier today, and because it came to mind while I was running about 22.2 fewer miles this afternoon, the Top Ten ways running in L.A. is unlike running anywhere else:
10. Difficult to listen to iPod because of news helicopters hovering overhead.
9. Hardship of those bone-chilling 58-degree January mornings.
8. As they pass, other runners ask, “Who are you wearing?”
7. Have to carry headshots in case you bump into person casting key role of “sweaty guy with bad knees” in next Spielberg film.
6. Never know when your usual route will be blocked by location shooting for “Desperate Housewives.”
5. Risk of heat stroke on those 94-degree January mornings.
4. Passing directors occasionally stop and tell you to do last block again, with more urgency.
3. When you don’t feel like completing a run, stunt double steps in.
2. Dodging falling power lines during earthquakes can get tiresome..
1. Annoying paparazzi who chase you because they’ve mistaken you for Brad Pitt.