Scouting Our Spot

Today I ran with bulls.... sort of.

Chad and I woke up early to make it to the center of town at around 7am so that we could scout out our starting position and path for tomorrow. On the bus I decided that I was going to try and run today because I just couldn't handle it any longer. I wasn't necessarily planning on running as much as just being on the street as the bulls ran by so that I could get a feel for everything. I gave my jacket to Chad, entered the gate and waited the longest half hour of my life; Adrenaline pumping, heart pounding, muscles burning. I took up a position at one of the widest points of the course and right next to an exit fence. About 10 minutes before 8 (when the bulls are let loose) a prick de policia saw me shooting video with my camera and told me to leave the course. It was a strange mix of anger and relief all at the same time. I can't say I argued with him much. I exited the course and took a position behind the second fence (there are two fences setup along the course and they keep the area between them clear so that the runners can make a quick exit if they need to). The first rocket sounded meaning the bulls had been released and before I knew it the bulls had run by. I didn't see them as much as hear them and the crowd. A guy got slammed pretty hard right by where I had been standing and the crowd gasped. The medics were quick to get to him.



After the big boys had passed I entered the course again and started taking video. I noticed that some people in front of me started running so I turned and saw more horns coming. Thinking that I had just made a horrible mistake and entered the course before all of the bulls had passed I quickly ran to the side only to see three steer run by. As somewhat of a goof (and an excuse to run the course for practice purposes), I ran about a third of the course with them.



I will post more (including pictures) later.