This question was posed by my sister in the middle of our 18 mile run last Friday. Yes, a strange thought, but a very practical one too. I am guessing she was wondering how long she had to escape if she threw me in front of the skunk before he could get her, too. Which brings up another ethical-moral dilemma: to stink or not to stink. Should a loyal running partner take the brunt of a skunk spray to save one's companion, or is that a case of every runner for herself? I have not, fortunately, had to find an answer to this question, but one always ought to figure these things out in advance.
You never know when you might encounter a skunk. I was in the middle of a long run few weeks ago when a small skunk emerged from the bushes in front of me and crossed the road. I had a brief moment of concern. If he was not alone, or if he changed directions and retreated, we would be on track for a collision course, which would not end well for me. My initial reaction was that if I got sprayed, I wouldn't be able to finish my run. (I worry about myself slightly that my fears were not for the smell that would reek from me but whether or not I would complete the workout.) Luckily we did not have the dreaded encounter, but it did get me thinking about what to do the next time. Would I be the better person and sacrifice myself for my partner, or would I simply run for help? Either way, the one who got sprayed still has to walk home because there's no sane person who would let you in their car. Could I run fast enough to avoid the spray? Let's hope I never have to find out. And let's hope we never find out how quickly skunks reload either. But thanks, Kristy, for encouraging me to think about it and helping me pass a few more miles deep in thought.
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