Originally Posted by RunFast

da da dut da da...So there I was...

Walking to the hotel after a nice leisurely short call in SEA, minding my own business and looking forward to an IPA at Sharp's. As I'm walking in the brisk air and noticing the longer shadows of nearly sundown, I hear heavily laden footsteps running behind me. As a courtesy, I slide to the right on the sidewalk towards the grass, get in line with my roller bag and do a quick check over my left shoulder. I see a gentlemen dressed in all black with heavy boots approaching fairly quickly (obviously not out for 5k training). I glance forward again to ensure I'm giving him plenty of space to pass on the left when I notice him stop running right next to me and utter something unintelligible. I never stopped walking and asked, "Excuse me?" And that's when his right elbow met my nose...swiftly and forcefully. I don't know the last time you were cold cocked in the nose, but it brought me to full attention. I immediately braced myself for what I assumed was either a robbery or ass kicking or both and prepared to defend my self. That's when I noticed the large framing hammer in his left hand...at that moment I did what any other self respecting former collegiate track athlete would do, I ran like hell. Delta iPad and dirty underwear be damned. Being fairly swift of foot, once I felt I had a comfortable distance on him I turned to see if he was in pursuit. He didn't seem to be the least bit concerned, calmly walking towards my direction then turning back to grab my roller bag/computer bag combo. I figured he was going to take off with it but no, he turned around, started walking back towards me and the bus stop. That's when I noticed the blood filling up my CDC/Delta approved mask. Because he's walking towards me with my stuff I move a bit farther down the street towards the airport exit. I decide against playing Frogger and dial 911. I didn't even have the whole story out to the 911 operator before no less than 5 police cars pull up to the curb. And the guy is still standing there 30 yards away at the bus stop with my roller bag! The Seatac police department officers were super professional. They independently verified my story and I cooperated by giving a verbally recorded testimony. Turns out the guy had just recently been arrested for shoplifting but the store owner (Ace hardware of all things...oh the irony) didn't want to press charges. Before I gave my statement and while they were arresting the man, I asked if they had found a hammer because I didn't see one at the bus stop or any of the police officer's holding one. I never got a straight answer and began to slightly doubt my memory of the incident (I was 100% sure he had a hammer at the time). After my testimony, the officer told me to take a look at some pictures they took of the scene. Blood droplets on the sidewalk where I took my mask off, my bags by the bus stop and a framing hammer halfway between where the incident took place and the bus stop. Thank goodness he didn't use the hammer on his first strike...

Stay frosty.