I just had to laugh out loud at the Death Zone reference. Now that you explained it, it totally makes sense. It can get pretty hairy in highly commercial areas. I try to avoid them at all costs (and luckily I can with my teensy commute to work).
And about the co-workers who don't get it- they never will and that's ok. Some people just find it incredibly odd and that makes it all the more fun. Is it bad that I like messing with those people just a teeny bit???

Thanks for the info- I'd love to read it if you can get to posting it! She actually walks 2 miles 3 days a week, but other than that she's pretty inactive. She doesn't "get it" that I do marathons or triathlons for the fun of it, and thinks it's just some strange habit (like smoking, or reading romance novels ). Then again, nobody in my family "gets it." Makes me think I may have been adopted...