This is why I run.

This is what I want you to see.

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Chilled with a few layers of fabric. The clothing I can feel flapping against my skin. Synthetic fabrics, moisture wicking black material feels structured yet flimsy as do most modern athletic clothing. Wondering if this will be a cold run because of my misjudgement of the weather or if the chill will dissipate quickly after the first half mile. The blinding, clear sky white washing my eyesight. The sky, the sun, the white light is colder, we are evidently closer to the winter solstice.

Immediately prior to the start of the run, I have a quick feeling of exciting determination and slight thrilling giddiness as this run could be dangerous. I feel this for an instant. These runs always have a hint of enticing danger- running in a new direction miles away from the origin, dressed for optimal temperature regulation during the run. Dressed for running means dressed for a body in motion, a body generating heat and breath. However, the same clothing could be dangerously inadequate should I stop for extended periods of time miles away from the destination, should I hit the figurative wall far away in an unfamiliar area, should I hit a literal wall by total accident. Be careful, stay alert. Active body. Active mind. 

These runs are exciting because the surroundings will be different, new. The path; one I have not covered. The feel, the energy, the terrain, the plants, the buildings, the people.

A short man running a quarter mile ahead of me on the same path. He has a faded navy blue fisherman’s knit hat. I can tell it’s faded because it is a color that used to be a color but has lost its original luster due to repeated use but most likely sweat. His running hat. He is fast.

I’m a bit closer now.  He is perhaps 100 yards ahead of me, it appears I will inevitably pass him if we continue on the same path. It is very likely I will pass him. We are on the Lakefront Path headed south. Unfamiliar with this part of the path, I intend to adhere to the signage to keep my pace, cover my intended distance, and stay on the true Lakefront Path. The short older man 50 yards ahead of me also appears to be as determined as I to stay on the same path. 

20 feet ahead of me now and he overtly picks up the pace. This can be an awkward tug of war which I refuse to be dragged into.  I ensure that I maintain the same steady pace now. I simply want peace on this run on this beautiful fall day not competition. I stop and think. This stranger likely wants the same.  He is a fellow runner. 

In this moment, a past situation comes to mind. This memory is from years ago while out on a running trail in the suburbs. I was running my regular pace when I notice a young lady ahead of me.  If I maintain my pace, I know I will pass her.  I try to obviously make some noise with my steps as I approach to ensure that she hears me behind her - my effort to not sneak up on a woman running alone on a natural trail. When I get closer, I notice she picks up her pace and maintains a 30 foot distance between us, never turning around.  After at least a mile of her running ahead of me and me maintaining my steady pace, we both get stuck at a traffic light that bisected the nature preserve trail.  She says to me “you really helped me keep my pace up”. I reply, “phew good, I didn’t want you to feel like I was being creepy”.  We both laugh. 

The memory of the time with the young lady brought me back.  Don’t assume this fast, older man is racing you, or being alpha, or being anything. We are more similar at this moment than we are different. 

I pick up my pace, take out my headphones, get next to him and ask,

“How far are you going today”. There is no need for modesty.  He is a runner, I am a runner.  It is evident. He replies, “My usual 5.”

I respond, “Way to go. I’m only a few in for my long run today. 10 miles.”

Him, “boy that would be a record for me.”

". . . but you’re very fast!” I refrain from observing his age.  He notices.

“Yeah, for 63 I’m doing okay.”

“Wow, I hope to run as well as you when I’m 63. I’m 33 now. My whole lifetime is between us!”

Him: “You training for a marathon?”

“No, not this year. Maybe wait until Covid dies down more”  I haven’t run a marathon in years but I wanted to make conversation not remembering that the pandemic could be a touchy subject.  His response, “yeah, mother nature always has different plans for us.” He’s one of the good ones. A kind heart. I say back, “that’s why we should do our best to respect her.” 

“Amen,” he says.  I learned that he wants to complete a triathlon but he’s not a fan of swimming in natural bodies of water.  I admit that I cannot swim at all. He tells me that he learned to swim 20 years ago when he was 43. This makes me question my hydrophobic tendencies. It’s never too late. He tells me he’s turning right onto 71st Street to get back home in the South Shore neighborhood where he’s lived for decades. While we pivot and turn to different paths we exchange parting pleasantries.  I loop back to cover the remaining 4 miles.

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The temperature is perfect, the gusts of wind, the long shadows already forming mid afternoon on this fall day. At the end of my run I am exhausted, physically depleted yet I feel so very full. This is why I run. This is what I want you to see. Keep going my man! You are an inspiration!