Tuesday, May 12, 2009

“RUNNING!!”

Yesterday I went for a hard, fast 6 miler. Something kinda funny happened about half-way into the run.

As I was running past a middle school, I noticed a man really running hard, “striding it out” as he was coming towards me. He ran with large, bounding strides. I realized he was mentally handicapped (I’m not sure the best way to word that, so I’m sorry if it’s not super PC), and he was just out enjoying a run. I smiled as I met him, but he didn’t notice me - I think he was running hard and trying to show-off for the students filling the sidewalk outside of the school.

A few blocks later, I hit my turn-around point, and turned to head back towards home.

About 1 block past the school, I came upon the same man that was running hard before, only now he was walking quite slow. He was way off to one side of the large sidewalk, and he turned to watch me run up behind him. He was smiling. I smiled and said “hi” as I ran past.

The next thing I know, he’s started running, and he has run past me! He’s keeping my pace, running about 5 feet to the left/front of me. (At this point in my run, I’m running about 6:10 - 6:20 pace.) He’s grinning ear-to-ear, and constantly looking over his shoulder at me. I smiled back.

“How are you?” I ask.

He answers with one word, full of enthusiasm: “RUNNING!!...”

I thought that was a great response! A block later, we came up on someone walking. The man running with me was fading, and I had to quickly jump in front of him to pass the woman who was walking. He laughed, and then stopped to walk. I smiled as I ran off.

I don’t think he meant his statement to be as profound as I’m making it, but I thought about what he said. “Yeah, how bad CAN I be: I’m out on a run! Life must good: I’m taking time out of my day for a run! What cares can I have: I’M OUT ON A RUN!!”

So if you ever ask me “How are you?” don’t be surprised if I respond with “Well, I’m RUNNING, so all is well!!"

47 comments:

  1. Great answer!
    Sums up everything!

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  2. I think you are on to something with the profundity, Steve. It is easy for many of us (or maybe just me) to forget how really great it is that we CAN go out for a run.

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  3. I love this - thank you for sharing, and the reminder...

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  4. That was a really great post, Steve! Thanks for sharing that story--it has really helped me to gain some perspective! I will definitely keep it in mind when I'm having a bad run :)

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  5. Speaking as a person with a sibling with Down syndrome, using the phrase "mentally handicapped" is totally fine. Doesn't ruffle my feathers none. :)

    And I agree; if I'm out for a run, all is well with the world.

    I better hang on to that attitude because Sunday morning I'm running a marathon (Cleveland Marathon) and I'm sure I'm going to get very disgruntled somewhere along the way.

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  6. Aww, what a terrific attitude. Love it!

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  7. That's great. What a great response.

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  8. What a terrific post, Steve! Thanks for sharing :)

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  9. Did he look like this?

    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1V7wnZxPqok/RfBbDFqZdNI/AAAAAAAACo8/9AQtIqsCbLg/s400/ForrestGumpRunning.jpg

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  10. That was a great response!

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  11. Now that was awesome! It had to be so cool to connect with him like that. Running really is the best!

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  12. Love this post. Thanks for sharing it. Good to remember!

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  13. That's such a great story, thanks!

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  14. That's so great! And definitely something to keep in mind during runs that hurt. Any day you can run is a good day!

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  15. Sometimes the best lessons we learn come to us in interestingly wrapped packages.

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  16. So, he was running like Phoebe on Friends? Best episode ever.

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  17. This is great! Thanks for sharing this! Life is good!

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  18. Oh, I LOVE this post! Totally made me smile.

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  19. love this! thanks for sharing the experience. definitely the attitude i need to have more often!

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  20. That is awesome!

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  21. Oh thank you!! I'm going to carry this story in my head (heart?) for those times when I forget what it's all about.

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  22. Awesome awesome post!!!

    Thanks Steve Stenzel!!!

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  23. I LOVE that. The next time someone asks how I am, I may just yell RUNNING! Thanks for sharing.

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  24. What a great story. RUNNING!!!

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  25. Ok, it might just be a side effect of watching the emotional rollercoaster that is the Biggest Loser right now, but that made me teary. Great story.

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  26. I can't believe you called me mentally handicapped...I was just out of breath.

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  27. That is too awesome!


    Coming from a Special Education teacher, your terminoligy was PC. Some say mentally challenged... I know a lot of states are trying to get rid of the R word.

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  28. That's AWESOME!! Thanks for the smile that post has given me!! :)

    Great blog btw..

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  29. You met the real life spirit of Forrest Gump, and as in fiction, he had something to teach us.

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  30. Love this. "Running!" He was truly happy doing it, too.

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  31. Great story!

    You and Pharmie have such great blogs! My hubby and I run and race together as well.

    Keep RUNNING--and enjoying every minute of it :o).

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  32. Fantastic post -- that should install a permagrin everytime I run now :-). Thanks Steve!

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  33. And that is why it is profound.

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  34. I love it. I hope that he had a good run.

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  35. Awesome! I love the "have no cares in the world" attitude of the mentally challenged. I have worked in the pool with MC people in the past and it was some of the best experiences I've had!

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  36. Just found your blog- love this post....VERY inspiring-thanks!

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  37. well put... by him and keen observation and application by you. Something we'd all do well to remember...

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Thanks for your comments! Have a great day!