The sparkling dew brushes against your shoes. The cool fresh air awakens your cheeks. You might even see a deer prancing away in fright.
It can all recall to mind memories of years ago, as well as bring together new friends who have trod the same path in their younger days.
I recently arrived at a forest preserve a few miles away from my home at about 7 am, eager to run a 5K race. I looked around for crowds and banners, but saw none.
I spotted an elderly man about my age and asked him about the race that I expected to begin soon.
“What race do you mean?” he asked.
“A 5K race that’s supposed to start right around here somewhere.”
“Oh,” he said, pausing. “You missed it by a day. It’s always held on the second Saturday of August.”
Don’t let the paunch fool you
“Well then, I’ll just run on my own,” I said disappointedly.
“Have you ever run a marathon?” the man said, changing the topic.
“Yes…but it was a long time ago” I said slowly, drawing out the words.
“I used to run marathons,” said the man, whom I’ll call Brad. “You wouldn’t think so with this paunch” he said, holding his stomach. “My best time was three hours flat.”
“Mine was 3:01,” I said.
“I got you beat,” he said with a chuckle.
We got to talking. He came out here every day, and walked to lose weight. He mournfully explained that he could no longer run due to bad knees. When we parted, he held out his closed hand for a fist bump, and I obliged.
Since the running trail was a big loop, I told him that I would see him later and jogged off. The trail was a beautiful experience, winding its way through thick wooded areas, open prairies and even several big hills that you don’t find throughout Chicagoland.
Then after climbing one long hill I spotted Brad again from a distance. When I got close, I called out to him. We chit-chatted while I jogged by him slowly. Brad was the kind of guy who liked to talk. But I didn’t want to stop. I wanted to see what kind of time I could get on this run.
“I’ll see you again,” he called out.
“Sure,” I said. By this time I had turned around, jogging backwards while talking to him. I felt bad because even though I said yes, I didn’t see how I would be coming out here again, since it was rather far from my house. Brad asked where I lived.
When I told him, he said imploringly, “It’s not too far away.”
I simply smiled. It’s true that I enjoy meeting new friends at running events, especially older fellows like me. We can compare the glorious days from our youth and talk about our aches and pains of the present. But I still have a family to care for and work full time. My time is limited.
I can imagine that Brad might be like a lot of other older men. He might be retired and living alone. Maybe his wife has passed, and the children have left the house. An empty house gets lonely.
So, contact with friends is a comforting balm to soothe one’s long and lonely days. Friends can look back over the years together and share notes. It makes the future seem a bit brighter.
Maybe I’ll see Brad again after all.