Miss(ed) Manners

Distance: 3 miles
Start time: 8:30 am
Run Duration: 31 minutes
Pace: 10.33 minutes/mile
Temperature: 83 degrees
Humidity: 67%
Location: Rice University Track, Houston

Yesterday's clinic brought one tragedy after another and I felt used up. I was happy to meet friends for sashimi and a movie and I fell into bed, knowing that I should set the alarm in order to beat this morning's heat. I didn't. I woke at 7:30 and decided that traffic would be too daunting at Memorial. Besides, I was done with people. I'd had enough interacting. Rice seemed to be a better choice for a more solitary run.

I tuned into NPR to listen to the news because I haven't taken time to download any new instrumental stuff. That's a goal for this week. No words. No memories. Not right now.

The Rice path is only wide enough for 3 walkers/runners abreast. I'm not sure why people don't fall back (if they're walking or running in a group of 3) and make room for an approaching runner. What's happened to manners? Is there some sort of strength in numbers? It's only common sense, isn't it?

There were so few people on the path that it wasn't a case of crowding. I see this often. I see it happen to other people. It's not just me. It happens to bicyclists on the road, too. There, the safety issue is magnified.

This morning a couple was approaching me from the opposite direction and would need to pass a man who was also running toward me. Rather than wait for the man and I to pass each other, the couple kept running (side-by-side) and edged me off the path. I really don't get it.

Anyway...

Better things about this morning: A man rode by on a bike. It was an old fashioned Schwinn. Baskets in the front and back, all decked out with flowers. I shouted out to him. "Beautiful!" He smiled, waved, and kept on riding.

NPR reported on Fred Hersch and his return after battling AIDS. It's an inspiring story.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106979404

Today's run felt good. I'm going to use it to remind myself to do what's right, to treat others how I want to be treated and to keep what's really important in front of me at all times.