Things have really changed. In 1969 I was out running in the snow and a person just could not understand why I did not need a ride

A friend of mine, Brent Weigner who has run a marathon or beyond in more countries than anybody, posted a list of the 25 worse questions to ask a runner on FB today.  Some of the questions included, "How far is your marathon," "Why would you need so many running shoes," "Is running safe at your age," and "Do you need a ride?"  That last one reminded me of a story that happened to me in the winter of 1969 when I lived in Manhattan, Kansas (before I moved to California).  It was snowing and there was about four inches already on the ground.  It was about 25 degrees and I wanted to get in five miles.  I put on a few layers and hit the road.  Outside of town, after about two miles, a woman with a baby in the back pulled alongside in her car and asked if she could give me a ride.  I told her I was just running and did not need a ride. "Thanks for asking," I said.  Then she asked where was I going.  "It is cold out and I can get you there much faster," she said.  I told her again that I was running and did not need a ride.  As she pulled away she said, "Are you sure you don't need a ride? It is cold out."  She drove about a quarter of a mile down the road and pulled over again.  At this point I was thinking of turning around because now she was really messing up my run but I kept going.  As I approached the car she yelled out, "Are you sure you don't want a ride?"  This time I just ran by like I was running away from a dog.  She met well but she just could not understand that I was just running.  Things have changed.  That was 1969.

posted Friday June 1st
by Bob Anderson