I have fallen into social running, and like to talk to runners on trails as I fall in with them. But I'm also 59.
I was doing nine miles on the hilly Custis Trail with John who was getting ready to run the ATM when we ran up on a thirty-something woman running the trail with her headsets on. She was wearing a shirt I absolutely recognized, the gray long sleeved tech shirt from the 2006 NYCM, which is my favorite marathon ever! Yeah, I did that race.
I overtook her and asked, "Did you run that race?"
She ignored me. I said, louder, "Your shirt. Did you run the 2006 New York City Marathon?"
Looking annoyed, she cast a glance in my direction and ripped out an ear bud. "Yes," she said.
I was abreast of her now. "I ran that race too," I said. "It was my favorite marathon."
She coolly said, without missing a beat, "I thought I recognized you."
I said, "Have a nice run," and pressed on. John caught up with me a minute later.
Her put-down was perfectly delivered and unanswerable. We had to stay ahead of her for the rest of our run.
She wasn't the greatest looker and I'll bet I beat her but she had a classic retort. I should have remembered that I never talk to runners I pass when they're wearing headphones.
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2 comments:
I've never actually seen a real runner with headphones.
I ran the 2006 NYCM too. Gee, and we didn't bump into each other? maybe we did, I just was not reading you then.
Some runners don't like to be bothered. I dont think it has anything to do with age. I normally nod at everyone I encounter (unless it's in Central Park in which case you would have a neck cramp at the end of the run), but many people don't reply.
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