My left toe was hurting slightly. Probably a tissue strain. A light sprain. It's not enough to keep me away from running but still... I knew I'm not 100%.
So the negotiation and the inner dialog began.
ME: Will you leave me stranded?
LEFT TOE: Depends. You can see I'm not 100%.
ME: I know but I trust you. I trust my body.
LT: Thanks. But remember what Reagan has said: trust but verify.
ME: Seriously, how about a 5K? It's only 95F out there! (Wink)
LT: Suit yourself but take it easy.
ME: I will since you're the only left toe I've got.
LT: Go slow and I'll keep up with you. Haven't I supported you in the past? How many years it's been? 50? 60?
ME: You know my age. OK, I take it easy anyways. I'm running for pure enjoyment, you know that.
LT: I know. I sometimes wish you also had these trophies and medals with red ribbons hanging on the wall but it doesn't matter. I know you run because you truly love to run.
CUT TO: Later on the road. 1 mile into a 3.2 mile run.
ME: Hey, thanks for hanging in there...
LT: What do you think so far? I don't hurt that bad, right?
ME: Bearable. I think warming up helps and as you can see I'm trying to distributed the load more towards my heel.
LT: I'm cool. C'mon, I can take it. You can lean more on me.
ME: Yeah but I don't wanna pay for that by taking a month off of running. I'll take it easy, as I promised earlier.
LT: Appreciate that. On days like this I'm not sure if I were created for running or not.
ME: Just help me another couple of miles and we're done.
LT: Do I have another choice?
CUT TO: After 3.2 miles...
ME: Hey, we did it!
LT: Of course. You were like, what? 15 minutes a mile? If you walked you'd have been faster.
ME: I told you, I'm not after a "record" or anything. I'm after the PRESENT, THIS TIME that I spend with you, on the road, enjoying this solitude, one man running in 95F weather with not a single sane person or creature in sight.
LT: Next time get your iPod with you.
ME: And what should I listen to?
LT: Why? "Lean on Me," of course...
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