Who Are You?

I decided to run outside today. You know how I feel about running. But, the weather today (3/28/2010) was simply inspiring. Running outside is wayyyy better than running on a machine-- provided the weather is not a deterent.

Running outside, however, means running in public. So, I ask you, "What do you think when you see someone out for a run?" Only you can answer for you. But, here's one answer: it's a little like driving a hybrid. Driving a hybrid means you paid extra for a vehicle that gets better fuel economy CITY MPG than a typical gas vehicle. Lots better. In fact, better than many average vehicles get on the highway. But, if you do the math, you'll never likely own the vehicle long enough for that improved gas mileage to pay for the premium price. So, you do it for the benefit of... something else. The environment, for example.

And that is the conundrum, my friend. See, in making the decision for the benefit of something besides yourself, you (knowingly or not) inform everyone that sees your decision that you made such a decision. Those who are concerned about the environment applaud that. Yay! Those who have NOT reached such a decision, however, are somewhat offended. Boo!

And that can happen with public displays of exercise, too. Simply by doing it, you send the message that you have put into action something that, statistically, most people have not. Many of those who have not, kinda think they should, but haven't yet. Then, there are those who are so far away from taking that step themselves that they are offended. The fact that you even exercise at all offends them. The fact that you are exercising in front of them really ticks them off.

But, what are you going to do about it?

I said all of that to tell you this story: So, I was out for a run on this beautiful day and I was about 80% done when I ran past this house. In front of the house was a pile of old boards. Carrying an armful of those boards was a dude who yells to me as I ran by, "If you're feeling so ambitious, why don't you help me out here?"

Now, I told you all of that so that when I say that I knew what he was thinking, you know that I knew what he was thinking. So, I just smiled, and non-chalantly replied, "Well, I could... You should have caught me before I started." And just kept running.

But, I couldn't NOT think about that as I finished my run. And when I run, I end up where I started, which is home. So, I went inside, drank some water, grabbed my cap and some gloves, and casually jogged back over to his house. A) it wasn't that far, and B) it was a productive way to cool down.

Freaked him out. He was still working on his pile of wood when I got there. I just walked up and asked where he was hauling it. "Uh... just around to the back..." and then, "...So, why are you helping me?"

Big grin on my face. "Why not?"

It only took a few minutes. We talked a little. He has a wood burning stove. He'll burn the wood for heat. Actually, it is a really cool antique. 1906. He showed it to me. He explained how he had the fire department check it out and how all he had to do was change the venting a little. When the pile was moved, I just wished him well and ran back home.

Because, you see, he had a point: Running does take some ambition. But, I am the primary beneficiary of that ambition. I could be the ONLY beneficiary of that ambition. And what good is it for me to be healthy if it only benefits me? What good does it do for me to live longer if I am only living for myself?

He may have been joking, but he asked for help. I was more than capable of helping, so why should I not help him? I was publicly displaying my capacity to help, so why should he not ask? Or why should he not expect a positive response?

Because it just doesn't happen very often.

Because I did, now I have this little story to tell. Cool. But I didn't go for a run so that I could find something to write about. Who benefits from my running? Why be healthy? Why live longer? Children? Spouse? Friends?

Children don't need another relative. They need a Dad. A wife doesn't need another relative, she needs a husband. My employer doesn't need another clock-puncher, they need efficient, profitable, productivity.

And complete strangers? Well, if they need a helping hand...