Running...in blue jeans?

Well, I wasn't intending to run today (well I was, but then I slept in and wasn't thinking I'd be able to get out of work early for a run...), but needless to say I escaped at 2! I got in a nice three miler, it was hot but there was a nice breeze. I should have worn sunscreen though - 30 minutes in the 3 o'clock sun did me in. My sunburn was definitely not the most interesting part of the run though :)

I've seen this man once before when I was on the 2nd half of an early morning run, I think it was bike to work day a few weeks back. He was running in jeans and a short sleeved dress shirt, and I wrote it off as a fluke. Today when I turned onto the trail near our apartment there he was again, shuffling along - sometimes he was going so slow it looked like he was walking or at a dead standstill, then he'd pick up the pace again and be off like a shot. Did I mention that his attire of choice on this 90 some degree day was again a pair of blue jeans and a button down? I followed him for the first 1.5 miles of the run and our paths crossed at the turn-around, I said hello as I normally do when I pass another runner and he said Hi back, then was on his way. I followed him the 1.5 miles back to where I turned toward home, and watched him run off into the distance from the corner of my eye. I didn't notice the heat today, because I was so intrigued. Where was he running to? Does he go back to work in his sweaty clothes? My running clothes smell, badly - so how do his jeans hold up? Tell me again why he was running in jeans in the first place? I of course was too bashful (and maybe a bit afraid?) to run even with him and strike up a conversation, so my curiosity lives on.

The stranger in blue jeans did remind me of how lucky I am to be a runner. To be in love with the most pure of sports - all you need is a pair of shoes (or not depending on your geography) and you're off. I wonder if I'll come across the man again, and maybe next time I'll get some answers to these oh so intriguing questions. Until then, I'm content to share the silent comraderie of the road, run on nameless friend - your stride may not be even but it reminds me that running isn't about being first or wearing flashy clothes - it's truly about putting one foot in front of the other, even when it hurts (or is a billion degrees and you're wearing long pants).

Mini-rant: I'm not sure how I feel about the whole Adam Goucher situation. (Adam is an amazing athlete and no doubt entitled to his shot at an Olympic berth - I'm rooting for him to make it and then will root for him and his wife Kara during the Olympics. ) Sure, maybe the USATF let him into the 10,000 (if it's them who truly makes the last call on race entries) because they wanted a competitive field - maybe they made a decision that as a seasoned competitor he could rise to the occasion and represent the US better than the newcomers. But as the person who's never been an "elite" runner, has always been a top 20 upper-mid pack finisher, my heart goes out to those 7 men who ran a faster qualifying time than him but won't step onto the track for their chance at an Olympic berth. I don't know that the USATF can overturn the rankings and let one of these men instead of Adam, I don't know if that's the right move at the right time, but I feel that something needs to be done to clean up the system - wasn't that what Pre fought for so many years ago? Even Joan Samuelson fought for the right of those who are qualified and trained to run in the race - why are the officials turning a blind eye to those principles now? http://tracktrials.runnersworld.com/2008/07/its-a-slow-day.html?cm_re=HP-_-Top_
Features_Related-_-Lawsuit%20in%20Eugene?

Rant over, just in time for So You Think You Can Dance - FYI, Josh/Katee/Kherington/and Twitch are all tied for #1 in my mind!