| 013 | Need a Ride? | 2008-12-01 |
I run every day, regardless of the weather. When it is raining I have trouble getting started on a run, but once I am thoroughly soaked, it’s actually fun to run in the rain.
A great story that happened to me a few years back happened while I was running in the rain:
Winters in Tennessee are cold and wet. Not cold enough to bring snow, but wet enough to bring misery.
This December morning was a normal one in Tennessee. Dutifully I watched the weather looking for a break in the rain but, finally, due to time constraints had to go ahead and do it. I dressed in an old pair of running shoes, a billed cap, and full rain suit to brave the conditions. Hesitantly I tested the waters and soon was jogging up the first hill. By the time I reached the top I had warmed my body temperature to a suitable temperature and my soul regained the joys of running.
It began raining harder as I reached a busy four lane road. The road had a good shoulder and wasn’t bad for running even though it seemed as if vehicles were trying to splash me.
As it continued to pour a large new sedan pulled up next to me and the driver opened the door.
Immediately I wondered how lost could this person be that they would stop me in the rain to ask for directions, but to my surprise that was not the case.
“I don’t know where you are going but I’ll take you!” exclaimed the driver. He was an older gentleman and his car was immaculately kept.
I looked at him, puzzled and replied, “no, I am running.”
“I know, get in and I’ll take you,” he said.
“No, I am running,” I even added a stand in place jog type motion to help him understand.
“Nobody deserves to be out in this rain, come on let’s go.”
He was not understanding what I was saying. So I changed the verb, “no, I am jogging, you know exercising.”
Stunned he shook his head and said, “okay, I was just trying to help.”
I shut his door to seal off his leather interior and ran away, he honked as he passed.
I never saw the man again, but he truly thought that I was in need and was trying to help. What a great example of human kindness.
Now, I think of him every time I run in the rain. The only thing I do different is that I have tried to pick up my pace to look a little more serious about my efforts. I still can’t believe he didn’t originally think I was running for exercise.
Happy wet trails.