So, I’m running, right?

Yeah, Bob, and the sun came up this morning. What else is new?

Well shut up, inner voice. I will start my blogs the way I start my blogs.

……………………………

Damn right, ……………………,

BTW, my inner voice is the ONLY person I can intimidate…..

…..but I digress….

This was yesterday. I was in Hartford, Connecticut, getting ready to close out the week of performances with a 2 show day. I went running to wake myself up and get a little cardio work in. Also to ponder a certain section of one of my songs that I’ve suddenly developed a “crack” in ( spoiler alert, the section was fine in the matinee and then went “crack!” in the evening show). Stupid singing voice, you’d think that after 230 performances you’d kind of have everything worked out. Oh well, who wants to be bored)…

Anyway. I’m out running. During this tour I’ve discovered that if you’re looking for a running trail, find a river. Earlier in the week I found the river trail. That was on my long run, which last week was 14 kilometers. Yes, I am getting ready for a half, if all goes well. 2 weeks of 14, 2 of 15, 2 of 16….you get the idea. But Sunday was just 6k.

Don’t you love how runners will throw a “just” in front of whatever distance they run. I promise, we’re not just doing it to be jerks. At least not entirely…..

….Wow, a 2 digression blog. Coolio. Now where was I……

YES! Running on this trail along the river in Hartford Conn. It’s early in the day but it’s warm, so the shirt’s off. If you know me, I would just have to say “it was warm” and the shirt part would be understood. I’m out there, minding my own business, got the tunes playing in my Shokz headphones.

Which, BTW, is NOT an endorsement. I love my Shokz, and have used them for 10+ years, back when they were “AfterShokz”, so it’s been a minute. I wouldn’t use any other headphones, even though there are other “bone conduction” headphones out there. However, I’m not endorsing them. Why? Because several years back they were asking for “your running Shokz stories” and I sent them the true story of how wearing my Shokz saved me from a close encounter with the business end of a rattlesnake. Great story if you haven’t heard it, btw. Their response was, “Very cool! ” , or something like that. “Sent us your mailing address and we’re going to put something in the mail for you”. I’m thinking “Oh cool, some Shokz swag! Maybe a shirt, a bag, maybe a new set of headphones….? Who knows….

….Nothing. Nada, Niente….

So I love Shokz. I use Shokz. But I won’t endorse Shokz.

I hold grudges.

I know. I’ll get there. Give me a minute.

I’m running, shirt off, listening to my tunes. Then, because I’m using the bone conduction headphones and my ears are uncovered ( NOT an endorsement) I hear …

“Can I run with you?”.

I look back, There a dude. Young, fit, shirtless. I’m thinking several things;

1st, “Yeah, by the looks of you, you could run circles around me”

2nd, “I’m not looking for conversation, companionship, or anything else that a young fit runner type guy might be looking for.

But what am I going to say, “No, go away! Can’t you see I’m antisocial!” So I say “sure”. But I don’t take my headphones off, I don’t engage in conversation. I just keep running. And this mystery runner just shadows me, about 10 feet behind.

I run for a while, look back, there he is.

I run for a while, look back, there he is.

We’re not talking. Not really interacting at all. He’s just behind me. My shadow.

Fine. If that’s the way you’re going to be. Knock yourself out. But I’m not turning this into a pleasant Sunday conversation. Or speed dating. I’m out for a cardiovascular workout, dammit!

Then my Strava app tells me, through my bone conduction headphones which shall not be named, that I’ve hit 3 kilometers. I’m doing 6 this morning, so I’m at my turnaround point. So I circle and say to my shadow “this is where I head back”.

His reply “OK. that works for me. I wondered how far you were going.” He’s just…pleasant. There’s no obvious agenda, no needy look or sound.

Why am I being a jerk?

So I turn off the headphones ( easily done, just push / hold a button ) And the conversation starts with the fact that it’s a beautiful day for a run, which it was. It turns out that my shadow’s name is Gabriel. He’s a local and he’s into his fitness, and trying to get a start with creating a fitness instruction / motivation space online. Well, who do we know that has been in that very space since October of 2018? Yeah.

So I give him my perspective, while sharing with him that in all the time I’ve been doing it, I’ve generated 0 income and somewhere south of micro-influencer status. But what I do share with him is that I do it as much for me as for anyone whom I might educate or motivate. I hope people pick up the occasional pearl of knowledge or inspiration, but I don’t let that guide my steps. I put it out there, and hope that the good karma gets spread around.

Gabe already has good karma. He’s positive, and has his own story to tell. And maybe hearing that someone else just “gets on with it” will inspire him to do the same.

I hope so.

So we get to the end of the run, share well wishes, and go our separate ways. No “here’s my email” or “digits” or any of that. I tell him about this site, and maybe he will take a look. If you do, Gabe, God bless and I hope you do share your story. It’s think it’ll be good for you, and you never know who’s life you may influence for the better.

And as for me, maybe this will teach me to open up to other people a bit more, and to not be quite so buried in my own little world.

As for the people at Shokz?

I’m still waiting,

Talk Later,

Bob