Roses are red
And the air was blue
There’s no fool like an old fool
Overtaking teenagers times two
Another day of enforced rest due to migraine – boo hiss, so today after taking the nuclear tablet option of migraine cures, I was able to go out for a run in the early evening.
I’d decided on a quick 6/7km and blimey it was muggy, it felt like running through a wet blanket. Good news was my pace was blindingly fast, in fact according to Mechanical Voice Lady on Map My Run, I managed my first km in just 1 second. Aha, a significant GPS failure. I pressed restart and it wasn’t any better, so I decided to use a route I’d done before and just take the timings manually.
I passed the man with the missing dog – this time his dog was present and correct. Socially, we’ve now progressed to nodding, a smile and saying the ‘Salve’ greeting. All was quiet and in the distance I could see two runners, evidently quite young, one wearing fluoro and proper running shoes, the other some fashion baseball boot type shoes and baggy shorts down to his knees.
Coincidentally, they seemed to be going my way, or rather I was going theirs. After a while I caught up with them, not deliberately I hasten to add, I was beyond the toxic 10s and in a good rhythm. I ended up about 3 steps behind them and they were going at that really irritating speed that meant I’d end up looking at adolescent acne’d neck for all of my run, unless I did something about it.
Not in too much of a hurry, I switched to the opposite side of the road and overtook them. Evidently that hit the teenage boys’ egos hard, and I could hear them talking together. About 10 seconds later, baggy shorts boy overtook running shoes boy and pressed down on his accelerator and away they zoomed. Baggy shorts boy was the pacemaker I think. I was the tail walker in comparison. It did make me smile, but in fairness to me I reckon they were about 13/14, so I am at least 4 times their age. And they had longer legs. That will teach me to be a smart arse runner – Stupid Tart Syndrome strikes again.
I continued at my own slower pace and came across another dog walker – well the dog looked more like a wolf to be honest. This was not a recognisable mutt nor owner, but this isn’t my usual time for running, so maybe I was unrecognisable to him too.
I finished my run and walked up Argo’s loop home and saw the beautiful roses above, and they matched my face perfectly. It was both red from exertion and embarrassment.
I vow that the next time I see acne, long legs and baggy shorts I am just going to mind my own business, slow down, and not try an overtaking manoeuvre.
Have you ever done something a bit silly (along the lines above), that you regretted afterwards? Or is it just me?
Playlist
Dancing Queen – ABBA
Mamma Mia – ABBA
Money, Money, Money – ABBA
Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake
Mr Brightside – The Killers
Upside Down – Paloma Faith
Darling Nikki – His Purple Highness
Disco 2000 – Pulp
Marvin Gaye – Puth and Traynor
Modern Love – David Bowie
Night Fever – Bee Gees
Is Vic There – Department S
Rio – Duran Duran
You Love Us – The Manics
Cabron – Red Hot Chilis
Stats
Distance 7.16km
Time 47:49
Average Pace 6:40
Elevation Gain 64metres
Alzheimer’s Challenge
Kms Run 928.13
Kms To Be Done 1089.87
